Fakin’ it-March 25, 2007
It’s official, this is the time of year that I begin to feel pasty white. The weather is beginning to get warmer and our clothing gets lighter. I yearn for a healthy glow. Oh the memories of sitting on the beach listening to a boom box (something like “Billie Jean”) and smoking Marlboro Lights. If I think hard enough, I can smell the Hawaiian Tropic. OK back to reality. Sun tanning makes you look old, leathery, and freckled. So what to do??? Try sunless tanning.
Sunless tanning is a bit of a pain to master at first but once you get the hang of it, it gets easier. Here are some options:
- Sunless tanning lotions that you apply yourself. I personally like to use them only on my face (looove Clarins), as it’s too difficult to do your own body without major streaking (a self tanning no-no).
- Spray tanning booth (a.k.a. Mystic Spray Tan). You essentially go into a booth naked, close the door, face towards the nozzles and get sprayed. A little claustrophobic but over time it gets easier. Some tips: wear a shower cap on your face and head. Yes on your face, as it’s easier to control the streaking. When you are finished getting sprayed, leave the shower cap on your face and gently pat the excess onto your face then take off the shower cap. Wash hands immediately. As for feet I say wear the little paper booties that they give you and then try to rub excess lotion from legs down to your feet a bit.
- Air brushing – This is the best and most expensive. Great to do before a special occasion. Many spas offer this treatment; my favorite is Red Hots Spa in Roslyn, NY. A couple of hours after this treatment (which is not for the shy and timid as you are almost completely naked while someone is spraying you) you look as though you were on vacation.
- Air brushing at home kits – I have no idea what they are like.
- Self-tanning treatment in a spa. It’s simple, you get undressed, and a technician scrubs you and exfoliates your skin and then applies self tanner. It’s great if you have a lot of time – not for me but it works well (try Estee Lauder Spa).
- One more tip – wear dark loose clothes after you self tan.
O.k. so now you have a beautiful glow and you are getting ready to go out at night- here is how to enhance it. You can go two different routes depending on your mood. One way to go is – after the shower, apply Johnson’s Baby Oil or Neutrogena Sesame Oil . You will look positively glowing. Another way to go is to apply Loose Lips New York Face and Body Bronzer (smells sooo good) on any skin that is showing (face, neck, chest) and then apply Loose Lips Indispensable Glow on arms and chest. Again you will look simply glowing and shimmery. Well until next time … I better get glowing (I mean going). Robin- Loose Lips New York
