While I wouldn’t say that I’m tanorexic, so to speak, and I never verge on the orange side of way too tan, I have to admit that I do enjoy my summer glow. It makes me look and feel healthier, sexier, thinner, and looks great against my favorite brightly-hued wardrobe pieces. But does it really have to be summer to rock a summer glow? Is being tan strictly a seasonal thing? Technically no, but there is something to be said about using self-tanner in moderation in the off-season!

Gradual self-tanners help you get and maintain that subtle glow without showing up at work one day looking an entirely different shade than the day before! Moisturize with a gradual self-tanning lotion and skin will be nourished, soothed, and firm while slowly but surely building an even sun-kissed tone. Let’s face it – unless you’re heading out to the tropics for the holiday season, you have no reason to look like you’ve spent a week at the beach in one go!

From left to right: St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Everyday Gradual Tan, Sisley-Paris Soleil San Soleil Self Tanning Lotion, purminerals Get a Little Self Tanning Lotion, and La Prairie Gradual Tanning Lotion.

- Alex Gambardella

*Guest beauty post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! from my friends at TheFind.com.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

E! already reigns supreme with their coverage of Hollywood glamour on the red carpet, and now the network has been lending its name to beauty brands (like Stila!) and fashion labels (like Adrianna Papell!) to help we non-celebrities channel our inner fashion icon. The latest hit from the E! Live From The Red Carpet collection is its collaboration with Xen-Tan.

The Perfect Blend Shimmer Bronzer is designed to help us get our glow on without visiting a salon, and aims to make it easy enough for us amateurs to get a streak-free, natural-looking tan from home! It even has a dial to help customize your tan, so application is disaster-free. Red Carpet frequenters Audrina Patridge, Holly Madison, Karina Smirnoff, and E! correspondent Lisa Rinna all swear by the spray-on blend because it delivers a natural-looking glow that still makes an impact from afar and in photos, and doesn’t have that yucky canned-tan smell of many bronzing mists. If it’s good enough for the notoriously unforgiving red carpet, I’m certainly willing to give it a try!

- Alex Gambardella

Guest beauty post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! from my friends at TheFind.com.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

With the short spurt of warmer weather last week, I got the itch for Spring. Yet there is nothing worse than wanting to wear a skirt only to have pasty, snow white legs. That’s when self-tanning is in order and I decided to give L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion a try. I’m a fan of L’Oreal products and since they make purchasing easy (completely affordable at $10 and found at my local CVS) it was definitely worth a shot. However, this time around I realized the $36 for Aqua Tan’s Body Milk really outbeat the results of this product.

Sublime Bronze is said to have “instant action” which really appears to be more of it first being a “tinted lotion” while the rest of it works with the pigmentation of your skin over the course of a few applications to bring out the tan color. And it really looked just like that–tinted lotion laying on my skin. I’m surprised that Mica is not listed among the ingredients as the lotion is full of glittery specs (or micro-particles), and quite honestly, overloaded with these shiny pieces. So much so that my hands appeared to be covered in a sheet of gold. That’s really not a realistic appearance of a sun-kissed look to me. Not to mention getting it all over my clothes.

On the plus side, Sublime Bronze didn’t have the typical self-tanner fragrance that most are known for. It was scented more like the perfume you would find on the counter’s at Macy’s. I don’t mind perfumey products, but someone with a fragrance allergy might. Still, if I was going to look like a glitter-fest from the early 90′s (remember rubbing sparkly products on yourself before hitting the clubs?) at least I smelled pretty.

I allowed the lotion to absorb and dry and then put on my jeans as usual and went about my day. Then at night as I slipped off my pants I noticed that the self-tanning had gone awry. At the upper part of my calves where my jeans bunch up when I sit, there was a very noticeably “ring” of brown around my leg–about 2 inches thick in diameter. It even duplicated the way my jeans look creased and folded at certain points in the ring. No where else on my legs were there any sign of self tanner except at this muscular portion of my calf–not even at my knee where self tanner loves to go overboard and look dark. I was mortified and a bit embarrassed. Thank goodness the temperature took a dip because there was no way I could wear anything other than pants now. It took about 7 days for the discoloration to go away and that was with scrubbing my legs with some fabulous exfoliators trying to will it away.

Now I know how to self tan–cleansing and exfoliating the skin before applying the product, allowing the product to absorb and dry before putting on your clothes; I’ve used self tanner plenty of times.  It’s disappointing to have to say that this is not a good self tanner. I’m sticking with my original statement that Aqua Tan’s Body Milk is really the best self tanner out there.

Have you tried L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze? Was your experience similar or different?

Other self-tanning posts on A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm)

• Self Tanning Tips from Dera Enochson, creator of Xen-Tan
• Aqua Tan Self Tanning Body Milk
• Aqua Tan Clear Self Tanning Treatment for Faces
• Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

If you are looking in the mirror lately and see dull, drab skin staring back at you, then some self tanning may be in order. We all know there is a right way and wrong way to self tan, as evidenced by those Sunkist-orange type ladies we often giggle to ourselves about. So why not get some tips from someone who created a self tanning brand herself? Dera Enochson, tanning Expert and creator of the Xen-Tan self-tanning collection, is sharing her tips on creating the perfect, natural looking self-tan with product recommendations to boot.

Tips for tanning face and throat: (don’t be the tan face, white neck girl!)

· Gently exfoliate the face by using a scrub or even a cleanser and a washcloth to slough off dead skin cells.

· Apply face tanner in a circular motion to skin on face and throat. Daily self tan works best on the throat area if you have trouble with self tan blotching. (Try Xen-Tan’s daily tanner- TRANSFORM)

· For blending self tanner into your hairline, apply self tan lotion onto fingertips and use an up and down motion to feather into hairline

· For instant bronzing or contorting the cheek bones, add a little extra tanner to cheek area for additional color

Tips for body: (Remember, a good tan is like your favorite dark pants…it makes you appear slimmer!)

· Exfoliate first. Yes it makes your skin more smooth, but most importantly, it also makes your tan last longer. Self-tanners are absorbed by more drier skin, so make sure you focus on the extra dry areas such as knees and elbows

· Apply to clean dry skin and always work from the bottom up, remembering to wash hands with soap and water in between applications. Use a circular motion to blend. If you are looking for instant color, self tan with Xen-Tan’s Deep Bronze that also gives you a natural color guide so you won’t miss spots

· Don’t forget your back! Take a long flat folded strip of saran wrap. Dot some self tan lotion in the middle. While holding the ends, smooth over areas on your back that are out of reach

· If you are afraid you applied too much self-tan to your wrists or back of hands, just rub a little moisturizer to those areas and blend with arms

Tips for Swimming:

· If you want your skin to be tanned and beach ready, apply self tan at least one hour before you leave (preferably the night before). Then apply your sun block as soon as you get to the beach. Give your self tan time to develop before you jump in the water

· Self tan does tend to fade the longer you swim. Keep dips in the pool or ocean to fifteen minutes or less. Use your towel to gently pat dry instead of rubbing to preserve your tan. You can even apply a daily tanner after swimming to keep your self tan from fading

Flabby buns or tummy?

· To give the illusion of toned buns or abs or any troubled areas for that matter, add a little extra tanner to add depth where you feel you need it

· To fake a fuller bust line, apply more self tanner in your cleavage area to give the illusion of depth

For sandal ready feet:

· Use a light amount of self tanner and blend carefully. Also blend some of your regular body moisturizer around the edges of toes and ankles to prevent dark spots

· If you are afraid you applied too much self-tan to ankles and tops of feet, just apply a little moisturizer to those areas and blend with legs

Any Mistakes?

· If you forget to wash your hands, the best thing to do is put a little dishwashing liquid is a bowl of warm water and soak hands for 20 minutes. Dry hands and use rubbing alcohol with cotton balls to see if you can get any excess off. Then use a scrub.

· If you missed a spot, use a self tan with dark instant color like Xen-Tan’s Dark Lotion to fill in. The instant color will disguise the spot and the tan will develop within three hours

· Always remember to apply SPF every day – self tanning products do not take the place of sun protection

The Xen-Tan collection can be purchased at www.drugstore.com.

Other self-tanning posts on A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm)

• L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronze Self Tanning Lotion
• Aqua Tan Self Tanning Body Milk
• Aqua Tan Clear Self Tanning Treatment for Faces
• Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray

*Disclosure

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

I’ve raved about Aqua Tan’s Self Tanning Body Milk before (no orange color, no overwhelming smell) so I decided to give their Clear Self Tanning Treatment for Faces a try. The picture to the left is the light color my skin normally is and to the right is my color after two applications of Aqua Tan. Not a huge difference, but the effects is just the way I like it…a natural looking sun kissed skin tone. As you can see from the picture above–no orange look at all (let’s leave that to Sunkist Ok?)

Aqua Tan’s Self Tanning Treatment for Faces comes in a 1.7 oz. spray bottle. You can either spray it directly on your face and then smooth it out or you can spray into the palm of your hand and rub it over your face. I chose to spray it into my hands, as I felt like it gave me more control over knowing exactly where the solution was being smoothed over on my face. I definitely feared orange streaks or worse–missing areas and looking patchy. Since the solution is clear it is all about being diligent with ensuring you smooth it from the inside moving out to the hair line and down your neck. Aqua Tan’s color doesn’t show up right away, it does take about 6 hours before you notice any color change.

I’m definitely very happy with how the color has turned out on my face. If you choose to spray Aqua Tan into your palms, be sure to wash your hand thoroughly afterwards. Aqua Tan is available at www.aqua-tan.com

Other self-tanning posts on A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm)

• Self Tanning Tips from Dera Enochson, creator of Xen-Tan
• L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronze Self Tanning Lotion
• Aqua Tan Self Tanning Body Milk
• Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Aqua Tan is the best self tanner out there.

Review over.

Because, really? This product is so great, don’t waste your time reading my review–go out and get it!

Ok, if you insist on a full review, where do I begin? I honestly didn’t believe the hype about this self tanner because I have yet to come across one that 1. Does not smell bad 2. Is moisturizing like a lotion and 3. Gives a truly natural “tanned” look. Yet, from the moment I opened the bottle and the light fragrance reminded me of walking into Bath & Body Works, I knew this self tanner was going to be a stand out.

Aqua Tan’s Body Milk is creamy like a thin silky lotion and appears white as you disperse it into your hands. However, as you smooth it over your skin it is clear and feels (and smells) much like a lotion as well. The Body Milk is moisturizing with Shea Butter, Kukui Nut Oil, Avocado Oil, Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E. The Body Milk absorbs quickly–by the time I was done applying it to my arms and legs it was dry and I was able to put my clothes back on right away.

I didn’t notice any immediate color to my skin, that came about 2 hours later and it literally looked like I had been sunbathing on the beach in Aruba. I’m very fair skinned and my skin was a gorgeous light bronze color. I was so pleased that one application really had such great results and I applied another application the following day. Just two applications lasted me about 8 days without having to apply anymore and without immediately fading.

Do make sure you wash your hands well after applying Aqua Tan, as I thought I had gotten it all off my hands until the following day when I noticed a lone bronze spot. While this self tanner is $37–don’t hesitate–it is worth every penny!

I’m saving my bottle now until shorts weather so that I can show off the gorgeous color without having ever stepped out into the sun. Fabulous!

Other self-tanning posts on A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm)

• Self Tanning Tips from Dera Enochson, creator of Xen-Tan
• L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronze Self Tanning Lotion
• Aqua Tan Clear Self Tanning Treatment for Faces
• Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Looking at my pathetic white legs the other day made me finally spring to buy a sunless tanner. I’ve never used a sunless tanner before, mostly because of the fear of orange palms and streak marks. As trial and error has progressed, it seems that sunless tanners are getting better at lessening a beginner’s chances of messing things up. Call it Sunless Tanning for Dummies, if you will.

After looking through the plethora of sunless tanners one evening, my very impatient self chose Neutrogena’s MicroMist Sunless Spray Medium Shade, which makes your skin 2 shades darker than you current skin tone. My reasons for choosing a spray was that there was less of a chance I would miss a spot making it blatantly obvious to others that I got a tan the fake way. Also? Spraying was faster than slapping on a lotion. The only downside was that the directions stated your tan would only show up 2-4 hours after application.

So I hit the shower first, making sure to wash off all my lotion and also exfoliate my skin. Exfoliating makes it less likely your sunless tanner will streak and helps slough off the dead skin cells, which tend to soak up the tanner and create dark spots.

I felt very strange positioning a bottle resembling a small can of hairspray at my legs. However, application was very easy and the tanner went on without feeling greasy. Prior to spraying and being a sunless tanner virgin, I was a little nervous about whether or not the spray would puddle or drip off my leg. However, just as hairspray does…it stayed put. It only took about 2 minutes to dry completely, feeling a little tacky at first. The scent reminded me of floral scented hairspray, as well. The scent wasn’t bad, however I do advise you not to spray it without having the windows open first. I unintentionally got quite the aerosole high.

When I didn’t notice any difference in two hours, I sprayed on another coat (I am very impatient). At that point I decided what the heck, and also sprayed my arms, shoulders, and back. For tanning your face, you just spray it into your hands and rub on. I was worried again, that I would look like a Sunkist, but the spray quickly absorbed and with washing my hands right away, it did not change the color of my palms.

Upon waking the next morning I quickly ran to the bathroom to get a look at myself and was very happy to see a lovely bronze color on my skin. My legs were no longer snow white and there was absolutely no evidence to the untrained eye that I used a sunless tanner.

It’s been about 5 days since I sprayed on the MicroMist and my tan still shows nicely. I’d say it was well worth the money.

Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray: $10.99 (save 8%) at drugstore.com

Find more self-tanners.


Tags: sunless tanner, Neutrogena MicroMist, spray on tan, self-tanner

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts