How to Get Your (Faux) Glow On

Summer is quickly approaching, and if you’re like me, you’re white as a ghost. I stopped going to a tanning bed almost a year ago, and my skin went from a nice golden tan to a pasty white.

So how do I get my glow on now? I fake it, of course! You could go to your local drugstore and get some cheap self-tanners, but sometimes you get what you pay for and you end up orange. Now that’s not pretty! Sephora has a a great variety of self-tanners, so here are some self-tanners that can help you achieve your faux glow and get your ready for the summer!

(And just so you know, this is NOT a sponsored post for Sephora… it’s just my humble and accurate opinion on some really good self-tanners!)

1. St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Self-Tanning Classic Bronzing Mousse {$32-42}
2. Tarte Better Bod Bronze & Contour + Mitt {$39}
3. Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel {$38}
4. Vita Liberata Tanning Travel Essentials {$35}
5. Kate Sommerville 360 Tanning Towelettes {$48}
6. TanTowels Self-Tanning Towelettes {$27}
7. Sephora Tanning Wipes {$12}
8. Caudalie Divine Legs {$38}
9. Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Enlightenment Duo {$36}
10. Say Hello To My Sexy Legs Tinted Glow Gel {$38}

And when you’re ready to buff off the old self-tanner off in order to apply a fresh coat of self-tanner, then try the Bronze Buffer self-tanning removers. For only $10, they are a steal!

Steps I take to achieve the perfect faux tan:

I use a couple of different kinds of self-tanners to achieve that sun-kissed look. But before I apply any self-tanner, I take careful steps to make sure.

1. I use a body brush, or dry brush gloves, and go over my entire body. I pay special attention to my elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, heels, and toes. Those places tend to absorb self-tanner and can end up looking not-so pretty.
2. Then I hop in a hot shower and use a homemade coffee sugar scrub (made with grapeseed oil or coconut oil) to slough off the dead skin. The oil in the scrub leaves my skin feeling so soft and I don’t have to use any shaving gel because the coconut oil helps me get a super close shave.
3. After I get out of the shower and dry off, I wipe my body down with a TanTowels self-tanning towelette.
4. Then I layer on St. Tropez Tanning Essentials classic bronzing mousse, which gives you an instant tan. It’s not too dark, but just gives you a hint of color.
5. Then I top it off with the Equate brand of the Jergens Healthy Glow moisturizer.
6. WASH and SCRUB YOUR HANDS with soap and water, lest you fall prey to the overly-tanned palms (which are a dead give away that your tan is fake)!**It’s a lot, I know, but my faux tan looks great and natural (translation: I don’t look orange)!**

Now go out and get your (faux) glow on!

Yours Truly,
Vanessa