You have spent hundreds or thousands on your dress, makeup, hair and shoes; B is here to make sure you have the sun-kissed tan to match.
There are two extremes when it comes to the pigment colour of skin. There’s the pasty, transparent look from months of hiding under long sleeves and woolly’s; or the streaky, orangey hue, which can look as cheap as the bottle it came from. Achieving the in-between shades of golden brown can be difficult. The important thing is that it looks natural, it should say ‘I just got back from the Caribbean’ not ‘I have been sitting in my cubical all winter’ or ‘I just got back from the sun.’
Everyone is different, and there are many factors to take into consideration when considering how you will get your tan. The decision is yours; but B is here to make sure you are fully briefed in your pursuit of perfect pigmentation.
Tan In a Can
The DIY of self tan. It’s usually the least expensive option of the three, but the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ can apply. However, with careful attention to detail (i.e. ankles, hands and knees) you can have the bronzed tan you want, for a lot less than the other options. Here are a couple tips.
- Leave enough time for trial and error. Try, and try again, so when the final run does happen you are well rehearsed.
- Shower and exfoliate. A good scrub down right before application will ensure you get the most from the colour.
- Start with your legs, then your torso and finally your arms. Apply the tanner a little heavier than you would normal lotion.
- Smooth onto your face and neck lastly. You may need to purchase a different product for face and neck to avoid breaking out.
Spray-on Tan
For around €40, and a visit to a tanning salon you can have a professional spray the tan for you. This is usually a streak free and smooth colour that lasts four to seven days. It is still a good idea to do a trial run several weeks in advance, to make sure it works for your skin.
- Moisturize a couple hours before you go for your spray tan. This will ensure that the tan attaches to healthy skin, and will last longer.
- Wipe off after the application. To avoid drips, dry your whole body before leaving the booth.
- Wear loose fitting clothing so the tan does not come off.
Salon Bed Tan
Rain or shine, the use of a tanning bed or room can provide the natural, sun kissed glow just like the real sun. By using high ratios of UV rays, sun beds and rooms are the simplest way to achieve a lasting tan. Salons charge around €1 a minute. It will take several weeks to get your tan; you will need to go at least twice a week until you reach your desired colour, then once a week to maintain the tan. It is important to note that skin cancer is caused by over-exposure to UV rays. If you do go with this option make sure you follow directions closely and only tan for the recommended time. For more information consult your health care provider. To maximise your fake and bake experience follow these tips.
- Shave, shower and exfoliate, a day before your session.
- Always wear protective eye wear and remove contact lenses. Significant damage can be done to your eyes without proper protection. The salon should have goggles available.
- Consult the salon technician for how long you should tan for. Choose the shortest amount of time to avoid burning.
- Use tanning lotion. To get a deep, lasting tan base use the special tanning lotion available at the salon.
B Safe
- It is recommended you wear SPF under your makeup everyday, this keeps your skin youthful and protects from harmful UV rays.
- Make sure you are informed on the safety hazards of both tanning from a can, and from sun beds. Consult the Irish Cancer Society about the risks of tanning and skin cancer at www.cancer.ie.
- Be mindful of medications that may increase your sensitivity to UV rays.
Article from the Spring Issue of B Magazine.
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