How to Keep Your Summer Glow Through Winter

Image Courtesy: Cosmopolitan

That time of the year is right around the corner. You’re probably familiar with the dreadful time–the moment when your once naturally bronzed skin of summer turns into the pale ghost of winter. You get to enjoy all the perks of winter, like being able to snuggle by the fireplace and feel the cool weather on your skin—but then you’re hit with the harsh reality that your tan is gone! Fear not, because long ago, a magical formula was made that could do the unthinkable: allow you to keep your tan without relying on the sun.

Self-tanning is a practical and safe way of achieving that desired bronzed glow without the need for that scorching summer sun. This way, everyone can enjoy their summer tan in the winter months. More recently, tanning companies have expanded and perfected their formulas to the point where you can’t even tell what's real or fake. Coming from a self-tanning guru myself, I’m going to teach you the ins and outs of self-tanning and the exact ways to get people asking, “Where did you get that tan?”

The first key step to turning your tanning routine from 0 to 100 is choosing the right self-tanner that works for you. Here are some of my favorites and ways for you to find the self-tanner you’ll fall in love with.

First and foremost, it’s essential to know that self-tanners come in all different types, each with various textures, shades, and application speeds. Self-tan comes in mousses, lotions, drops, and sprays. It may sound intimidating, but the best way to find out what works for you is by simply trying different products. One method is patch testing. Simply test out a product on a small part of your skin to see if the shade is correct and if you like the product. But take it from me, these are the holy grail products you’re going to want to try out first:

Image Courtesy: Tanologist

Tanologist

Every Tanologist product should be a staple in your routine, but the Tanologist Self Tan Water deserves to be at the top of the list. This self-tan mist goes on clear and coats the skin evenly. It develops over four to six hours and does wonders for a radiant glow.

Image Courtesy: Walmart

b.tan

I stumbled upon the b.tan “glow your own way” self-tan gel a few months ago and have not put it down since. Not only is it affordable and can be found almost anywhere, but it also doesn’t leave you looking like an orange mess.

Image Courtesy: Target

Jergens

You don’t always have to buy from these fancy and trendy self-tanning companies. I’ve been a loyal user of Jergens Instant Sun Mousse for as long as I can remember, and it has constantly delivered beautiful results.

Now, let’s dive into the application process for a flawless tan. Pre-tan preparation is crucial to the process: exfoliate, shave, and moisturize a day prior to application for even results. Now that you have your clean slate, depending on what product you use, you’re going to either apply it directly to the skin or a self-tanning mitt and rub it in. For tricky areas like the elbows, fingers, toes, and face, use a makeup brush with dense bristles like the Elf Kabuki Brush. When it comes to blending, remember the golden rule: over-blend. If you think you’ve blended enough, blend more. Each product will have its own set of instructions on waiting times before rinsing. I like to sleep with the product on, so it can develop over a longer period. Finally, to keep that bronze for as long as you can, apply moisturizer every day to lock it in. With these steps, you’ll not only enjoy a flawless tan, but you’ll be able to walk out confidently radiating a summer glow in the winter.

Strike Out,

Writer: Isabella Santiago

Editor: Cristina Angee

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