I’ve written before about why I don’t tan, and unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you know that tanning carries with it some pretty serious risks. Still, up to 80 percent of people under 25 are convinced that they look better with a tan, and every single day, more than one million Americans visit tanning salons. As dangerous as natural sun exposure can be, it seems that tanning beds may be even worse. People who have used indoor tanning beds are at a 75% higher risk for melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer.

So why do people take the risk? Because they want to look good. And, according to a new study, they may be addicted. In 2005, scientists showed that many sunbathers met the medical definition of substance abuse disorder. This inspired researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to dig a little deeper. Their results, which were published over the summer, found that brain scans of frequent tanners showed activity that was similar to the patterns of drug addiction. Read More »

This year, I’m gonna be Snooki for Halloween. Leopard minidress, butterfly “tramp clamp” hairclip, ten bottles of bronzing lotion and go-go boots. Add a can of hairspray in one hand and a drink in the other and I’m good to go! (Note: currently casting for my other half. You can choose from Vinny, Gionni or JWoww.)

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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 »

Living in South Florida means I’ve seen my fair share of beach-goers. The beaches down here are filled with beautiful people with beautiful bodies and perfect tans. However, they aren’t always filled with people who are easy on the eyes. Nor is every beach day an episode of Baywatch. As summer approaches, more and more people are heading off to the beach to catch some rays and waves — which mean you’re going to do a lot of people watching. For better or worse.

Here are the 10 people you’ll definitely see at the beach this summer.

The movie ‘The Town’ served as inspiration for a bank heist in Illinois

The fool proof method to tanning

Yeah, those photos are definitely Blake Lively

Meet Katy Perry’s biggest fan

3 Ways to pull off a high waisted skirt at work

Ever wanted to know what the cute stranger was listening to?

5 Reasons it pays to be single in the summer

The greatest threats from movies

Billy Bob’s Daughter found guilty of manslaughter

With summer coming, I’ve been quite focused on pumping you all with information about practicing safe sun. Well, get excited, because I have some more!  A lot of you love tanning, I get it, but there’s a way to do it safely. If you’re gonna be soaking up the rays, you should make sure you do everything in your power to protect yourself from skin cancer. (No matter how young we are, we’re not invincible!)  I’m not trying to lecture (okay, just a smidge) but I care about my viewers, and I don’t want anything to happen to you!

If you’re not clued in on the ABCDEs of moles, I’m here to tell you what they are and why they’re important!  I’ve had a mole removed, and it is not fun.  In fact, it’s scary and it hurts. Obviously, your best bet is to take care of your skin to prevent moles, but if you do get them, it’s important to know how to handle them. Let’s get to it: Read More »

You CAN recover from this!

Last week, I gave you all some tips on how to prevent sunburn and recommendations for sunscreen. While I’m sure every one of you went out and bought sunscreen to wear every day and not just for SBXI, I bet there’s a few who didn’t.  Or there are those stragglers who are wearing SPF 5 thinking it will work.  And that’s okay.  Except now you’re all “Why didn’t I listen to Caitlin?! Now I’m sunburnt and having a horrible time!”

Don’t worry, this video is all about treating sunburn!  I rarely burn, but I’ve had a few cases of awful sunburn where I had to stay inside and lay on the floor because my down comforter felt like a bed of nails against my skin.  I’ve blistered and picked and even had sun poisoning.  So trust me, I feel your pain.

If you look like a lobster or want to know what to do just in case, then watch below for some great tips on treating your burn!  And next time, wear your SPF!! Read More »

23 is a young age for a lot of things.  It is a young age to be a mother, to be on your own, to lose a friend, or to have cancer.  Yet, all of these things and more happen to young people every day.

It was a cold day in November when I got the phone call from the dermatologist telling me my results were back and I needed to come into the office the same day.  As I put down the phone, I looked at my boyfriend and nervously laughed and said, “Well that can’t be good.”  Since I am a full time student, I had to go to class before I could even think about heading to a doctor.  I sat through the hour and fifteen minute class thinking that maybe I was being silly and everything was going to be fine.  Surely a girl who is 23 years old, outgoing, determined, and full of life could not have cancer.  It had to be something else.

The drive to the office took too long and I called my mom on the way to deter some thoughts.  She immediately went into full panic mode and I couldn’t understand why.  By the time I arrived at the doctor, she had called five times to find out what was wrong but they wouldn’t tell her because I am an adult.  I sat alone in the room and waited for the nurse practitioner.  She was the only that would see me that day because the doctor was too busy.  She sat down and said, “Katie, you have level four Melanoma and the next step is for you to go see a surgeon in St. Louis to have the tumor removed.”

It’s hard to explain what I was feeling at the moment I was processing everything she was saying.  I don’t really know if I was feeling anything but disbelief.  I’m not sure that I was even processing it.  I just shook my head like I was some kind of bobble head so she knew I was still listening.  The strangest thing, after looking back on it all, is the feeling that I just wanted to please her or that I couldn’t cry because I needed to be strong.  I asked her different questions about what the biopsy meant and she couldn’t tell me.  At this point the hardest thing was that she didn’t know the details or the main question everyone wanted to know:

Was I going to die? Read More »

I live for the summer.  In the spring, I count down the days until my last final and I miss it terribly during the fall.  I love the way the sun‘s rays touch my skin, I love reading novels lazily on the beach, my morning outdoor runs, and enjoying picnics and BBQs.  I love the skin-exposing, brightly colored fashions I get to wear.  I want nothing more than to be carefree during my favorite season, but unhappily I cannot be. There are two frightening words that come to mind whenever I’m wanting to bask in the sun and they are a constant reminder to apply sunscreen and limit my beloved time in the sun: skin cancer.

With that in mind it certainly is important to apply sunscreen, avoid tanning beds, and limit hours in the sunlight. But obvious these steps are not all that we can do to protect oneself from the sun’s damaging rays. It turns out that the foods we eat can have a protective effect! Read More »

Even though summer should be all about relaxing and enjoying the sun, many of us are so busy with our own internships and work that we often forget to take care of ourselves. And even when we do, pampering on a budget seems almost impossible. (Um, hello $65, one-time facial). Pretty soon we’re pasty, tired and moody to boot.

But what’s an over-worked, underpaid and grumpy girl to do (besides wallow in self-pity and take out her frustration on her poor parents)?

Have no fear. The ladies here at CollegeCandy know how you feel (because we’re feeling it right now) and we want to share our tried and true pick-me-up tricks that won’t burn a hole in that pretty wallet of yours. It’s summer time and you deserve a little love.

Dive in, pamper yourself and thank us later:

Jump into a hot bubble bath.
Since it’s nearly impossible to get a good bubble bath in in college (like you’re gonna lay down in that nasty tub), we often forget what a good bubble bath can do for a girl. It’s luxurious and relaxing, and it won’t cost you a dime. Toss a little Epsom salt in there, light up some candles, turn off the cell phone and turn up the Guster, and you’ve got the whole afternoon to unwind.

Turn off the cell phone and prop open a book.
Yes, the mere thought of going off the cellphone grid for an hour may leave you shaking, but sometimes you just gotta disconnect. And there’s no better way to do that than with a book.  Reading a book will give your mind a rest, free from all that mundane work and life stuff that bogs you down daily. Need a book suggestion? We’ve got plenty. Read More »