All About Looking Good - Or at least trying

Who Doesn't Like Having a Nice Tan?

I personally think I look much better with a little more color than I naturally have. However, first the sun causes so much damage to our skin when we lay out and second, for some reason lately any time I am in the sun for any length of time I seem to get sun poisoning (or something weird) because I break out like something awful!

SO.... I decided I would try a self-tanner at home. I have tried spray tan at a salon before and I loved the results but it can be a little pricey so I was looking for a little more affordable option. I have tried lotions before and I am just a true failure at those so I thought I would try a spray tan at home.

I decided to try The Banana Boat Summer color Self-Tanning  Mist.

It cost me $6.97 at Walmart and so I thought I would grab 2 cans because I honestly had no idea how much it would take and I didn't want to run out like half body!

Prep is super important! You need to make sure you have already shaved and exfoliated really well. I have a different different exfoliators I have tried and I will actually be sharing later in the week something I have tried out recently. After you exfoliate, I make sure that I have a damp towel or washcloth so I can wipe my hands or any mishaps right away!  Pay attention to elbows and knees because these areas tend to be drier and soak this stuff up! Also, I put a barrier on my feet around my heals and the really dry areas including between my toes and around the cuticles. I do the same thing on my hands as well. Remember the drier the areas are the more they soak the color up. After getting done with the spray I took my wet towel and wiped my feet really good and actually sat them in the tub and did another exfoliate on my heals to make sure they didn't soak the spray up (I know I am a little over the top but I don't want orange feet!)

I did the spray tan in my shower so I wouldn't get it all over the place. I turned on the vents, even though this does have a citrus scent (much better than most self tanners) it still is strong and seemed there was cloud of spray. As you can tell from the picture we have a big mirror which really helped me pay attention to what I was doing.

My pics below could have been better - but hey I am new at this and the ones of my arms (the second set) I know I could have done them the same direction but hey one was at night before I did it before bed and the after was when I woke up - so cut a girl some slack.  The color difference isn't drastic but the pictures don't quiet do it justice, I am darker but it isn't so dark if I had screwed up I would be in big trouble. It is natural looking and I am really happy. I might do a second application to see if it gradually gets darker.

Before                                    After

BeforeAfter

After I took my morning after shower I decided to try my new lotion I bought from Victoria Secrets. I tried this out because Raven over at A Mommas Desires and Pacifiers did a rave review I thought I have to try this! I did take some pics but my camera just doesn't show it good enough. This is a slightly colored lotion with some shimmer. It looks great and I love it! It was just enough to add a little bit of pick me up but it isn't like you see me sparkling a mile away! It is a nice summer pick me up and I think it complimented my new tan nicely.

Have you ever tried a self-tanner? How did it turn out? I am so curious to see how it turned out for all of you and what brands you tried!