Bronzing Beauty

For many of my high school years I was addicted to tanning beds. I wanted to be as bronzed as possible and didn't even think about the effects it may have had on my skin. As a natural redhead I am lucky to have skin that actually tans, but at the same time I am still a red head with freckles lets face it UV rays are not my best friend. As I grew older I began to understand and care about the effects tanning beds and sun tanning can have on my skin! I started to be more conscious of my exposure to sun and incorporated an SPF into my daily moisturizer. Don't get me wrong, I still like to lie out in the summer and hit up a tanning bed on the rare occasion. I am just more cautious about protection and exposure. More often than not I opt for a sunless bronze look and I have a few favorite products listed below:

Sun Laboratories overnight self tanner. I found this product through a beauty blog I love called Maskara: http://www.maskcara.com/maskcara/?s=sun+labs 

Cara, the writer of this blog swears by this product and she was 100% right! It gives you instant color (I personally mix it with my lotion so the color is not as drastic). It has minimal smell (it does not smell like a lot of other offensive self tanners) and is dark so you can see where you are applying it. http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Laboratories-Overnight-Tanning-Lotion/dp/B000IOFQWK

Sevin Nyne Spray Tan created by Lindsay Lohan herself. She maybe a bit of a whack job these days, but her spray tan is on point! Its harder to find (as Sephora no longer sells it), but you can purchase on amazon.  Instant color that you bronze you in minutes. I recommend applying in your shower or bronze spray with be covering your floors, walls- everywhere. I personally love it for my face, while I have used it for my whole body- its a bit sticky and has a smell. I prefer to use a lotion for my body and this for my face as it is an easy application.

http://www.amazon.com/Sevin-Nyne-Tanning-Mist/dp/B0020SQRZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1367593121&sr=1-1&keywords=sevin+nyne+tanning+mist


If you live in New York and want a professional spray tan I would highly recommend Brazil Bronze. Located in Soho this place is amazing at what they do!

What to expect: The person who is spray tanning you will ask what color you would like to be and will  make recommendations depending on your skin tone. You get behind a curtain and undress- you can go completely nude or wear a paper thong that they provide. Once undressed your sprayer will put Vaseline on your nails to save your manicure and pedicure. From there they will guide you through various stances as they spray you from head to toe- PS its cold! Once completed you will be instructed to stand in front of a fan for 5 minutes and then get dresses. You will have walked in as a pasty princess and emerge as a bronzed goddess!  I always feel healthier and happy with some color so for me this is a big boost of self confidence- I feel great after!

http://brazilbronze.com/

Keep In Mind:
1)They always have deals of Groupon or Gilt so look before you book your appointment you might be able to save around $20 bucks.
2) They book up rather quickly if you have a date in mind don't wait around to book.
3) Wear something that fits you loosely and is dark (ie a maxi black dress is perfect) you don't want to put a bra, a watch or anything else that rubs against your skin after being sprayed. Don't wear anything light because the color will rub off. After you shower the color will not run.
4) You can't shower for a least 8 hours after they spray tan you, so if you have a major event book the appointment the day before.
5) You will smell after so you will def want to shower before going anywhere!