The Perfect Self Tan for Spring!

The birds are chirping, the days are longer, the weather is getting warmer---Spring is near! Don't panic, I have tips and products to give you a beautiful, natural (did you go for a weekend trip to the beach?) faux tan. So relax, get a pedi, follow these tips, and you're ready to go!!!

Here's what you will need:

• Nylon Gloves (the purple or blue ones from medical store, or the kind for hair coloring--beauty supply store)
• Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer in Fair to Medium or Medium to Tan (base the color on the color of your skin now, not the color you want to be--this is only your base coat)
• 2 cosmetic sponges (I like the round ones best)
• Self-Tanning Lotion (best for beginners), Mousse (intermediate), or Spray (wait until you've mastered the technique--these are the hardest to see where applied, and the least forgiving)

My favorites L to R: Lancome Flash Bronzer Anti-Age (face), Mystic Tan Sunless Tanning Spray, Mystic Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion, St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer in Medium to Tan, Glow Fusion Face and Body Spray, South Seas Tahitian Tan Solution (this is an airbrush solution that I use to customize my own lotion--see below), DuWop Revolution (wash off skin tint, great for correcting streaks), Jergens Natural Glow Face


Self tanning products work best when you apply them right after you shower. If you have time to exfoliate, that's great, if not, its OK. Towel drying is a light exfoliant. As soon as you dry off, put on your gloves, then apply the Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer. This step will moisturize any dry patches, and give you a base coat of a light color. (It's kind of like putting a coat of primer on the wall before you paint it!) I usually start with legs, then go arm, chest/neck, arm, back, stomach. Make sure to cover all surfaces (your arms actually have about 5 surfaces, this is the hardest body part to do properly, make sure you apply evenly all over. Make sure when doing underside of arm to cover wrist, stopping at palm of hand--do not apply on palm). Use sponge to apply a light coat to top of hands , and to blend on wrist and sides of thumb, down to wrist. (just pull gloves up a little, apply, then put glove back down) and to tops of feet. Wait about 2 minutes to dry.

Second, going in the same sequence as before, apply self tanning product of your choice. Make sure to rub in well, in circular motions. Apply to all body parts as mentioned above. Use sponge again for hands and feet. **Tinted tanning products are the easiest to use here, you can see them as you apply, its easier to catch any streaks and blend, when they are tinted.** Do not apply to face.

Third, using second cosmetic sponge, apply Facial self tanning lotion (I always use lotion for face, its just too risky to use the foam or spray here!), to entire face--blending down chin, into neck. Don't forget to blend into your hairline, and to apply self tanning lotion to ears also. This area is usually forgotten, which looks unnatural.

Fourth, wait about 5-10 minutes to dry (I usually only make it 5), then get dressed.

I find that this entire process works best at night. I shower, and self-tan right before bed. That way I can put on PJ's, which are OK if a little of the tint rubs off on. The tan can develop overnight, and I can shower in the morning, and check for streaks then. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS IF YOU HAVE WHITE SHEETS, IT WILL COME OFF ON THEM. *If you do notice streaks, after showering, rub the dark areas lightly with a washcloth, to buff away some of the color. After drying, apply another coat of the Jergens before getting dressed, to blend.

If you want to customize your own lotion colors, you can use a body moisturizer (Johnson's deep hydrating lotion, for example) and mix with an airbrush tanning solution. I buy a hair color mixing bottle from Sally's Beauty Supply, and mix them together in it. Mix 1 part solution to 3 parts lotion for a gradual tan, mix equal parts for a custom tanning lotion. You can also mix the solution with the Jergens Natural Glow. If you want really hardcore color, put the airbrush solution in a spray bottle (use one for fine mist--such as for hair products, and spray on after your base coat. This last tip is FOR ADVANCED SELF TANNERS, please :) I have been self tanning for 10 years, and this one is still a little tricky!

Hope this helps you have a tan and happy spring and summer!!

All of these products have been purchased by me.