Prepping Your Skin for Warmer Weather
Warm weather is soon upon us and apparently it's sooner than we think. For us northern California folk, it's about to get warm - like 80F weather warm. And after cold 50F weather and rain, I couldn't be more happy. Every year growing up it was a regular cycle of swim season and getting tan, slowly losing that tan, then gaining it back in the summer, just to significantly pale out in color come winter time. Ever since I graduated from college and began working full time, the opportunity to "gain a tan" each year has grown smaller and smaller (sigh). I'd never had the need for fake tanning nor did I ever have the desire to do so. (Hello, Ross and the bad spray tan episode from Friends.)
Thankfully for everyone growing up these days, brands have made it much easier to get a great faux tan without turning orange like an oompa loompa or getting a streaky uneven tan. Here are some of the products I've come about in the last few months that I'm slowly starting to reach for as the warmer season begins.
I think after all this time, we've all learned that the key to a nice even tan (regardless if it's real or fake) is exfoliating. I have a few products I'm rotating in and out as exfoliators and I plan to do a dedicated post on those in the future. But one that I've been loving lately is the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bod Buff Smoothing Scrub 'N' Mask *. The SDJ scrub/mask is made up of quartz crystals and Amazon clay and can sway whichever way you want - as a body mask or as a scrub. Lately I've grown a bit more accustomed to doing hair masks and body masks prior to hopping into the shower - it gives me a few dedicated minutes to tidy up my bathroom and reorganize my stash. (Let's face it - my counter is a hot mess in the morning as I open everything and leave everything scattered - my bf can attest to this.) This mask/scrub washes off easily, although I do use a loofah when I rinse off so there's no residual product on my skin. After jumping out of the shower I've been focusing on taking better care of my body skin in addition to my face skin. One thing I've been loving to use is the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream *.
If you haven't tried anything from the SDJ range, you are in for a treat. The smell is unique and smells like summer - it's a mixture of pistachio and salted caramel. Yum. My skin has been so soft and smooth and I'm really digging it. I'm ready for leg season and baring my skin with dresses and skirts come warmer weather. It's already prepped my legs for those random surprise days in the high 80Fs, which we *already* have had a few of.
On top of that, I'm dabbling with the thought of having actual color in my skin. I've always been weary of trying tanning products as I didn't want to end up like the horrors at the beginning of my post. With Tan-Luxe's products, that's one thing you'll never have to fear. Tan-Luxe has two main products that are in serum/drop form. There are two separate products - one dedicated to the face and the other dedicated to the body. The face drops* can easily be mixed in with any facial serum or moisturizer and the body drops* can easily be mixed in with any body butter / moisturizer. I remember receiving these at the end of last year in the midst of Winter when I was pale as a ghost. I usually embrace my seasonally pale skin and when I used it I remember thinking it felt a bit odd and out of place. I used about two sessions worth and was welcomed with a nice and healthy glow. As warmer weather is upon us, I'm ready to jump in with glowy skin! I'll be reaching for these more and will keep you all posted.
One of the latest additions to my stash is the Baja Bae Caramel Lotion*. The BB lotion is a 2 in 1 product it can be used as a tanning lotion or as a tinted moisturizer / after-sun lotion.This product allows you to enhance your tan while also nourishing your skin. I'll be heading to Palm Springs next month and you can bet I'll be decanting some of this into a bottle to take with me. Hopefully I'll come back golden and bronzed!
What are some of your favorite tips for self-tanning? Any favorite products that you always gravitate towards? Share your ways with me!
***
These products were gifted to me but all opinions remain my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
Feel free to read more on my disclaimer.