Hi everyone and welcome to a guest post here on lifewithlilred by my friend, Bob Gorman. Bob is a fantastic freelance writer who offered to give my readers the 411 on how to achieve the perfect DIY tan sans the sun. “Why is Sarah posting about tanning? She’s the most pasty pale person I know.” Yeah, yeah – I get it. BUT, just because I avoid getting tan at all costs doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in doing it safely for people who are into that! So take a look at these Self Tanning Tips to help you bronze goddesses achieve that perfect Summer Glow:

Summer Glow Self Tanning Tips:

Self-tanning is a great way to get that beautiful bronze glow. You’ll look like you just came back from a tropical vacation, even if you’re not able to take off work for as long as you’d like. Self-tanning can also even your skin tone and make you look a little more youthful, which is always a plus.

Tanning has a number of cultural implications, and society has viewed tanning in various ways throughout the years. In the Middle Ages, a tan was a sign of poverty, since people with sun-kissed skin were likely outside performing manual labor for extended hours. As time progressed, tanned skin was an indication of being well-traveled and spending time on luxurious beaches or yachts. However, there are still some areas of the world, such as China and India, where light skin is generally preferred. People often use skin lightening products to preserve a fair complexion or to significantly lighten their skin. In the United States and Europe, however, tanned skin is seen as healthy and more attractive. Australians prefer a tanned complexion as well, but use indoor tanning services often, which increases the risk of melanoma.

Self-tanning can be a safe and effective way to get the bronze glow you want. You won’t have to spend extended amounts of time in the sun, which reduces your risk of UVA and UVB overexposure. DIY tanning also eliminates your need for visiting the tanning booth and putting your skin in direct contact with artificial UV lighting.

Here are some tips to keep in mind during the self-tanning process:

Prep Your Skin: You should use a gentle exfoliator on your skin before applying self-tanner. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells to reveal your true complexion. Exfoliation will also help the self-tanner to go on smoothly, and prevents the tanner from settling on various parts of your skin and creating dark spots. Just make sure the exfoliator you’re using doesn’t contain oil, because the tanner can leave streaks. It’s also a good idea to wax or shave your legs and arms or touch up your hair color before you self-tan. Shaving cream, waxes and hair dyes can remove self-tanner or decrease the effects of the tanner, so be sure to take care of all your other beauty treatments first.

Use Skin Softener: If you’re showering before applying the self-tanner, be sure to use a cleanser that contains Vitamins A or E to thoroughly moisturize the skin. You should also wait 5-10 minutes after getting out of the shower to ensure that your skin is completely dry before you apply the tanner. Apply a lightweight moisturizer to your face if you’re putting tanner there, and use a lotion that contains shea or cocoa butter on the rest of your body to prep your skin for the tanner.

Select the Right Product: Be sure to choose a self-tanner that matches your actual skin tone. Don’t select a product based on your desired result. A tanner that matches your complexion will give you the healthy, natural glow that you want. If you have olive skin tones, use a dark tanner, and choose a light or medium tanner if your complexion is fair. If you choose a gradual self-tanner, it may take up to four applications for you to get the sun-kissed look you want. There are separate tanning products for face and body, so select a gentle formula for your face to reduce the chances of skin irritation.

Apply the Tanner Properly: Apply your self-tanner from the bottom up to make sure it sets on your skin evenly. This also lessens the chances that you’ll forget the hard to reach places on your body. Mousses are easy to apply, but spray self-tanner is ideal if you have a hard time reaching places like the backs of your knees or the small of your back. Start from your ankles and work your way up to your shoulders and neck.

Once you get to your face, use a self-tanner that is formulated for facial skin. While you shouldn’t use too much tanner on any part of your body, you should be especially careful not to overdo it on the self-tanner when it comes to your face. Too much tanner could give you an orange appearance.

It may take a little practice to get your self-tanner just the way you want it. However, after an application or two, you’ll be looking your best this summer, whether you’re heading to the beach or staying indoors.

^^^ Thank you so much to Bob for creating such an informative and excellent article for my readers! If you are interested in contacting Mr. Gorman, you can reach him at: bob.gorman@go8.com.au!