I have a confession to make-I am a former sun worshipper. I know what you’re thinking, “The wrinkles! The fine lines! The hyperpigmentation!” Don’t worry, I have those thoughts too as I stare at my skin in my 5x magnified mirror. BTW, I firmly believe that magnified mirrors were created by the devil-do I really need to see my pores that close up?

I changed my evil ways and swear by SPF 30 (my favorite: laboratoire remède translucent uv coat spf 30)

I’ve given up my tanning habit, but I still love a good sun-kissed glow. What’s a girl to do? Browse the self-tanner aisle in the drugstore? *GAG* I’ve tried other self-tanners before and made some not so cute mistakes. I’ve looked splotchy, streaky, striped, and smelled stinky (sounds more like the seven dwarves than self-tanning, no?).

streaky, smelly, stinky.....

Although going to the spa is fabulous, $$ is tight right now, so I created a scrub + color treatment at home.

This three-part treatment starts with head-to-toe exfoliation, which sloughs away dead skin cells so the tan application goes on smooth and splotch-free.

The next step is a light application of body butter. Lightly moisturizing before self-tanning makes the tan absorb evenly. Have you ever put on self-tanner and your knees are three shades darker than your shins? A light application of body butter will prevent that. Plus, it leaves you skin soft and smooth all day.

The last step features the self-tanning superstar-a tan for all seasons. This amazing self-tanner is smartly packaged in an aerosol can (HELLO, 360 degrees of spraying power!). It’s great for getting all those hard-to-reach spots. The best part-it’s a simple spray and rub. The tanning agent sprays on purple-just rub it into your skin!

TIP: When you’re done rubbing the self-tanner in, wash your hands thoroughly. I like using an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer before washing my hands. I don’t know why, but this ensures that my hands will be tan-free.

The first time I ever used a tan for all seasons, I impatiently stared at my forearm waiting for the magical tanning to happen. I may or may not have fully read the directions first (the tan develops over a few hours). Oops! I went to bed that night fearing that I would wake up looking like an Oompa Loompa.

self-tanner gone wrong

I was wrong! The results? Soft, supple skin and a bronzing even Gisele would be jealous of.

Want to look like you just got back from the Bahamas? You can recreate this look at home with the ‘tan’s’ best friend set.

Don’t forget:
-exfoliate
-moisturize
-spray, rub, and let it set
-wash your hands immediately!