Everyone is expected to be tan in the summer, yeah?  And while you know all about the dangers of tanning, people still do it. That will never change.  I love being outside, and there’s nothing like a tan from natural sunlight.  But like always, you have to use protection (see what I did there?).  I used to go to the tanning bed all the time, so trust me- I see the appeal.  And I have a strong aversion to self tanners due to their tendency to make me a coconut-scented Oompa Loompa.

Well FakeBake sent me their Flawless Tanning Lotion ($24.95) which did not turn me orange, but it did leave me smelling as if Hawaiian Tropic invented an air freshener even after I showered.  The tan is pretty dark with the first application, and it stays on for a decent amount of time.  Self tanners can be tricky to apply without streaking or splotches, but I’ve got some basics for you.  The most important part of getting a good tan with a self tanner is patience. Read More »

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We all have those friends who seem to have a perfect something.

Perfect skin… and then they complain about their one teeny tiny pimple as they stare at my “wow, how unfortunate; her skin looks like it belongs in 7th grade” face.
Perfect hair…every strand is always in place, it never gets greasy or frizzy, it never gets Jew-fro-y in the humidity.
Perfect metabolism…you know those biatches who you wish you could hate as they chow down on their 4th piece of pizza in their size 27 jeans but you can’t hate them because they are so great?

Well, for years, my friend Jess has had the perfect tan; always radiant, glowing, never orange, never streaky, never Simon Cowell looking (I mean really, the dude should just wear a sign that reads “Some people choose alcohol, but self tanner is my drug of choice”).

Anyway, I never thought to ask dear ‘ol Jess what her tan-perfect secret was – I figured it was just one of those things that she would always have down perfectly and I would admire her glow whilst accepting the fact that I am and will always be Pasty McPasterson pals with Snow White. (What up, home girl?) Read More »

I’ll admit in all shallowness, one thing excites me more than anything about the summer time: busting out short skirts! But there’s one problem.

While slipping on a slinky mini dress the other night, I looked down at my legs in horror. Walking around in bermudas all day had given me a beautiful golden tan…from the knee down. Nothing is more annoying than those pesky little tan lines that seem to cue strangers onto the shape of the shirt you wore the day before. Luckily they can be done away with (tanning bed free…because damaged skin is never, ever sexy).

Your first option is to pick up some sunless tanner and fill in the blanks. Pick a shade that matches the depth of your tan, not what your normal skin tone would be. Exfoliate that skin well to avoid streaking, and apply! If you want to get perfect color, and if you have a little more patience, a gradual tanning lotion might be a better bet. It’ll take several days to build the color, but you’ll be better able to get the exact shade of tan you want. Read More »