Time To Apply Your TAN!!!

Last week I was involved in a photo shoot. Now before any event that is going to require me to show a little skin... I like to have at least a little bit of color on my skin. Now, based on the blatant dangers of overexposing from the sun and tanning beds,

I am trying to stay away from conventional indoor tanning... and a few years ago I discovered the wonderful, incredible, amazing VERSA Tan!

This is the fastest, prettiest, airbrush tan(that doesn't require you to strip naked in front of a complete stranger to be sprayed), if you have the time to get to the tanning salon... It's not exactly cheap, but for special occasions, it's wonderful!

Now - this will only last for about 6 days. So two days ago I was leaving town with the boys to go to VA Beach to play a show. Now based on the limited amount of skin that is covered in my stage wardrobe, I decided I better freshen up my tan a bit.

But I didn't have time to make a return trip to the tanning salon for another VERSA Spray - so what's a girl to do?

Do it Yourself!

Now after MANY failed attempts, I have now learned the art of applying a flawless "Self Tan"... And there are truly "Do's" and "Don'ts" when it comes to this art form!

No one wants to end up looking like this, well, maybe the subjects in the photos like this look... but it's usually not preferred by most...

So I thought I would share my process here..

Now - I will not be sharing a VIDEO of me applying Self Tanning Lotion, as I do recommend that you do this in the NUDE... and give yourself a few minutes to dry also in this state - so I will be using some visual aids, thanks to Google Images.

1. Start with clean, preferably freshly EXFOLIATED skin.

2. Apply regular moisturizing CREAM or LOTION to anything on your body that BENDS.
Meaning- Knees, Ankles, Armpits, Wrists, Elbows, Toes, Palms of Hands, Fingers...etc.
Don't completely rub into skin, leave a little extra on these areas for full application.

 You can use plastic gloves if you like, but I personally find them to be more of a pain than than a help...

3. Apple Self Tanning Lotion or Gel ONE SECTION of your body AT A TIME. Meaning - one arm to the shoulder, then your shoulders and chest, then the other arm... etc... breaking it down into sections makes sure that you fully blend it in to prevent any streaking.

Below are some of my personal favorite products... I prefer to use gel products that are tinted so that I can see where I am applying the color - that way there's not as much guess work. I also like to use a med-dark tanner... I personally don't find that I get enough color from a "Light", and the "Deep" usually looks good for about 2 days, and then starts to wear off in "splotchy" patches if you don't have enough of a base tan to begin with.

 And if you are REALLY fair, or scared that you will end up looking like a Jersey Shore cast member -
you can use the lotions that are very diluted that you can use over several days to "Build" your tan...

However - I'm usually not patient enough to wait 3 days to get the "desired color" as the instructions suggest.

4. Mix a DIME SIZE amount of lotion with a DIME SIZE amount of tanning gel in the palm of your hand. Blend this over the top of your feet, and in between your toes. Repeat this process on the top of your hands.

5. Next thoroughly WASHING the palms of your hands, and in between your fingers .... (Unlike the photo, I wouldn't fully wash the top of your hands)

 6. Finish by thoroughly drying your hands and wiping in between fingers...

I also like to finish by adding a little more moisturizing lotion to hands and feet just to make sure that all the color is evenly blended. And finally, make sure that you allow enough time (about 10 minutes) to dry before dressing. And I would not suggest that you plan on wearing lighter clothing, most self tanners can stain clothing.

7. Let the tanner develop for anywhere from 3 - 5 hours. Read the instructions on packaging... and it will instruct you of exactly how long the specific tanner will need to stay on your skin. 

And finally, all self tanning products omit an odor. There is pretty much no way around it.
The ingredient dihydroxyacetone [DHA] is in basically all self tanners and is what creates the color on your skin as time elapses. This is also what creates the terrible smell...So I would recommend that you try to do this when you can stay at home for a few hours, or you will be going somewhere where you aren't going to be concerned with how you smell.

And that's it...

Hopefully this will help you to have a beautiful, golden glow!


-CH