Summer is fast approaching, it’s time to get our bods tanning ready so we don’t look like pale ghostly individuals around those bronze healthy looking people…
Here’s the thing…..I leave early next year to go on our company annual incentive trip to a small island in Thailand and I need to speed up the process. I look dreadfully pale, and not in a wispy porcelain beautiful elegant kind of way, but rather I look sickly.
Now, for me anyway, I look healthy with a tan. I normally go a nice brown and tan easily but I haven’t been in the sun properly for over a year, nor have I used any self-tanning products. The major pros for me getting a tan – I look healthier, my skin looks gorgeous, I can wear white summer dresses again, and it hides my cellulite making me look slimmer.
So there are three basic ways to get a tan:
There is the natural way, spending an amazing day laying out in the sun getting a natural tan and lathering up the beautiful rays. Now don’t scream at me, I’m not promoting skin cancer etc, but some sun is good for you and with proper protection you can get a really great glow. There are some amazing products out there that protect the skin and help you tan, some amazing tanning oils. I prefer Tropitone Deep Tan Dry Oil as they smell amazing, cheap and make you look great while you are tanning. It has a SPF of 6, has coconut oil to accelerate the tanning while moisturising the skin, plus it comes in a great pump strap bottle. Cost +/- R65
Another product I have used and like:
Australian Gold Tanning Accelerator – R220. I’ve heard (but never seen ) that Jwoww has amazing oil bronzers under this brand. Let me know if you see it.
Sun beds, Tan Cans, etc….Now I do use these on some occasions, my favourite spot would probably be Bronze in Gardens Cape Town. I would stop in there for 7mins after work. Here I could choose which machine I wanted (different heat levels ) in a private room. Each machine is cleaned between each person. You can strip down and enjoy a full tan in a little circular capsule while they play current tunes. I loved these 5-10 mins sessions! Dancing in this machine, forgetting my woes and getting a tan! There are other places that do this including Virgin active (Solarscape) it isn’t as expensive as most people think, but don’t go if you are claustrophobic! Cost R8 per minute from bronze.
Spray /cream self-tanners… you can go and get this done professionally or do this yourself. Honestly it costs the same price initially as you have to buy the products and everything. If it is your first time or you are going to a special event, please go to a professional! To many times my friends and I have looked orange or had streaks at an event. That Mr Murphy always makes you mess up when you need it to be perfect.
My favourite is Caribbean Tan ( the scrub is amazing and I use it even when I am not going to use the stray tan after – Pre tan body exfloia –R50). It’s a spray can than goes on easy and you can choose how dark you want to go. It sprays on evenly. Remember to watch your elbows, knees, hands and feet – these are always your tell tale areas. It’s also best to ask a friend to spray you rather than doing your self. This helps you get your entire back, stops from spraying too close to your body and gets an even tan. Your mate can do you and then you can return the favour. My choice would be Tan in a Can Cost R90 or tan in a can gradual skin cost R90. It’s one of the best and one of the cheaper options too.
I also have used and like:
• L’Oreal Sublime Bronze R500
• Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Self Tanner R355
• St Tropez Mousse R225
• Lancaster Self Tanner R190
• Clinique Self Sun R310
So if you get busy like me and haven’t had time to get a tan yet but don’t want to be seen all ghostly pale in your cozzi this summer – go try one of the options above and show off your amazing bikini clad body!
Article by: Hayley Vann
http://www.beautybulletin.com/blog-directory/our-bloggers/hayley-vann