Self-Tanning for the Summer

You've all heard the news: exposure to the sun causes damage to your skin. Damage can come in the form of dark blotches on your skin, freckles and even skin cancer.

With the weather warming up and the sun shining bright through the day, it is hard to resist the pull of the upcoming summer. We all know that when we go outside, we need to protect our skin with sunscreen. But my concern for the summer is not the harmful rays, it's my white legs. I don't want the life long problems that come with baking my skin in the sun all summer long, but I also don't want to look like I have spent my days indoors. So what's a girl to do?

Walking through the department store, I scan the aisles of the different arrays of self-tanners. I feel my head start to spin as I try to make a decision between all the creams, lotions and sprays. Which one works the best? Which one will look most natural? I've done some research on the subject and have listed some self-tanners of my favorite to choose from along with some tips.

- Banana Boat Sunless Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion, deep dark
This tanner is best for people that already have some color, but would like a deeper, darker, richer look. Warning: I do not recommend this product for people who are very pale and have absolutely no color on their skin. If used on pale skin, the lotion comes out looking more orange. On darker skin, the lotion works with the color that is already there to make an even richer tone. The more often you put the lotion on, the darker your skin becomes.

-Clinique Body Quick Bronze Self Tanner
This lotion seems to work best with fair skin. It goes on even with very little streaks, is easy-to-use and and looks the most natural. Con: much more expensive than other brands.

-Sephora Body Self-Tanning Tinted Bronzing Mist
This spray tanner boasts of going on even without unnecessary smoothing or blending. Not so true. The color is great and you can see the areas that you spray, but as with any spray tanner, I recommend going ahead and smoothing out the mist, blending it into your skin. This self-tanner smells great but is also a little more pricey.

-Dove Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer with Subtle Self-Tanners for Fair Skin Tones
Ah, Dove. Yes, Dove. Most products that I have tried from this company are made with quality. This self-tanner is of no exception. I recommend this product for people with very fair skin who want to achieve the most natural and subtle bottle tan. It's for people that may not have tried self-tanners before and would like to try one out with the devastation of a bad bottle tan job.

-St. Tropez Whipped Bronze Instant Self-Tanning Mousse
This self-tanner is one of the most creative ways to self-tan. It does dry instantly and because of that, St. Tropez boasts that you can 'whip it out' any time, any where to tan. If you do this, you still need to be sure that you wash your hands after use and avoid touching anything until you completely dry. Like with any other self-tanner, any contact with clothing with stain.

Tips for Self-tanning:

1. Read the directions: there are many different ways to apply a self-tanner and the company knows what works best with their specific product
2. Avoid and wipe clean your elbows, knees and ankles with a towel to avoid dark spots
3. Try on different tanners. Tanners work different on different skins, so if one self-tanner turns your skin orange, try a different product