Three Things on Self-Tanning

Being a Chicagoan, I’ve gotten used to the frozen and bitter winters. I can handle my hair being caked in frost, or a boot filled with snow with 4 blocks left in the trek home, but there’s one thing I still can’t seem to handle. Being Pale. After a long process of trial and error, here is what my self-tanning regimen has become.

    

While I have heard mixed reviews about the Jergens Natural Glow daily moisturizer for face, for me it is a must-have. My friends and I have been using this product religiously since middle school. This is a product that I use on a daily basis along with my daily moisturizer to achieve; you guessed it, a natural glow. The product comes in 2 shades for lighter or darker tones. But for those looking for a quick bronze, this isn’t for you. Results take up to a few days to appear.

Pros:

-Gives skin a gradual and natural tan

-Moisturizes and does not irritate my sensitive skin

Cons:

-Some complain about the smell, however, I do not mind it

-Can stick to dry patches if not moisturized before

-WILL cake up in hairline and eyebrows; so unless you want oompaloompa brows, avoid the area.

-Can also stain fingers if not properly washed post application

St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse has a cult following. Actually, is it still considered a cult if everyone loves it? This is one of those products that everyone on the Internet raves about, so here I go on my own rave. My favorite part about this product is that it’s nearly impossible to get a blotchy result. Anywhere with product will become the same shade, no matter how many coats one layer may have compared to another. While I’m always happy with the results I get from using this on my body, I generally use it once every other week on my face. For the best results I use a makeup brush to apply to my face in the dark shade, however, other options are available. I rarely use it on my body because I can’t stand the sticky feeling it gives me in bed. But when I do, I use the mitt that the brand sells along with the mousse.

Pros:

-Gives a deep yet natural tan

-Does not patch or blotch

-Applies very smoothly and evenly

Cons:

-Sticky and uncomfortable if not allowed to dry for around 15 minutes

-Can easily stick to dry patches if not well moisturized, however, they can be easily scrubbed off

-Cannot be worn in public because of green tinted color guard

For a body tan I use the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body. While these can be hard to evenly apply in areas like wrists or ankles, the color is very natural and does not streak. My skin is always left feeling smoother and firmer after just one application. I prefer this to St. Tropez for body because it dries in minutes and can be worn in public without a shower first.

Pros:

-Very natural color

-Skin smoothing and firming

-Reduces need to shave

-Many skin benefits

-Only slight smell

-Dries quickly with no discomfort

Cons:

-Lack of color guard makes difficult areas more difficult

-Difficult to evenly use product from pad on all parts of body