Get Your Glow On
A Spring Breaker’s Guide to Self-Tanning
By Sam Georgson, Contributing Writer
It’s the time of year when many travel-thirsty people are booking flights, searching for Airbnb spots or all-inclusive hotels and scrambling to order new swimsuits for the upcoming season. That’s right, spring break is almost here. The snow is starting to melt, midterms are upon us and students are left to daydream during study breaks about upcoming vacation plans.
Many are already thinking about what to pack, keeping in mind suitcase weight limits and size restrictions. Others might be focusing on finalizing plans for excursions and day trips. Some might still be stuck in their studies, burrowing down into textbooks before delving into any holiday planning.
No matter where your head is at the moment, you may want to consider the status of your skin if you are heading somewhere tropical and sunny soon. Before skipping off to the sandy shores of your spring break destination, don’t forget to get your glow on.
The biggest burden Midwesterners bear when planning spring break travel is that of our bare skin. After months of covering up, we are forced to consider our options for blending in with the locals and protecting our skin when trying to bare all at the beach. This is where self-tanner works its miracles. There are many ways to self-tan that will help you regain a healthy summer glow — sans harmful UV rays.
If you are fair-skinned or new to tanning, you should take a gradual approach to your first self-tanning experience. Gradual tanning solutions are meant to work with your skin tone and pigmentation and take you one-to-two shades darker. You can apply them every few days until you have reached your desired shade of bronze.
Jergens is arguably the brand that started the gradual tanning craze; their Natural Glow self-tanner leaves you with an even golden tan that is perfectly subtle. It takes a bit of time to dry after applying, unlike some of the more expensive, luxury options, but it is still the best value. La Mer also has a wonderful gradual tanner if you are interested in a more high-end product. This version can also be used on your face to give an all-over even glow.
If you have a medium skin tone, your complexion already has a touch of warmth and you can get away with using a darker sunless tanner. However, choosing the right formula is still incredibly important in order to avoid the dreaded orange effect.
If you want to look like you just got back from a beach vacation before you even catch your flight, you should opt for a dark range. The St. Tropez Dark Bronzing Mousse works with the melanin already in your skin to deliver your most natural dark tan. On the other hand, if you are just hoping to achieve a light bronze glow, a classic formula will do the trick. Guerlain’s Terracotta Sunless Mist gives you a natural sun-kissed effect and is incredibly easy to blend.
If you have dark skin and want to achieve a more even skin tone before your vacation without actually going deeper in color, applying a gradual self-tanner will help disguise any imperfections, evening out your overall complexion and giving you a radiant finish. Vita Liberata’s Body Blur in mocha does not promise to deepen your skin tone like other self-tanners, but it will even out any discoloration and hyperpigmentation for an airbrushed finish.
On the other hand, if you have a dark complexion and want an even deeper glow, you will need a product that caters to the rich undertones of your skin without giving that faux bronze look. Ironically enough, Fake Bake Flawless Darker is a cult-favorite that has been praised for its ability to take dark skin to an even deeper, natural-looking shade without appearing fake or milky.
If you have dry skin, you will want to look for a self-tanning moisturizer or ultra-hydrating lotion. First Aid Beauty has a gradual self-tanning moisturizer that is rich with coconut oil, vitamin E, shea butter and aloe vera, making it one of the best sunless options for anyone with sensitive or dry skin. The color it leaves behind is subtle, so you will need to make this part of your everyday routine to see a real difference.
You can even turn your favorite moisturizer into a self-tanner by adding a booster to the formula. Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster is an oil that you can infuse in your own lotion for everyday use. It will take a few days to see results, but the glow it leaves behind is worth the wait.
If you have oily skin, you will want an absorbent product that takes little time to dry. St. Tropez Tinted Everyday Moisturizer is a light-weight formula that absorbs fairly quickly, giving you an even and smooth tan at a reasonable price.
No matter your skin type or tone it is important to take the precautionary steps before attempting any of these self-tanning methods. Self-tanners do not mix well with any other products, so before applying any of these moisturizers or getting a professional spray tan, you should hesitate to use any other lotions or deodorants. It is also recommended that you exfoliate the night before for the best results.
Many of you might already be thinking about the swimsuits you want to pack or deciding which beach villa is the best value. For those of you looking to get your glow on before you go splashing around in the ocean, these are a few safe and promising ways to self-tan before hitting the beach for some real sun.