The perfect self-tanner – for real!

I was delighted to see the forecast for this weekend – 80 degrees! Less exciting, though, was the realization that this also means my legs may have to come out of hibernation a little earlier than I had planned. The glowing white shade of my thighs could seriously blind the passerby on the street. Lucky for me – and everyone else in my boat – the perfect tan is only 6 hours and a loofah sponge away!

Since I have no desire to end up looking like a leather handbag, a tanning salon or “lying out” is out of the question. I will try REALLY, REALLY hard to stay on topic here and not go off on a tirade about how this is not 1984 and doesn’t anyone realize that being super-tan makes you look old, like Magda from “There’s Something About Mary” and why don’t you just light up a cigarette while you’re at it and OKAY, I’M ALREADY RANTING so I will digress. My desire to look glowing and radiant yet avoid the aforementioned leather-face look has had me on a quest for the perfect self-tanner for years. I have tried just about every brand on the market – from the cheap CVS brands to the priciest ones on the shelf at Sephora. And the winner, hands-down, is:

L’Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer.

This stuff is THE BEST. It never turns orange, nor becomes too “obvious”. The fact that it is mixed with a moisturizer means that you can custom build your shade (simply apply every day for a deep shade, every other day for something more subtle), and it also ensures a streak-free finish. It makes my skin look glowy and natural, and only takes a few hours to work. Just exfoliate in the shower, then apply as you would your normal moisturizer. Let it dry before dressing, and in just a few short hours, you’ll start to see the results. It comes in shades of Fair or Medium. I use the Medium, but if you are really pale, I suggest starting with the Fair. I also recommend picking up a big tub of Vasoline – use it to coat your knees, ankles, heels, sides of your palms, and in between your fingers before applying the tanner. Those spots tend to be dry and get really dark or (in the case of your fingers) be overlooked when you’re washing up. To get your back, simply put a generous amount of tanner in the middle of your back, then take an old towel and run it back and forth across your back and shoulder blades to spread it around. Works like a charm!

I’ll be ready for my sundress by tomorrow!

-Jessica