How To Get a Summertime Glow Without the Sun
As someone whose complexion could be described as about as white as a piece of paper, getting a tan just isn’t something that ever happens to me. Self tanner was also never an option — we’ve all experienced the instant regret of putting on that orange-toned self tanning cream, even if it was in a lighter colour meant for pale skin tones. However, things have recently changed with self tanner! It looks like more and more companies are figuring out how to get the olive-tone we all really want. With the help of Luna Bronze, I’ve finally been able to experience having a tan! The best part is, it’s more safe since there’s no UV from the sun or a tanning booth involved, and it makes it a viable option for the winter. So, how do I do it? Let’s chat about that.
Prepping For The Tan
Though all of this can be found on the Luna Bronze website, I want to tell you what I use, how I apply it & everything in between. Let’s start with how I prepare to put on my self tanner.
I start by showering the evening before, taking time to shave my legs & using an exfoliant — I use the Mango Body Scrub from The Body Shop, but Luna Bronze has their own called Back To Base — on areas of my arms & legs that self tanner tends to build up (i.e, elbows, knees & ankles), and just quickly all over where I’m going to be applying my self tanner (usually just my arms and legs) to remove any dead skin that could hold onto the tan. When I’m done all I need to do in the shower, I dry off & then moisturize every place where I plan to apply my tanner, and take extra care to make sure my elbows, wrists, knees and ankles are moisturized. Once that is done, I carry on with the rest of my evening, hit the hay & then plan to get up a little earlier than usual to put my self tanner on.
Applying The Tanner
Now comes time to actually apply the tanner! Luna Bronze sells two options for tanner, depending on what you like – the Radiant Self Tanning Lotion, or the Eclipse Tanning Mousse, which is available in both medium & dark. I personally use the Radiant Self-Tanning Lotion!
Making sure your skin is clean & dry (but moisturized!), squeeze some of your self-tanner either into your hand or onto a Tanning Mitt, and make sure to rub it all in so there’s no build up and to do your best to evenly apply it (this is where the mitt comes in to help you out!). If you plan on applying self tanner to your back, Luna Bronze even sells a Self Tan Back Applicator so you don’t have to ask anyone else to do it for you. Apply wherever you plan to put your self tanner, let your skin absorb it before continuing on with your day & make sure to wear dark, loose clothing when allowing your tan to set throughout the day.
Once you’ve let the tanner sit on for the desired amount of time, hop into the shower for a quick rinse & your tan will continue to develop, but now you can safely wear some lighter colours (though, I don’t necessarily recommend it right away!).
Maintaining Your Tan
If you’re hoping to keep this tan going for a few days, I highly recommend picking up a bottle of their Glow Tanning Moisturizer Lotion to apply between the days that you plan on tanning. This is also another great option for if you’re new to applying self tanner, or you’re really pale like me. This lotion is buildable so if you’re not sure if you’ll love a dark tan, or don’t want to go to far on the first try, give this stuff a shot!
What About Your Face?
I know not everyone wants to apply self tanner to their face, but if you do, Luna Bronze sells a couple of options for you. Their first option is the Illume Face Tanning Mist, which does exactly what you think it does – it’s a mister that you spray onto your face to give your face & neck a slight glow. The other option is their Good Night Face Bronzing Serum that you can either apply directly to your face, or add it to your night time moisturizer. Either of these options are sure to leave your skin glowing!
So, are you new to the world of self-tanning? I know I still am, and this blog post features all of the things I’ve learned as a beginner. Do you already self tan? If so, do you use Luna Bronze or another company? I know I’ve heard that St-Tropez’s self tanner is another great option. Thanks for reading along, and I’ll see you again on Friday for a new blog post!
* All images sourced from Luna Bronze.
