GOLDEN GLOW FOR CHRISTMAS…
First off let me apologize that this is not a “how to apply false lashes video,” like I mentioned was coming on Instagram. Oh technology, you got to love it!
However, I think this post will be just as useful and I’ll have the lash video up next week!
…
Let’s talk about something that a lot of us want but sometimes it’s just hard to get…
A tan… that perfect golden glow.
When I was younger, I used to lay in the tanning bed a lot. When I wasn’t able to buy a tanning package, I would lather on the Afro-Sheen or baby oil and attempt to bake away in the backyard. Now that I’m an adult, I have long given up my tanning bed addiction and am thankful that I have never gotten skin cancer! However, there still is that desire to at least have the appearance of a little glow all over, all year around.
[For the record, this blog is my own opinions, from my own history with no affiliation or free products received.]
After high school, I discovered spray tans. At Sally’s Beauty Supply, I found a nonelectric spray tan “gun.” Basically, you would load the aerosol can into the chamber and spray away. It went on pretty smooth and was easy to use, but each refill tube was $9 and worth just one and a half full body uses. The price was far better than a spray tan booth better but I was using it three to four times a week. It added up, quick!
On top of that, I was using Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs in Deep (although it’s advertised for legs I used it head to toe). At a costly $11-$14 per bottle, depending on store who bought it, the worst downside was that it only lasted until you took a shower or got wet. It also rubbed off on your clothes so you really were limited in your clothing color options. However, It does do a really great job covering up any blemishes or veins you might have and it comes in a few shades.
Over the years I have tried so many different kinds of self-tanners and I consider my self a self-tanner expert. Since I like to be sun-kissed all year round, the price is a huge factor for me. So, my trials and test have been with mostly drugstore/grocery store brands.
For years I have used L’Oreal Sublime Bronze lotion in the shade deep. It found at Walmart, Target, random grocery stores and drug stores. One very weird thing about this product is it has a few different packagings. Sometimes in a more slender tube versus the tube, I linked. Sometimes the cap is a different color. I can’t really say I have noticed a difference between the packaging over the years, maybe they just have several different bottling warehouses. Very strange. As far as the price goes, it tends to vary a couple of dollars for each location. The deep shade seems to be more limited, so I’m willing to pay a couple extra dollars to have the deep over the medium. I prefer to get the deep versus the medium shade, even though I am pretty pale because if I want more of a little glow I mix it with regular lotion. Just imagine adding darkening shade adjustment tint to your foundation for the summer months. Same concept. However, it’s great using just straight out of the bottle and something I do often.
I have had so much trouble finding the L’Oreal deep shade in the past month that I ventured on to another brand I have used before. To be honest, I couldn’t remember if I liked it but I found it for about $8 and I figured it was worth the gamble. Here’s what I grabbed below.
Although that bottle looks pretty orange and not the color you want your body to be, it is actually misleading to the product inside. In fact, I think that the tone it gives is better than the L’Oreal brand. However, it’s thicker in consistency which can make it harder to apply but in retrospective, the L’Oreal is a little sticky as it starts to dry until its fully dry. So, it is kind of a toss-up between sticky or thick! The L’Oreal is a glittery gel lotion versus the Banana Boat which is a thick creme consistency. Both smell decent and in fact, my husband has complimented me many times on how I smell after applying the L’Oreal.
I really hope to do a self-tanner application video in the future, if I can figure out how to do it modestly! I have come to realize that although that bottle above claims to be streak free, you just can’t put it on haphazardly. There truly are ways that help aid in foolproof, even looking applications. Are any fake tan methods comparable to the sun? Sadly no. But for healthy skin, I have been pretty satisfied with both the L’Oreal and the Banana Boat self-tanner with proper application.
I would love to hear from you! What self-tanners have you used? What do you love and what do you hate?
Finally, I will leave you with a picture from later that evening where you can see the self tanner fully developed! I’m a pretty pale gale, so this is wonderful perfect for me for a natural look with one coat! (You can add more coats to go even darker, which I do too!)
…And one from the next day, post shower.
Until next time, my BRONZE BEAUTIES!
Don’t let the Christmas lights be the only thing that glows this year!