FAUX TAN is in pt 2

So my last post basically focused on places you can go to get your tan on.  Well this post will be mostly about products you can buy in a store and either spray tan yourself, or give yourself that healthy glow.

The first product that I am in love with is sold at Perfect Tan in Allston, and I don't think anywhere else.  It is called VIP Photoshoot and its basically a canister of spray tan.  It comes out a rich brown color and smells awesome (in my opinion)  It costs 25 bucks which is expensive, but it is worth the money to me.  I usually like to do this at night so I can sleep with the tan on, and wash off excess either the next day or the day after.  Here are some tips to ensure optimal application:
1. Exfoliate skin in the shower
2. Moisturize after the shower
3. Make sure you are completely dry before applying spray tan.  If you feel damp stand in front of a fan or blow dry your body to ensure being completely dry
4.  Hold the canister about a foot away from your body and starting with your face spray the solution while moving the canister up in down in a fluid motion and moving over a little after each sweep.  Continue this everywhere you want to be tan.  If help is needed for areas that can't be reached ask someone for help!
5. If you want to apply another layer first ensure that the first layer isn't soaking wet on your skin, if it is use a hair dryer and dry your skin, and apply as many layers until you are satisfied with the color of your tan
6. If some areas appear splotchy take a towel and lightly pat the tan, do not wipe, but merely pat it away, and reapply if necessary.
7. When finished use a hair dryer (my preference) or a fan and dry until absolutely POSITIVE you are dry then dress into clothes you don't care about because the tan can rub off on clothes
8. Enjoy your at home spray tan

This is my absolute favorite product right now.  If you ever see me out and I look tan, this is my little secret.  So try it out and tell me what you think!

Another option for at home spray tanning is a less costly one.  It is called Salon Bronze Airbrush Tanning system by Idea village.  The first purchase you make will cost you 12.99 which includes the gun and the actual tanning solution.  After you purchase the gun the tanning solution can be bought by itself for about 8 bucks so it's a really good deal.  I have found this solution at Sally's Beauty Supply.  There are a couple things that are different between this tanning solution and the one previously mentioned.
1. The color is different- The VIP one comes out very brown the Salon Bronze one comes out a little lighter, so build for more tan!
2. The Salon Bronze says that it needs to be shaken before it is used but I've found that if you don't shake it or shake it too much it comes out foamy and blotchy.  Test the gun on yourself before you really use it to see what works for you!
3. The color that you get from this is unreal and I constantly get complimented when I use this.  It gives a natural looking glow without being orangey and it lasts a couple of days!

Repeat the steps that I listed for the VIP spray tan while using the Salon Bronze.  ENJOY your home tan :)

The next spray tanning product that I have tried is Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze by Victoria's Secret.  They discontinued it for a time, but now its back in the stores.  It costs $12 which isn't bad at all.  It is an aerosol spray, and is very easy to use.  It dries in about a minute without having to stand in front of a fan or use a hair dryer but I would still recommend doing it to ensure ideal dryness.  Out of the spray tans that I have owned this is one I would not recommend if you want lasting color.  Rather this gives you an airbrush makeup look while giving you a little bit of color.  It is not as dark as VIP or Salon Bronze.  It's rather much lighter than the prior 2 and does give an orangey look at first.  It also smells a little weird, but for the price I think it can be dealt with.  Out of the three spray tans this is my least favorite

Next I want to talk about tanning products that aren't something that is permanent rather these products are great for a night out on the town.  Some are great and some are NOT!

The first thing that i LOVE LOVE LOVE right now is called Body Illuminator in Laguna by Nars.  It is AWESOME.  It is literally tan in a tube.  I used to be an avid Jiffy Tan by Benefit user but they recently discontinued it and I was pissed.  I love nothing more than having a product that I can lather on and look a little extra bronzed for a night out on the town, and when I saw that jiffy tan was discontinued I nearly cried.  Well I immediately went to Sephora and found my new favorite product : Body Illuminator in Laguna by Nars.  I have always been a fan of Nars makeup especially they're powder bronzer in Laguna, but had never seen their body illuminator cream.  It was recommended to me by a woman who worked at Sephora, and I was eager to get home and try it.  Here's some tips on how to properly use it:

1. Make sure your skin has been exfoliated or atleast scrubbed before you put it on because it will be blotchy on areas of dry skin so make sure you scrub scrub scrub
2. Instead of just applying it as is I like to add some to the lotion that I use.  Right now I am obsessed with Johnson's "Melt Away the Stress Line" so I combine the two together and apply liberally all over my arms,chest and neck.  Then if I want a little extra color/glow on my face I'll put a dab into my face moisturizer and do the same.  What you need to be careful about is the fact that this is an illuminator meaning that there will be some shine, or a glow to your skin not just a matte brown color, but it does look amazing on your skin
3. A make up tip to use with this product if you want that fresh, glowing look is take a pea size of the illuminator.  Take a makeup sponge and lightly dap this under the apple of your cheek and a little on it for an extra glow.  Doing this will make your face look refreshed and have a shine to it (not a bad shine) a better word for it is a glow, and it looks amazing in pictures!

MAKE SURE TO WASH YOUR HANDS WHEN YOUR DONE OR YOU'LL HAVE BROWN STAINED PALMS

This product does cost 45$ which is pricey but it is huge and lasts a REALLY long time.  You will be more then happy with your new tan ;)

The next product on my list is Jergen's Natural Glow, which is a product that comes in cream for and I guess foam form now?  I have never tried the foam and am only speaking about the cream version of this product.  They advertise this product as not only a tanning product but as a moisturizer too which may be very good for people who are looking for the combination.  I personally HATE this product.  I don't like for numerous different reasons.  It gives you ok color, but you constantly have to apply it to even notice a difference in your skin.  The smell is GOD AWFUL.  You can literally smell yourself, and others can smell you too = not ok GROSS.  I feel like even after I shower with this stuff on, the smell just does not go away.  It is really hard to apply because it comes out clear so you can't really see where you've applied it, so you have a good chance of coming out like a streak freak with it on.  If you are not extremely careful this stains your hands and fingers.  If you are good at applying creams like this than keep doing it, but if you've never tried and don't want to risk looking streaky, then there are plenty of other options out there!

So those are some products out there right now that are either hit or miss when it comes to faux tanning.  Don't let this weather make you feel down, get your faux tan on and feel better and more confident about yourself!  Hope you enjoyed!

- Kristen