4 Fabulous Fake Tans

Tanning is taboo. Yup, I said it. We all know that lying out in the sun can cause skin cancer. More recently, the World Health Organization has linked tanning beds with a 75 percent increase in melanoma risk. I want no part of that! So what's a pasty skinned, pale faced girl to do? Well, you can revel in your Snow White status, or simply fake it. Here are the three best ways to fake a tan.

Salon spray tan. Many salons offer a spray tanning service, whichget you the most professional results. Clients step into a tanning booth and are sprayed with a chemical, such as DHA , which darkens the skin. The result is temporary and usually last about five to seven days, or until the skin cells which have been darkened, are shed. For an even better tan, a technician can air brush the tan on your skin. This is a more time consuming, more costly version of a spray tan. Mystic Tan is a popular salon tanning service. You can find out more at www.mystictan.com .

Home spray tan. For the ultimate Do-It-Yourself-ers, there are several at home spray tans on the market. The principal is the same; you purchase a home kit and then you can give yourself an airbrushed tan at your leisure. It certainly saves you money in the long run, however, you must take care to cover all areas evenly. This isa lot harder to do on yourself than you might think. Luminess Tan, featured by Good Morning America and Allure Magazine, boasts a DIY tan that lasts up to 14 days. For around $150 dollars, you can purchase a tanning system from luminesstan.com which will give you about 10 full body tans. On the other hand, Temptu makes an airbrush system that you can use for makeup and temporary tanning. This system costs around $300 and can be purchased at www.temptu.com . However, this is a makeup based bronzer, not a lasting tan.

Self Tanning Aerosols. If you want to glow but not pay so much dough, you might try Neutrogena's Micromist Sunless Tan Spray. Coming in at around $10, this is an inexpensive way to see if you like a spray tan. Be thorough, and allow at least five minutes for the spray to dry. These types of self tanners are available at your local Walgreens or even www.walmart.com .

Self Tanning Lotions. My favorite self tanner is Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. Just apply it every day, and it slowly darkens your skin to a bit of a bronzy glow. It won't look like a fake tan, just a bit of color for us pasty and pale folks. Of course, you want to be careful not to miss any spots, but coming in around $8 a bottle, this is one of the most cost effective solutions. It's also available at www.walmart.com .

Tips for the best results. For best results, you need to exfoliate before any tanning service. Make sure you protect your eyes, and try not to breathe in any of the mist from a spray tan. Apply moisturizer to the bottoms of your feet (being extremely careful not to slip!) and your nails before you tan to prevent staining. And always remember that a tan of any kind will not protect you from the sun, so always wear sunscreen, no matter what your skin tone.