"Thanks, I was in St. Tropez"

Sun Series Part 3: Faking It

What you have all been waiting for...my tanning secrets.

Here's me on day ONE of my beach vacation.  How did I get so faux-tan before vacay?  Not a spray tan or tanning beds...

I really would not have much color if it weren't for self-tanner (somehow missed the dark German gene that my dad's family has and got my mom's Swedish genes instead).  And know that we all know how important SPF is (my new fave SPF summer discovery: lightweight Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Guard), and how good self-tanners have gotten, there's really no point in killing more skin cells for a tan that will fade in five days.

I wish I had enough money to invest because I surely would have invested in St. Tropez.  I've been using it for about three years now but it seems like it has finally reached the "tipping point."  People always ask where I went last weekend because I look "so tan."  I joke and say and I went to St. Tropez.

I recommend St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion for body.  I've used their gradual lotion as well but prefer a darker color (I think it's more about preference).  They also have some fun new SKUs including an instant face cream that I just discovered.

I also like Sevin Nyne (yes, Lindsay Lohan's self-tanning brand).  I had someone at Sephora recommend it to me, and it smells really nice.  I use the tanning mist for my face - I spray a tiny bit in my hand and then put it on my face, after I've moisturized.

Here I am again looking nice and golden during winter in Chicago:

Which brings me to...how to tan and make it look natural.  Don't be a victim of orange ankles and scary hands.  Always exfoliate, so you don't get that dead skin buildup (I love this loofah), and put lotion on before applying tanner to body and face.  I have been using Shikai body lotion for over ten years and I still think it's the best (found at Whole Foods, Gardenia and Cucumber scents are my fave).  If you do get funny spots, a good toner, alcohol, or makeup remover should take it off.

And for gosh sake's...always smell a self-tanner before buying it (should you stray from my recs).  You can always sniff the person out who is wearing bad self-tanner.

Photo: Inspiration from Isla Bastimientos (Panama)