It's Friday! And the only way this day could get any better is if it were a Friday in the summer. Okay, let's be honest.. I would settle for sunshine today. Obviously, I'm sun obsessed and missing summer, so I decided to make this post all about how to look like you just came off the beach. Even in the middle of winter!!
Say goodbye to your winter blues with a vacation in a bottle.
Don't you love the way you look after you get your first tan of the summer? Well, since we can't exactly throw on a bikini and head outside, what's the next best thing? Most people, including myself would respond with indoor tanning. While that sounds like the perfect "fix"- you'll be nice and toasty warm, get a tan, all while convincing yourself you're on an island getaway for 15 minutes.
Sounds perfect right? Up until a few years ago I would completely agree! However, with everything I've learned about skin cancer from cosmetology school, my own research, and having two people very close to me being diagnosed with skin cancer- I no longer agree. Instead I've become sort of a "fake" tanner condisseur. I feel like I've tried every kind out there, from over the counter products found everywhere like; Olay's touch of sun, Jergens self tanner, and Loreal's Sublime. I've also tried many department store brands including Clinique and Lancome.
I've narrowed it down to two products;
Victoria Secret's Bare Bronze
While this product has been discontinued, and brought back a couple of times, and can be a little tricky to find. I LOVE it. I think it is perfect if you already have a "base" color or your first tan of the summer. It will make you look darker very naturally. It also smells great, very beachy suntan lotion-ish. It comes in two shades- light/medium and medium/deep. I have never tried the light/medium shade, but have had great results with the medium/deep one. Never turns you orange!
If you're interested in trying it, you can find it at some Victoria Secret Outlet stores (Greatlakes Crossing) but you will probably have the best luck online. You can pick up a bottle for around $7- $15
And.......
FakeBake self tanner
For my "department store"self-tanning lotion pick- Fake Bake is definitely my number one choice! Unlike, bare bronze it only comes in one "shade" or formula. I'm in love with it because it has a green base pigment so it will NEVER make you look orange, instead of an orange base like most self tanners. And you don't have to have a base tan or any color to get a great natural looking tan! It does require that you where gloves while applying it, and is a dark brown thicker lotion. It is paraben free and only contains a small percentage of natural organic preservatives.
I have only two complaints about this product; it is not a quick, easy no mess application. And since it doesn't contain preservatives it has a short shelf life of 3-6 months instead of a full year like most self tanning products. However, I did find out that it can be kept in the refrigerator to extend the life as it states on the box.
Tips & Tricks For Application
One trick I will share if you do decide to try Fake Bake- since you use gloves to apply the lotion, that means none of the product gets on your hands. Well, you obviously can't walk around with white hands and a tan body- that would be a dead giveaway. So, what I do is apply the tanning lotion on my body using the gloves, then once my body is dry, I remove the gloves and apply Fake Bake very carefully using a makeup sponge or cotton ball on my back of my hands and fingers, making sure I blend it in on the tops and sides of my wrists.
I buy my Fake Bake self-tanning lotion from one of my beauty stores for licensed professionals, but for all my non-licensed friends I found it on ebay for $13-$25. You can also check local tanning salons and spas, or you can always purchase it directly from Fake Bake's website. ( see above for link)
If you ever come across any problems in terms of unwanted streaks or any areas where you may have applied it darker in certain spots than others, you can use lemon juice as a natural way to remove some of the self-tanner pigment. Follow that up with exfoliation on that are with either a puff or mitt. Then to be extra certain, if you're still worried it's noticeable, use Sally Hansen's airbrush tan or airbrush legs. I use it in deep glow.
Make sure you shake it well before you use it, and follow all the instructions on the back of the bottle. But it works like a charm if you have any mistakes you want to cover up/fix. As with many of the other products I've discussed today you can find it at just about any supermarket and drug store, or from Sally Hansen's website for around $11-$15. I usually buy one bottle every 3-6 months, so it's well worth the money.
Facial Self-Tanners & Bronzers
Since I absolutely fell in love with Fake Bakes self tanning lotion I thought for sure I would also love their Fake Bake Face line. Not so. Even their " new formula" broke me out ( not terrible) but broke me out none the less and it also settles in your pores and looks sort of blotchy. They definitely have some work to do, until I will try it again.
The facial self-tanner that I do LOVE is Jergens Natural Glow for medium skin tones.
I found that it gradually adds natural looking color to your skin as well as helps to make you skin-tone appear more even. After about one weeks use I feel like most days I don't need any foundation or anything, just a little bronzer and it looks great! I also really love it because it has sunscreen in it, it's SPF 20. Which is a total bonus!
You can find it at just about any supermarket or pharmacy for around $6-$11
Bronzers
I mentioned above that I liked to use a little bronzer over my facial self-tanner. My bronzer of choice is definitely Fake Bake Bronzy Babe...
Fake Bake's Bronzy Babe compact adds color, blends nicely, and adds subtle shimmer for a very nice "sun kissed" -spent the say out by the pool -kind of look. You can find it on Fake Bakes website ( see above) as well as on amazon for around $9-$17
Last but not least Moisture and Exfoliate
As with all self tanners, it's recommended that you exfoliate and moisturize before hand. I have tried Fake Bakes body polish, and some over the counter ones (caress) my all time favorite is Hempz Herbal Body Scrub- Sandalwood and Apple.
I really like using Hempz to exfoliate because it isn't too harsh. You can use it daily if you want by itself or for an intense ( before applying self tanning lotions) exfoliation you can apply it with a mitt or puff. I also use it about 2-3 times a week while I'm using my self-tanners.
You can find Hempz body scrub at most tanning salons as well as on amazon for around $7-$15.
Pre & Post Self-Tanner Moisturizers
For my pre- self tanner moisturizer I really like Cetaphil's moisturizing lotion for all skin types. It's lightweight, yet penetrates even the driest skin, like elbows and knees ( important parts to moisturize to steer clear of any self tanning booboo's). It's also fragrance free, non-comedogenic ( won't clog pores) and dermatologist recommended. I also use this daily on my face since it doesn't clog pores or cause acne.
You can find it at any local supermarket or pharmacy- average price I found was $13.50 for 20 FL OZ. Personally, I buy mine at Costco simply because I use it like it's going out of style. It comes in a two pack there, which I believe is a better bang for your buck.
Post Self-Tanner Moisturizers
I really like Hempz Cucumber And Jasmine Herbal Moisturizer after my self-tanning indulgence.
I chose Hempz Cucumber and Jasmine Herbal Moisturizer after my self-tanners because Hempz have been used in tanning salons for years to extend tans. And the best way to extend your tan is to keep your skin hydrated which is exactly what Hempz does. It helps keep moisture in your skin with hemp seed oil, Shea Butter and vitamins A, C & E, plus it smells yummy too!
You can pick up a bottle for around $11-$17 at most tanning salons, or on amazon.
Onto Health..............
Lately, I feel like I have been what I call " super sugar sensitive". If I consume foods low in protein and high in sugar, carbs, and fats, ( foods I LOVE none teh less) I become "sugar eyed" -glazed over eyes and very sleepy. Much like the well known phrase of being on a "sugar high", moms say jokingly to their kids. Bouncing around on a sugar high, only to crash shortly after.
Seems like common sense, that if you eat sugary foods, foods high in fructose corn syrup, or foods high in "bad" carbs (carbs that just break down into sugar)- you'll feel sluggish. We all need carbohydrates for energy, but just how much do we need? And how much do we actually get on a daily basis?
The most recent study shows that people who consume 2,000 calories per day should be eating around 250 grams of carbohydrates daily. However, most people consume double, and sometimes even triple that! Which is one of the things that can cause you to be "sugar-eyed", fatigued and sluggish.
I also want to stress that while a low-carb diet can give you more energy, cutting carbohydrates out of your diet completely can be bad for your body as well. It's all about finding a healthy balance.
Avoid these Carbohydrates like the plague;
- Pastries ( morning cinnamon rolls, pancakes, doughnuts)
- Soft drinks ( Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, ect....yes this includes diet soft drinks)
- Candy
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Chips ( baked chips are better for you)
- And most packaged, processed snack foods. ( Think vending machines)
Carbohydrates to indulge in;
- Whole grain breads, pastas and rice ( not enriched white- actually whole grain)
- Nuts and Seeds ( Raw unsalted almonds have actually been shown to reduce belly fat)
- Fruits and Veggies ( load up!! These are full of lean protein and good carbohydrates)
If you would like an easy way to track your daily intake of carbohydrates, as well as calories, fats ect, this is a good website for you to check out. Also, a lot of the new smart-phones offer a free app that has a daily calorie counter and breaks everything down for you. If you don't have a smart phone you can always use this site which is also free.
My Snacks
A couple quick "pick-me-up" carb/calorie counter friendly snack recommendations;
Fat Free Cottage Cheese with Fruit
1/2 cup of all natural (organic) Fat Free cottage cheese. You can top it off with your favorite fruit, I love to have it for breakfast with some mandrin oranges from Dole ( In 100% fruit juice). This snack/ breakfast offers you...
- Only 90 calories ( for those who are calorie counting)
- 0grams of fat, saturated fat or trans fat (all the fats that are bad for your heart)
- 3g carbohydrates ( the good kind!)
- 14g of protein ( AWESOME!!!)
- Only 3g of sugar ( which break down to carbs)
If you're not a cottage cheese person ( I know a lot of people have texture issues when it comes to cottage cheese) I would suggest;
- Fruit- An apple will wake you up more than a cup of coffee in the a.m. (try it!! it really works!)
- Tuna- Albacore white in water ( in oil adds extra fat) is my personal favorite. Great source of protein- Just remember the less you add to it the better! ( fat free mayo ect)
- Nuts- ( A handful of raw unsalted Almonds offer great protein and also help fight/reduce belly fat!
As always, comments and suggestions are encouraged and appreciated.
----Let's be beautiful, healthy & happy together!!
Enjoy! And Happy Friday ya'll!
** The links I use on all of my blog posts, are NOT advertisements or spam. I simply put them in each blog for you to be able to find the products I talk about easily.**
