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The Art Of Self-Tanning
Forget The Sun - Do It Yourself!
Self-Tanners
have come a long way from the orangy, masky, phony-looking versions of
just a few years ago. Acceptance has grown tremendously, too. Used to
be, people wouldn't admit they were faking it - now it's offered in the
best day spas and salons and people pat themselves on the back for staying
out of the sun -- finding a new-tech way to get that golden glow.
Never
self-tanned? Here's how to get glowing:
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1. |
Pick the right brand for you depending on whether you're fair-skinned
or darker-skinned. Most self-tanners come in two shades - light/medium
or dark/deep. Be realistic and pick the one closest to your face,
au natural, without a tan. When in doubt, pick the lightest version
until you're confident about your color. |
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2. |
Get your skin ready. Self-tanners for the body have more pigment than
ones for the face. Decide if you really want your face to be as dark
as your body skin. Most spas and salons use a lighter version for
the face for all but the darkest skinned clients. |
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3. |
The first thing a spa or salon does is give their clients a head-to-toe
body sloughing with a mild exfoliating product. You should do the
same. Dry areas will soak up more color than the rest of you and leave
you looking blotchy. Areas to be vigilant in: elbows, heels, knees. |
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4. |
Once you've been scrubbed your skin should be velvety smooth all over.
Run your hands down your body - any less-than-smooth areas need a
little moisturizer to equalize them with the rest of you. |
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5. |
Prevent Orangeade Palms before you start applying self-tanner, massage
a pearl-sized dab of silicone-based hair product into your palm. One
that controls frizzies is fine. This will block the self-tanner from
being absorbed into your hands. |
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6. |
Self-Tanner should be built-up, layer by layer. Don't overdo it. You
can reapply later, if the tan turns out too light. Start with your
feet, and work your way up the body to your ears. Leave tops of hand
until last. |
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7. |
Avoid getting self-tanner on lips, eyelids, brows and nails. |
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8. |
When you're ready to do your hands, wash them first with soap and
a nail brush. Rinse carefully to avoid splashing water above the wrists
and ruining the color you've already put on. Use a makeup sponge and
apply self-tanner to your hands, one at a time, bending fingers to
make sure the color gets Into the creases. Let dry for 10 minutes,
then do the other hand. |
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9. |
Your tan will last up to 7 days. To maintain color, just reapply every
week. If your first coat is too light, simply reapply. |
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10. |
Keep your tan glowing all week by avoiding body scrubbers, Retin A
creams, anything with AHAs, BHAs or glycolic acids - they all lift
off the top layers of the skin and will alter your tan. |
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11. |
Don't save your self-tanner from one season to the next. Buy fresh
to prevent ingredient breakdown and blotchy color. |
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12. |
Don't assume your tan is going to protect you from sun-damage! Use
sunscreen anytime you're out in the real thing! |
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