Summer is a state of mind…
And nothing makes me feel more summer ready than when I have a great glow. I’m not talking about just on my face… I mean a full-body bronze. Doesn’t a good tan make you feel like you can take on the world? It tricks my mind into thinking I’ve just returned from a fabulous week in the Caribbean, even if I spent my whole weekend behind a computer screen. There’s something magical about having a fresh tan – and because the sun and my skin aren’t BFF’s, I’m spilling my tricks I’ve learned over the years and favorite products for achieving that sun-kissed glow without getting anywhere near damaging rays.
Prep
Frank Body Coffee Scrub
One of the most important parts of self-tanning is in the prep work. Making sure you have a smooth and even surface to work with is key. I discovered this scrub before our wedding last year and have loved using it before tanning ever since.
The coffee grounds energize your skin and leave you with a silky, radiant surface ready to be tanned. Warning: this product is a little messy (they’re literal coffee grounds!), but so worth it for the results. If the coffee smell is a bit too much for you, it also comes in a coconut scent, which I think would be so nice to have for the warmer months! Added bonus: Frank Body’s products are all vegan and natural. They’ve quickly become one of my favorite body care brands.
Tan
St. Tropez Purity Water Mousse
This self-tanner is the only one I use! I started using it last summer, and was immediately hooked. One of the biggest selling points for me was it’s “no-transfer” aspect. I’ve ruined so many white dresses and sets of sheets with other tanners, so this is a definite perk. I will say for the most part, it hasn’t transferred. However, if you plan to be in the heat of the sun and may be sweating, there’s a chance it will rub onto your clothing. That said, it’s by far the best tanner I’ve found.
In terms of application, it goes on so easily. It comes out as a mousse – I use 2-3 pumps on each arm, and about 5 on each leg. To buff it in, I love using this tanning mitt. I promise you it’s worth the $7. It really helps with getting into all the grooves around your ankles and knees. I’ll usually tan the back of my hands first, and wash my hands once I’m done with everything else. That way a very small amount of color will develop and I don’t end up with completely white or orange hands.
Follow-up/Enhance
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes
If you’re looking for something that will develop quickly or easy to travel with, I recommend these wipes. They’re also a much more budget-friendly drugstore option. This is my second runner up to the St. Tropez tanner which I used these for about two years before discovering my new favorite. My only complaint is that they transfer fairly easily if you sweat, and they color can be a little streaky if it isn’t rubbed in properly.
Overall, these are a great option if you need a quick boost of color and want something super easy to apply. One towelette will usually do my entire upper body or both of my legs. I’ll usually use them to touch up or enhance my base tan I’ve built with my St. Tropez Mousse.