Now that summer's finally here, we all want that beautiful golden glow, the kind brazilian models sport on the runway, the perfect bronzed tan which makes your skin look and feel amazing.
It might sound crazy, but you too, can achieve the most effortless glowing bronze skin, without any bronzers, fake tan, or tanning beds!
I get very tanned every summer, without any fake bake products, no spray tans, no tanning beds, no bronzing lotions, nothing! All naturally!
People always ask me, "Where do you tan? Are you naturally this tanned? Do you use spray tan?"
Well, I'll be honest, as I said, I'm actually not a big fan of tanning beds/solariums, I very much prefer tanning outside in the sun naturally. I just love the feeling of laying in the sun with some water sprinkled all over your body and just relaxing, soaking up the sun.
This is what I've been waiting for all winter! So I could just lay back and enjoy every moment.
I know that a lot depends on a persons skin type, I have olive skin, so obviously tanning is much easier for someone with darker skin, but I believe everyone can achieve that perfect summer look!
Last year we got insanely tanned with my boyfriend in practically just a few days!
There are of course tips & tricks which help boost your progress!
Here are some of my (all natural) tips which are bound to work wonders:
1. My first advice is, before you even do anything, EXFOLIATE!
It's important to rub away the dead skin cells or any loose, rough skin and oils before you go out in the sun.
If you don't do this, there's a chance you will end up with an uneven tan!
2. The second most important thing you should know is to NEVER ever go sunbathing with makeup on.
I know some people who go to the beach in full party makeup and it's just ridiculous. Not only do you look like a clown, but you're damaging your skin too!
I love makeup, because I think it's a great way of expressing yourself, and it's truly like art, where you can just let your imagination run wild, but please. Not for tanning. Not even eyeliner, or lipstick. I'm serious. Try using lip balm instead, and make sure you remove any excess makeup.
You don't want to have spots on your face and your skin to look blotchy for the rest of your life, do you?
It's really really important.
3. Try products with carotene and caffeine in them, they enchance tanning and the result will be an even deeper, richer tan! There are a lot of tanning lotions on the market that contain both of these ingredients!
You can also get beta-carotene in pill forms, but to be honest, I've never tried those and don't plan to either! A great substitute is to drink carrot juice, you can mix apple, kiwi, any sort of fruit into it if you don't like the taste, it's also nice if you add some ginger too!
Carrot's contain carotene which boost and intensify tanning!
4. Glitter tanning oil/lotion. Trust me it's amazing!
The glitter attracts the sun rays, so your tan will be even better, I guarantee you! In some countries, you can get tanning lotions and oils which already have the glitter in them, but if you can't find any, don't worry! You can just mix your own glitter in it! It's easy as that!
I suggest you use fine glitter, almost like powder, and not chunky glitter, because you don't want to look like a pole dancer... Do you?
The glitter will add a gorgeous sparkle to your skin. Not only will it make your tan better, it will also provide you with an instant glow!
Yes, I know that people bake goodies with cocoa butter, but believe me, it also works wonders when it comes to sunbaking!
Once you've achieved a nice tan, you can start using it to intensify your tan even more, and be even more bronzed!
I usually get mine at a pharmacy, you can ask for it melted, or in a bar, which looks just like soap. Just rub it on your skin and you're done!
It will make it super smooth and moisturize your skin along with giving you a better tan!
6. Tan near the water, or in the water on a mattress.
If you go in the water every 20 minutes or so, you'll tan much easier! Water reflects and intensifies the sun rays!
7. The last, but most important one.
If your skin is sensitive, you're fair skinned, or you just want protection against harmful UVB rays, please don't forget to use sunscreen!
I personally don't use any, and never have in my life, but that's my personal choice. I've only ever been sunburnt once in my life, thanks to my naturally olive skin. That is why I don't really feel the need to use spf 50 sunscreens, but I do always encourage everyone to use it though, nobody wants a bad sunburn, which can later of course, lead to more serious problems.
HAPPY TANNING! I'm off to soak up the sun in my garden! xoxo