Tanning Ways
I'm finally getting around to answer one of the most frequently asked questions that I get emailed about....
TANNNING!
You will notice in my photos that 90% of the time I tend to have a tan. You will also notice, if you look, that the comments all ask about what tanner I use, if I tan in a bed & how I keep my color! I am here now to share it all one ONE post to make it easy!
ps. These photos throughout the post are ones that got the most traffic about just my tan, so I figured I'd throw them in!
When I was in high school I was an avid user of the tanning bed, then as I got into my senior year, an occasional spray tan for events. I stopped tanning so much once I moved to Tennessee, but began spray tans at a local Sun Tan City here in town. I would get one or two a month just to keep a glow during the winter months.
Once I began the blog & more modeling opportunities came my way, I began getting a tan about every week, working with my schedule. When time slows down, I like to do my own tans with some of my favorite products that I have found to work the best!
To shop these items directly, just click on the photo & it will lead you to the site to buy it! OR at the end, all the items will be on the LIKETOKNOW.it link/collage!
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Facial PREP
First you will want to get your skin ready for the tanning solutions, no matter which one you decide to go with. I like to use a really good exfoliator to do away with any dead skin.
I swear by the philosophy microdelivery peel! I have used it for years now, every couple weeks. The citrus combination reaction helps to exfoliate, cleanse, hydrate & brighten your face. It prepares your skin to be soft & moisturized for the tanning solution to set into your skin evenly.
It is a little bit more expensive, but it lasts forever & the results are amazing!
For a cheaper solution you can go for the St. Ives Blemish Control exfoliator.
Same idea, just a bit cheaper. As long as you get a good one that works well with your skin!
BODY PREP
Just like we did for the face, you want to do the same for your body. You can use your fluffy little lufa & favorite smell good soap. Or you can get in there real good & get an actual salt or sugar exfoliator.
This last one is my absolute favorite! I use just a little amount each time & it goes a long way! It smells amazing as well.
You can get it for just $6 at Walmart!
Next, you need to be sure to moisturize with your body lotion of your choosing. Whether it is your Bath & Body Works body creme or a few pumps of St. Ive's from Walmart. Let your body soak it all up so that when your tanning solution hits, it will absorb smoothly & evenly.
Facial Tanning With facial tanning you have to be sure to be cautious of your skincare products, as well as your regimen. Find something that works in your routine & reacts well with your skin. Don't be breaking out & getting clogged pores just to have a nice tan. There are plenty of products out there that will be just right for you!
VersaSpa is one of my favorites for tanning. They are careful with your skin & the product works great! The facial tanner is a progressive tanning solution that you can add more of gradually to add a bit more color each time.
I used to use Jergen's Natural Glow facial lotion as my daily moisturizer, but it works so well that I was getting a natural tan with daily application. I use it every now & then because it truly is a great moisturizer as well.
Body Tanning
For the actual solution itself, I have a lot of options for y'all. It is just a matter of finding what is best for you & what you like the look of in the end.
St. Tropez is a very popular tanner! This set from Sephora has the full package with the glove as the applicator.
VersaSpa has great products that I have used for years now! They were so sweet to send me some at-home-products awhile back & it has still lasted me all this time, even though I use it so dang often. This particular one, however is my favorite! It gives instant color & blends very well.
For a gradual tan that you can darken as you go, Jargen's has a wonderful line of tanning products.
If you like the idea & use of tanning wipes more, Loreal body wipes are THE BEST! Be sure with the wipes that you apply evenly so that you do not have streaks & walk around looking like a tiger fresh off the beach.
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As my main tanning solution, I do love my Versa Spa Spray Tans from Sun Tan City, but to keep up with it as it fades, or in the summer when I already have some color, these products keep my skin glowing & my tan vibrant! Summer will be here soon & most of us have been stuck under fluorescent lights for far too long.
If you do decide to try out a spray tan at a tanning boutique or by a local spray tan artist, be sure to take of your skin before as well as after.
Exfoliate. Moisturize. Get your tan on! Then once that solution is set after a couple of hours, moisturize again to blend it all together!
Any of these wonderful products that you may decide to use for your pre-summer glow are all a better fix than laying in a tanning bed over & over & over like I tend to be guilty of.
Test out a few of the items mentioned & let me know what y'all think! I hope that this answers all of the questions that I have been asked & will help each of you get that sun-kissed-self tan!
XO, Shea Leigh