Faux Summer Glow

Advanced aging is so 2010, so begin faux tanning.

During the summer, we all want to be a glowing, bronzed goddess that belongs nowhere but the beach, but we don’t want to advance the aging process. The sun’s harmful rays cause wrinkles, dark spots, and even lead to skin cancer. Luckily, there is a way to get the desired summer tan without sacrificing your skin and health. Faux tanning is an easy and inexpensive way to get the color you dream of and can be achieved both at a salon or at home. Before you get started, be educated on the proper preparation and steps that must be taken to ensure you will get the best looking glow. Before all else, shower before bed (simple, right?). You’ll want to tan at night because the color will take several hours to develop; the best time for this is while you’re asleep. Still, there are important steps between the shower and the tanning application to avoid waking up ripe as an orange, so grab a pen and paper and take note.

Step 1: Exfoliate

After showering it’s time to exfoliate. This is one of the most important steps in the faux tanning process. When skin is not exfoliated prior to application, the tanning lotion can build up in certain spots more than others, creating a patchy look. In particular, make sure to exfoliate elbows and knees, as the tanner tends to saturate these areas more than others.

Step 2: Moisturize

Applying lotion to your body before tanning creates a base. Not only does this soften areas on the knees and elbows that might normally pick up more color, but it creates a smooth canvas for the most even application.

Step 3: Glove Up

After spreading heaps of lotion to your body, your hyper-moistured palms become the tanners main attraction, thus, the feared orange palms. Ladies, the latex glove is your new best friend. There are special tanning mitts, however latex has proven to be best. Squeeze the lotion directly onto the glove and apply it in circular motions while your hands remain clean.

Step 4: Dry Time

Unless you want tan clothes, we recommend you wait at least 20 minutes or more before getting in your PJ’s. Don’t sit on furniture, or lean against walls, either. A good way to kill time is to do your daily squats, arm circles, push ups–whatever little bit of healthy exercise you fancy, so long as it doesn’t require you to get down on the ground! Reading a magazine is always a good option, too. P.S. Use your worst sheets tonight–they will stain.

Step 5: Beauty Sleep

Time to rest. The application will set in overnight and when you wake, the color will have fully developed. Most tanners have an uncanny odor, and it is usually unpleasant. Shower first thing in the morning before you start your day.

Step 6: More Moisture

This should be no stranger to your daily routine; moisturize again after showering and at least once every day following the application. This prevents the skin from flaking or cracking to avoid a patchy-looking tan.

One of the most sought after faux tanners on the market is Jergens! The best? Jergens new Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse. This product as well as many other Jergens products are available at your local CVS store (one of Montclair’s CVS Pharmacy’s is located at 49 Claremont Ave.).

Here’s to a healthy and hot faux summer tan!

  beach, bronze, diy, faux tan, jergens, self tanner, tanning