Paradise in a Bottle

There's nothing better than the smell of "summer". Whether it be that gorgeous smell of coconut or the sweet smell of freesia or honeysuckle. Whatever your "summer" fix is for the winter blahs, perhaps dabble in True Blue Spa's "Glow & Steady" a daily moisturizer, SPF 15 and gradual self tanner. Smells AMAZING! I usually start with L'Oreal's Sublime spray on self tanner, and maintain with Glow and Steady. The colour is a deep bronze, never orange.

Other self tanners have that awful DHA smell, but this product reminds me of the beach. The scent lasts on your skin all day, and also has a lot of moisturizer in it to keep your skin hydrated. I noticed with a lot of self tanners, especially in the winter, really contributes to dry skin.

Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF for Body has been endorsed and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.  This is a great product for using all year long and safe.  It can be purchased online or in store from Bath & Body Works.  

Tips to Applying a Gorgeous Self Tan:

1.  Skin Preparation - If you have dry skin--and most of us do when it comes to arms and legs--start prepping a few days before applying the tanning product. Moisturize two to three times a day, especially right after bathing. Use a gentle exfoliant all over three days beforehand as well as the day of applying self-tanner (beforehand). Also, apply a thick salve-like cream to especially dry parts like elbows, knees and hands and let it soak in to soften skin. Self-tanner will "grab" on especially dry areas and look unnatural, so get those areas softened before proceeding.
2. Before Applying - Test the self-tanner on an inconspicuous part of your body (like the inner elbow) before slathering it on all over. I know you never test, even though you are always warned you that you must, but trust me on this one. Self-tanner doesn't wash off easily at all. Testing will save you from having an hilarious story that you won't find funny.
3. Start with clean dry skin - Give yourself a few minutes if you've just bathed to ensure that your skin is completely dry. Do not apply any lotion/moisturizer, you might get uneven patches that will be hard to correct. Also, with dry, unmoisturized skin, it will be easier for you to tell if you've missed a spot.
4. Work Quickly - Whether it's spray, cream or gel, the key is to work quickly and evenly. Cover a single area all at once. If you're doing a leg, don't do the lower leg, then the knee and then the thigh; do the entire leg at once. Use enough self-tanner so that you can get the whole leg at once, working quickly. (It's good to practice with lotion a few days before, just so that you're used to quick, all over coverage.) And work evenly. I've found that downward, fanning strokes worked best for even coverage.
5. Go lightly on knees, ankles, elbows and chest
   These are the areas that typically have dry skin patches, so just barely brush over them. You can always apply more if you want.
6. Wash hands often. If you're doing your whole body so that you won't have tan lines, wash the palms of your hands at least once during the application. This stuff works fast. Your palms will have the most exposure, which is another reason to work quickly. And absolutely wash your hands when you're finished. You want colour on the top of your hands, but you don't want your cuticles and palms to look like you've been playing in wood stain. Rub your hands with soap, and rinse both top and bottom of hands, and use a fingernail brush lightly on their cuticles (if you have a fingernail brush that is).
7. Don't touch anything! The instructions on some of these products state that you can dress immediately or within 30 minutes of application, but most suggest waiting one to two hours. I usually wait around 10 minutes depending on the product. If you feel "dry" then you probably are. Otherwise paint your nails, fix your hair, and let at least an hour go by before putting something on. And don't sit on any white sheets or furniture (just sit on a dark-colored towel).
8. Don't Shower! Ever again. Just kidding. But wait at least three hours before swimming or showering.

Maintenance Your tan will last a long time if you continue to use the product. It will start to fade once you discontinue use (obviously). You don't have to wait for your entire tan to be gone before reapplying. When you first begin to notice that your color is fading, go ahead and reapply. Reapplying will also give you a better idea of how dark you can go.

True Blue Spa products are available in the states at Bath & Body Works.