Bronze Minus The Beach - A Complete Guide to Sunless Tanning

During the summer months, there's nothing like tanned skin that says while working hard, you play hard too, and that "Life's a beach!" At this point, no one needs to tell you about the serious harm of sun bathing under natural light or in the tanning bed. Aside from the risks of skin cancer, today's natural tan could be the source of tomorrow's wrinkles and, as one person coined, "the luggage look." So what's a girl to do to get a healthy glow?

Self-tanning products have been on the market for years, newer versions promising greater ease of application, less mess, fewer unfortunate cases of streaking and a more authentic-looking tan.

Self-tanning lotion with bronzer by Too Faced: Tanning Bed In A Tube

While the use of these products require money, careful application and maintenance, they sure beat looking forward to Botox and leathery skin in your future. Recent television shows such as "Sunset Tan" and celebrities revealing their use of these products have more and more people turned on to them. What about you?

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Self-tanning lotion (without bronzer) by Neutrogena: Sun Fresh Sunless Lotion

Exfoliator by Booths: Body Scrub & Cleanser,Walnut Shell

Before using any self-tanner, it’s important to begin by exfoliating your face and entire body in the shower. This removes dead skin cells on the surface, allowing the product to permeate your freshest layer of epidermis. This not only ensures an even application but one that will last the longest, as your new bronze will wear off as you shed the tanned skin cells. Therefore excessive sweating, swimming and showering will cause your tan to wear off sooner.

Pre-sunless tan exfoliator by Fake Bake: Body Polish

When choosing an exfoliator or scrub be sure to chose one that doesn't leave behind residue of any kind-such as skin conditioners, essential oils or heavy fragrances, since any residue will interfere with the tanning solution.

Self-tanning products come in lotions, gels, sprays, mousse and pre-moistened wipes. You also can have it applied by a professional who sprays it on you, the choice of most celebrities but also the most costly (you can watch the process in this short clip: Spray tan.)

Mystic Tan and Magic Tan are two companies that have designed booths in which you remove your clothing and stand in different poses as the machine sprays you with tanning solution and blow dries you. (Learn more in the Magic Tan Video.) This is one way to go about it without getting your hands dirty!

Spray-on tanner by Lancôme: FLASH BRONZER AIRBRUSH - Multi-Angle Self-Tanning Spray Even and All-Over Glow

Canned spray-on tanners are also less mess and allow you reach places like your back. Look for bottles that will allow you to spray upside down, because getting to those hard-to-reach places will require all 360 degrees!

Applying most tanning products is a hands-on experience-with a most undesirable side effect of orange palms – a dead giveaway that you’ve faked your bake. One way to avoid this is to moisturize your palms ahead of time with a plain lotion. Wait until the lotion has been absorbed to apply the self-tanner. Immediately after applying the product wash hands with soap or even use an exfloliator.

You may want to reapply it delicately to the top your hands and wrists afterward. If you continue to encounter this problem with your favorite tanner, consider using medical-grade rubber gloves - but make sure they are talc-free!

Self-tanning products come in clear form or contain bronzers. Clear products are subtle and develop over time while bronzers give you an instant glow-but might rub off on your clothing. Tans can take up to four or five hours to fully develop, so think carefully about which you prefer and can tolerate. There are also simple bronzers for those who only want a temporary tan, for both face and body.

Bronzing lotion (without self-tanner) by Lorac: TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer

While some self-tanners are multi-purpose, there are those designed specifically for the face and those for the body. Those with sensitive skin might want to consider a separate tanner for their face that is oil-free and non-comedogenic. Consider that bronzers might interfere with OR enhance your makeup. If you’re planning on being in the sun but want to protect your skin and still develop a tan, some sunscreen lotions have self-tanners mixed in.

Sunscreen and sunless tanner for face by Neutrogena: Build-a-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning for Face, SPF 15

Sunscreen and self-tanner by L'Oreal: Dermo-Expertise Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion - Face / Body,Light-Medium

If you’re not sure about committing to going several shades darker all at once, a popular new product is the gradual tanning moisturizer: a lotion that contains a small amount of self-tanner and is applied daily. A gradual but lighter color develops, which is preferable to some. These products are also useful moisturizers for those trying to prolong their initial tan as well.

Daily moisturizer with subtle self-tanner by Jergens: Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

The downside to faux-tan fading is that unlike a natural tan that fades gradually, fake tans tend to wear off in a patchy fashion and can leave you looking scaly. Self-tanners have a tendency to dry out skin, therefore it’s important to moisturize to prolong your tan for as long as possible. Moisturizers containing some self-tanner are a perfect cocktail to combat this. When you notice blotchiness, mild exfoliation may fade you faster but will even out your tan.

If it sounds complicated it’s not. Once you’ve found the form of tanner you like within your budget and have gotten used to using it, it the process is the same. Just continue to reapply to maintain your tan. It’s a lot less time consuming than baking under the sun. The results are certainly appreciable and you need only listen to the compliments from your friends or look at glowing photos of yourself to see why people are all about the bronze.

About the Author: Born in the Midwest of Japanese and American decent, raised in Hong Kong and educated in Providence, Boston and Paris, Miko Laube currently lives in San Francisco. With professional experience as both a freelance and bridal makeup artist and designer of her own fashion line, Miko believes that the pursuit of beauty and fashion are part of a lifestyle and form of personal expression. Her understanding of a career woman's perspective comes from her own experience working as a wedding coordinator and as a business owner running her own dance company, Dance Visions. You can submit a question to Miko through the "Ask The Expert" section or contact her directly at miko@herstoknow.com.