Self-Tanning Tips
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While looking tan will never be passé, getting tan the old-fashioned way—basking in the sun for hours on end—certainly is. And for most of us who are time-crunched, work-obsessed, and over-scheduled as it is, who has time to hit the beach weekly to maintain the real thing? Luckily, with self-tanner it’s never been easier to look like you just spent a week in St. Tropez when, in reality, you barely left your office. Not only is self-tanner infinitely safer than the sun, it also offers near-instant gratification. While prices vary widely (drugstore shelves are packed with options in the $7–12 range; prestige brands can run $25 and higher), all self-tanners contain the same active ingredient: dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical that interacts with the amino acids in the surface skin cells to turn them brown. When it comes to application, however, there are several options. Which one is right for you? Read on.
Do-it-yourself: Thanks to recent strides in self-tanner technology (less orange, less streaky, less smelly formulations), using self-tanner has become a more goof-proof experience. Begin by choosing a realistic shade: Lighter skin tones get a more natural-looking result with a lower level of DHA; darker skin tones need a higher level to see a noticeable color change. For best results, prep skin by exfoliating with a light scrub or washcloth (self-tanner goes on more evenly on a smooth surface). Next, moisturize extra-dry areas, like knees and elbows, so you don’t look patchy. Apply the self-tanner using long sweeping movements, and then go over the area again with wide circular movements to avoid streaks. Fortunately, many self-tanners like Estée Lauder Go Bronze Plus Tinted Self-Tanner for Body ($28.50, esteelauder.com) are now tinted so you can see exactly where you’re applying them—and spots you might have inadvertently missed.
Call in the pros: Fortunately, for the self-tanner-challenged, salons and spas across the country offer head-to-toe application, but it’s not cheap (prices run upwards of $125). But for those plagued with unsightly zebra-like stripes or stained hands, it’s worth every penny. And you’ll likely enjoy the actual process, as well. Most treatments include a skin-polishing exfoliation and, if you’re lucky, the equivalent of a full-body massage (after all, the tanning cream is rubbed into every inch of your body).
Spray away: Airbrush tanning is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about advancements in recent years. The process—in which self-tanner is misted onto the body—is often faster and more foolproof than manual application (but again, for best results, exfoliate first). There are two ways to go: an automated airbrushing spray booth, which mists the entire body and face with a self-tanning solution in 60 seconds or less; or a trained technician who uses a handheld device that takes longer (up to 25 minutes). The latter is more expensive ($35 and up) but results in a tan custom-tailored to your body, as more color can be used to camouflage varicose veins or beauty marks.
Bring on the bronzer: Without a doubt, bronzers are the cheapest, fastest, and easiest sun-safe way to get some color. Unlike self-tanners, bronzers like Maybelline Expert Wear Blush Bronzer ($5.49, walgreens.com) involve no drying time and can simply be washed off if the application doesn’t go as planned (but, really, it’s hard to screw up). The key to creating a natural, sun-kissed look is applying bronzer only to the areas of the face where the sun naturally hits—the apples of the cheeks, around the hairline, across the bridge of the nose. Complete the look with shimmery, sheer shadow on the eyes and a flush of glossy color on the lips.