Spray Tanning: Winter-White Skin

Who doesn’t love winter-white skin?! *insert eye roll*

Spray tanning and using sunless products are the best ways to add a little glow to your winter wonderland body. Try EnvyTan’s Lasting Envy: Spray Tan in a Can ($24). Fabulous color and easy application make it ideal for everyone.

Lasting Envy has a 12% DHA level. For those of you who don’t know, DHA is the active ingredient in spray tans and sunless products that reacts with the skin and is responsible for the color change we call a sunless tan. 12% is perfect for people who already have color, whether that means naturally medium-dark skin or skin kissed by the sun. People with fairer skin should be a bit more conservative when using Lasting Envy (or any 12% product)—you don’t want to go overboard!

So what happens if you do?

There are many at-home ways to remove a spray tan.

My favorite is to apply baby oil to the affected areas. Allow this to soak in for about 45 minutes. Then soak in a warm/hot bath and use a loofah to buff away the offending tan. It may take more than one trip to the tub, but it will definitely get you where you want to be.

You can also try exfoliating with scrubs, applying lemon juice to fade the tan, or rubbing baking soda into damp skin to even out discolored or streaky patches.

Tips for next time?

Always be sure you follow the directions for sunless products. When it says “Exfoliate,” make sure you exfoliate! Those instructions are on there for a reason, not just to take up space. Exfoliating your entire body sloughs off dead skin cells, allowing the tan to be applied to the freshest cells possible, which makes for a more even, longer-lasting tan. Grab a container of Ambush: Pre-Tan Exfoliating Scrub ($26) for fabulous (not to mention deliciously-scented) results.

Try to avoid using tons of product on dry areas of the body. Elbows and knees can soak up self tanner like nobody’s business—leaving you with “oompa-loompa pox!”

Don't forget... if you ever have a question or concern, it's easiest to address it before the tan is applied, rather than attempt to fix it after!

Written by Envy Tan

Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer

A spray or airbrush tan is the best way to maintain a glow without feeling guilty but how can you make it last? Spray tanning any more frequently than once every two weeks is time consuming and expensive, so knowing the best preservation methods is in your best interest. Without proper aftercare your tan could fade quickly and even become patchy.

Following these important aftercare instructions will keep your tan looking tremendous.

• Wear loose dark colored clothes to your appointment
• Bring flip flops to your tanning appointment and wear them on your way out. 
• Avoid wearing socks until after you've showered. 
• No bra or belt immediately after your tan
• Avoid the shower for 8-10 hours following your appointment. The longer you wait, the better
• If you went in to the tan snowman-white, rinse the tan off 8 hours after the appointment
• After the first day, use a moisturizing body wash to cleanse and hydrate the skin
• Do not wax any sooner than 3-5 days after your treatment
• Do NOT use wash cloths, scrubs or exfoliants after tanning
• Keep your tan well hydrated (this is especially important for Denver spray tans because of the lack of humidity)- moisturize twice daily
• Avoid mineral oils and baby oil products
• Don't use scented body lotions or washes- they'll fade the tan faster. 
• No long hot showers or baths
• Skip the gym! You have my permission. Don't exercise for 10 hours or until after you've showered. 
• Absolutely NO hot tubs or steam rooms!
• If you swim in a chlorinated pool, apply sun block before getting into the water. 
• Don't go into the sun unprotected! Your spray tan will not protect you from the sun's rays

Top 5 Self Tanning Products

Winter is here and your skin hasn't seen the sun in days. To avoid becoming easily lost in a snow bank make sure you have your tanning planned out. One of the least expensive (though sometimes hazardous  tanning methods is at home self tanner. There are hundreds of self tanners to choose from so doing so may be daunting. I've compiled this list of the top 5 self tanners on the market to help sift through the enormous variety.

Self tanners will react differently with your skin. Paying more for your tanner does not necessarily mean that you have found a better product. Some tanners can be purchased for as little as $10 and as much as $50 and price doesn't always represent the quality or how it will react with your skin. Moisturizing cream and lotion formulas are great for dry or aging skin. The lotions and moisturizing creams are easier to manipulate on your skin than spray tanning or gel products. However, if you are looking for a fast drying tanner, sprays and gels will be more effective. For the best results, you should choose a product that has a tint in the product so you can see where you have applied it and avoid streaking.