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The other day while getting dressed for work, I ditched my tights and opted for bare legs...that is until I was taking some OOTD pictures and noticed how pale and dry they were. Ick. I put on tights before I left the house because I realized it was only 50 degrees out that morning...it did get into the 70's later in the day but I had some early morning meetings that would have caused me to freeze my tootsies off if I hadn't had tights on.
Well ladies, it was time to take some action. Last night I "hit the bottle" and airbrush tanned my entire body before bed (I always do this- I get better results when I let it sink in for the 8 hours I sleep and I don't have to worry about walking around smelling horrible all day.) I also haven't been working out so I needed a skinny boost (self-tans make me feel like I've lost 5 lbs...or at least make me look more toned. oh the deception.)
I am a big supporter of airbrush tanning formulas. In my opinion, airbrush formulas are among the best self tanning products because they have a higher rate of successful at-home application. The fine mist creates an even finish and because you don't need to rub airbrush formulas into the skin, it leaves less room for error.
When I use gel or cream formulas I end up with more "missed" areas and it is so much more effort than using an airbrush formula. Having said that, I do LOVE a lot of cream and gel formulas, but I recommend them only for advanced self-tanners.
Last night I used Victoria Secret's "Bare Bronze" airbrush self tanner for the first time. I got it after the holidays 75% off during their beauty sale and never got around to using it. I am so glad I finally tried it because it is amazing. Great color, easy to apply, didn't miss a spot, dried quickly, smell was not atrocious.
So imagine my horror when I found out it was discontinued. Yep. Always happens. However, I am confident that VS might have just re-branded their self tanner line because I saw on their website that they have a new Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray. Of course it is once again limited edition.
I plan to try this new formula and see how it compares to the Bare Bronze. Like I said, it could just be the same product re-branded, a lot of companies do that. I do love the hot pink packaging on this new formula. I'm a sucker for it. Make something pink and I want it!
Anyways, I can't really recommend "Bare Bronze" because it's no longer available, so I'm committing to testing out the new formula to let you all know if it's good (*crossing my fingers that it's as awesome as Bare Bronze!*)
Here's what I wore the day of the pale legs (and hey, there is nothing wrong with paleness at all,I just haven't been working out lately and have been working late and all that combined plus the paleness just made me feel blah...pluslaso my skin has been going crazy lately. Like breakouts crazy...not sure what's going on.)
skirt- ann taylor, top- ann taylor, cardigan- express, pumps- jessica simpson
The Ann Taylor skirt I'm wearing is one of my favorites. It has a subtle textured leopard print. Now that spring is around the corner, I need to stop wearing tights (sad, cause I love em') and start to bare my legs. Problem is, some of the skirts that looked awesome/appropriate with opaque black tights (they were never shorter than a bit above the knee) just don't look right with bare legs, especially because I'm tall.
So this weekend, I am hitting the Galleria to embark on a search for lightweight material skirts that are long enough to wear with bare legs (because um, too-short skirts are as offensive as major cleavage at the office.)
I will let you know if I find any skirts that fit the ticket after my shopping trip. I do own some skirts that are perfect bare-leg length, but I'd like to expand on this collection so there's more variety/choices.
If you've seen any awesome skirts lately, please let me know where in the comments below! Also- when do you start using self tanner (if you use it at all?) Do you break it out the moment you have bare legs or do you wait until summer proper?
xoxo,
Veronika.
Hello lovely readers. I typically like to keep this blog pretty lighthearted and fun, but this is an issue I'm so passionate about that it's hard for me not to preach about it.
WARNING, I'M ABOUT TO PREACH!
Skin Cancer. The rates are higher than ever before. In fact, research suggests that people who start using sunbeds under the age of 35 increase their risk of malignant melanoma (skin cancer) by 75 percent.
75 percent. Think about that number.
I worked at a tanning salon for more than 4 years through some of high school and college. Living in Canada, tanning felt so amazing in the winter months and I loved having color on my skin. It was addictive. I never felt "dark enough," and I loved the feeling of laying in a warm tanning bed.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have never tanned in beds, and I never would have told so many people how "healthy" it was for them. I feel disgusted that I used to tell people that tanning was good for their skin and prevented cancer because of the vitamin D you get. I wanted to believe it was true, but it simply isn't. Tanning causes premature aging and melanoma, bottom line.
Now I do know better, and I've never stepped foot into a tanning bed since. I wear sunscreen in the sun (most of the time SPF 30-70, depending on the situation.) I'm so passionate about this issue because I feel the need to "make right" all of the very wrong information I used to "teach" people about indoor tanning.
Tanned skin- so gorgeous, yet so bad for you. Gorgeous tans come in bottles too!
I have skin cancer checks each year. My skin check for 2009 was today. Basically it involves visiting your dermatologist, stripping down, and having every piece of skin on your body examined for irregularities, moles etc. The dermatologist will take note of any suspicious areas they would like to "watch" (meaning seeing if the mole changes in size, color, etc.)
Ladies, I can't stress this enough- these skin checks are not only important, but can be life-saving. Catching a melanoma early has a much higher survival rate. When it's too advanced, it is just devastating.
So, have you seen your dermatologist for a skin-check this year? If not, please book an appointment as soon as your schedule permits, and make a commitment to yourself, your skin (and your life.)
You can self-check your body and look for these signs to see if you have any suspicious moles:
I truly believe in being proactive about any aspect of your health, not just when it comes to skin cancer. A lot of people hate going to the doctor because they are nervous or embarrassed, but trust me, your doctor has seen and heard much worse than what you're showing or describing to him or her. Much worse.
Though I no longer use tanning beds, I still love to have color on my skin. I switched exclusively to self tanners and haven't looked back! Click here to read about my favorite self tanners.
I saw this postcard on PostSecret last Sunday, and I have to say this: Maybe some people can't take people who use self-tanner seriously, but hey, it's better than frying your skin in the sun all day and risking cancer and wrinkles. I actually respect it more when women choose the bottle over the bed. It shows me they care about their health and their skin.
Thank you to everyone who read this far, I appreciate you taking the time to read about something I'm so passionate about. Please ask your loved ones to have their skin checked too. You could help save someone's life, or your own.
Do you get your skin checked for cancer each year? Are you a converted tanning-bed-a-holic like me?
xoxo,
Veronika.
PS- while at the dermatologist, I also got a prescription for Tazorac for fine lines (a retinol treatment) and also for Latisse. I'm not sure if I'm going to try the Latisse yet. I'd love to but I'm not 100% on it just yet. Have you used it?
PSS- Just to clarify, I still do "lay out" in the sun occasionally in the summer by the pool. I wear SPF, a BIG wide-brimmed hat and BIG sunglasses too. I enjoy the sun, I'm just smart about it, especially when it comes to my face.
I used to work at a tanning salon...for more years than I'd like to admit. Now I know better, and am 100% against tanning beds and wear sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when I am out in the sun all day. Tanning beds not only ruin your skin, but increase your melanoma cancer risk by 75 percent, if you use tanning beds and sunlamps before 30 years of age, according to this recent report by the CDC.
75 percent- such a scary number. I haven't used a tanning bed since moving to Houston almost 3 years ago. I just don't have an interest in aging my skin and increasing my risk of getting skin cancer. I am so passionate about this subject, that I preach to anyone that will listen. With tanning beds out of the question, I had to look for other options to amp up my porcelain pale skin. I find that having a tan evens out my skin tone and makes me feel thinner and more toned. So instead of using gross, carcinogenic tanning beds, I hit the bottle.
I have found several self-tanning formulas over the past few years that have become weekly staples for me, and I will list my top picks here, so you too can achieve a gorgeous tan without harming your skin.
My number one choice for special events is to get a professional airbrush tan. I go to Kristy at Body Brushed in Houston. Her price in unbeatable at 35$ per tan (plus tip, of course) and she uses one of the larger airbrush "guns"- the ones you are actually supposed to use for a tan, versus the tiny airbrush guns some places use that are more suited for makeup application. Tell Kristy Veronika sent you- she will take great care of you, I promise! She is located in the Galleria area at Tranquility spa.
Favorite Self Tanning Products:
1. Clarins SPF 6 Tanning Milk
I use this creamy formula on my face only, and apply it after washing my face, before bedtime. Upon waking, my skin is infused with awesome, but natural looking color. Don't forget your neck!
2. Xen Tan
I actually got a sample of this product from the wonderful ladies at The Knot. It is a formula with the consistency of a lotion that is totally scary in the bottle-dark gray. The first time I saw it, I thought it was expired because of the color. Turns out, this formula gives an incredible, deep tan, with a brown/olive look to it (more of a "real" tan look). It also smells devine- like vanilla, which is incredible for a self tanner. You have to be careful with this formula, and wash hands in between applying to areas of the body, but other than that, it is a wonderful formula and pretty easy to use...but I would recommend this for more advanced at-home self tanning use.
3. L'oreal Sublime Bronze Lotion, Gel
This formula gives great color. The gel takes really long to dry and smells awful, but the price (it is available at most drug stores) is unbeatable. Be careful with both formulas on hands and feet, if you use too much (like I have, many-a-time) your feet will look like oranges.
4. L'oreal Sublime Bronze Airbrush
I like this self-tanner because the airbrush is easy to use, doesn't need to be rubbed in, and dries quickly. The color is definitely not as dark as some of the other formulas, but I like to use this when I need to "touch up." I also like to use this to self tan my feet, no matter what product I am using on the rest of my body, because feet are better off with a light coat of airbrush self tanner than trying to get them perfectly even using a cream or lotion formula. I also like this for the face, though I typically use it only on my body. The smell isn't great, but like all L'oreal Sublime products, I can deal with the scent because the price is right.
5. Banana Boat Airbrush Self Tanner I tried this one recently when the L'oreal was sold out- and it wasn't bad. It gets an "A plus" for its fruity scent. I wasn't particularly impressed with the color results though- I knew a product this yummy smelling couldn't possibly give awesome color though, so I wasn't expecting much. This would be a good choice for someone who wants light color.
6. St. Tropez Self Tanning lotion
I used this formula for quite some time and it is excellent- gives a "just spent a week on the beach in the Caribbean" look...however, it is pricey. This formula, much like Xen Tan's is really dark, so you have to be careful when applying and wash hands in between. Another option is to use gloves, but I typically find that just washing your hands really thoroughly works well. If you'd like to splurge on a great self tanner, this would be a top choice. I remember my bottle lasting really long. I also liked to use this product, mixed with my daily moisturizer to tone its intensity down a bit, on my face. And finally, my thoughts on gradual self tanners- personally, I would rather only have to self-tan once a week so I don't have to deal with the smell. Gradual tanning lotions do smell a bit better, but since you have to apply them daily to build color...it just seems like a lot of work to me. I'd rather use a stronger product and have a tan that lasts 5-7 days.
VS Model Marissa Miller's tan is perfection.
VS Model Miranda Kerr's ever-so-coveted glow
Carmen Electra's pretty facial tan- love the makeup here, too. A perfect complement to her glowing tan skin.
skirt- ann taylor, top- ann taylor, cardigan- express, pumps- jessica simpson
