Sunless tanners and spray tans are one of the best ideas, and yet one of the most precarious. While it sounds great in theory, oftentimes we’re left with streaks, orange palms, and a funky, curiously hard-to-describe smell. Even worse, the color sometimes rubs off on clothes, towels, bedsheets, you name it. So why keep giving it a shot? Because the fact of the matter is, it’s one of the few ways to avoid living a miserably pasty life, and avoid skin cancer at the same time. Yippee! So before short skirts and tank tops start tiptoeing out of your wardrobe in the next few months, give some of these options a try, and for goodness sake use SPF no matter what you do!
Luxe:
Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel – $33
Photo: brebeauty.com
At 33 big ones for just a 4.4 oz bottle, Clarins had better make me look like I just stepped off a Caribbean cruise boat. The good news is, with proper application and well-exfoliated skin, it comes pretty darn close. Bad news is you didn’t really visit the Caribbean. Boo. Personally, I love the instant gel because even though it gives you some color initially, it will take a few applications to reach a significantly darker skin tone. Read: this is a GOOD thing! Just in case you have some streaking or you miss that weird spot on your back, gradual results mean it won’t be super obvious. Which is super nice. Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel is available at Sephora, and most department stores.
Mystic Tan – $35/session
If anyone has seen Going the Distance with Justin Long and Drew Barrymore, you may be too freaked out to try a spray tan. If
Photo: tropicalexposuretans.com
you haven’t seen the movie, watch the clip here, just because it’s hilarious. Done? Ok, if you’re still willing to brave it, Mystic Tan is the way to go. Although it’s expensive, it doesn’t require as much upkeep as a self-tanner, and if you can follow directions (unlike Mr. Long) the application will be nearly flawless. Darque Tan in San Antonio and Palm Beach Tan in Austin both offer Mystic Tan services, so give them a call if you’re feeling up to it!
Less:
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs – $14
Photo: sallyhansen.com
If you’ve been scarred by orange nails or a horrible first date due to the self-tan scent emanating from your body, Sally Hansen is a good option to just brush over minor imperfections in your skin tone. The tube is small, but goes a long way. It is a cheaper product so be sure to exfoliate, wash your hands immediately, and avoid wearing clothes for at least an hour aftewards. Don’t, however, expect to see a significant difference in the overall tint of your skin. Personally, I like this option for business outfits when I’m just not feeling the pantyhose. Does anyone really like wearing those god-awful things? Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs can be found at most drugstores.
Nivea Sun Touch Self-Tan Spray – $8.00
As a fair warning, I purchased this product while in Mexico and have
Photo: musingsonbeauty.com
just now gotten around to using it. The price is approximately what I would have paid in the U.S., so please don’t be mad if it happens to be different when you head to the drugstore. I love that this bottle offers the fool-proof spray-it-anyway-you-can method, since with my gargantuan long legs lotion can get a bit tricky. Not too mention I think everyone struggles with that one spot on their back. The downside to this product? It fulfills every stereotype about the icky self-tan aroma. Therefore, since it’s great in every other way, I highly suggest using this baby at night, and then showering in the morning to minimize the offensiveness. If you can do that, you’ll be bronzed and beautiful and smelling good!
What products do you recommend? Any SPF lotions to tell us about? We’re all about safe sun, so let us know!
XO,
A
