It’s getting to be that time of year where some days the temperature is nice enough to wear a shorter dress or short sleeve tops. For most of us, we’re probably really pasty and pale, too.
That was definitely me last month. February had some warmer temperatures for Alabama (like 76 degrees), and so while I want to break out the spring dress with sandals for school, I also don’t want to scare anyone with extremely pasty skin. And if you’re like me, you stay as far as you can from the tanning bed.
I’ve always relied on laying out in the summer (with sunscreen on) to develop a really nice tan, and then that tan usually fades over the colder months. This doesn’t help me when it’s March and I’m able to break out the spring clothes.
(dress)
I’ve never really been interested in using self tanner because of the gross smell until I tried the self tanner from Rodan + Fields when they were running a special last year. I decided to try it since it was only $25 and I knew Rodan + Fields had a really good reputation. (This is in no way a sponsored post although that would be really great if it were ha!) Plus, I knew that if I had some crazy allergic reaction to this stuff (it’s happened before to tanning stuff) then I could return it, so it really was risk-free.
My only issue with the self tanner was the way everyone (and I mean, I did my research online) was telling me how to apply it. They all said to apply it at night before you go to bed, sleep in a long sleeve shirt, pants, and socks, and then your color will be developed by the time you wake up the next morning. Only I cannot sleep in all of that. So I decided to try applying one morning before school and it was great–I didn’t smell that weird tanning smell and my tan was developed by that evening. I just showered it off before going to bed that night, and the color did not transfer to my clothes.
Below I’m giving the tips I’ve found to be the most helpful for me when using the R+F self tanner in order to achieve a natural coloring:
Before Applying: Shower in the morning using an exfoliating shower gel. Make sure your knees, ankles, and elbows are exfoliated well. Apply a thick, creamy lotion (I use Jergens) to your knees and behind them, your elbows and your elbow bend, and your ankles.
Legs: Use two pumps for one leg. Rub into your leg evenly, but do not rub onto your foot–that comes later. Make sure you get every bit of your leg. Wash your hands after applying to your legs.
Arms: Use two pumps and divide evenly in both hands. This will be enough for each arm. Rub evenly into your arms and up onto your shoulder. Don’t forget to get your armpit. Rub all the way onto your wrists, but don’t rub on your hands yet.
Torso: Use two pumps for your whole front torso. Make sure you get around your collarbone evenly. Wash your hands after this.
Back: Get your husband to do your back haha!
Face: Use almost one pump (or use a whole pump) for your face and neck. Make sure you rub into your hairline and onto your ears. Wash your hands.
Hands + Feet: For each hand and foot, rub a little lotion on your knuckles. Then use one cotton round with a very small pump of self tanner and rub evenly on each hand and foot. I use one cotton round for both hands and then one for both feet. Make sure you rub on top of your fingers and toes and the side of your feet–basically getting everywhere sun would hit.
You’re supposed to give yourself 15 minutes to dry completely and for it to soak into your skin before you put on clothes. I apply it right after I get out of the shower and I’ve never had any transfer of color onto my clothes when I finally get dressed for school.
If you don’t have someone to buy the self tanner from, contact me and I’ll give you the info for my girl!
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