Summer Tans

Getting a healthy tan in the summer can really rack up some serious bucks. Bikinis cost around $40, tanning lotions cost from $5 to %50, lawn chairs cost upwards of %60 and tanning salons charge around $30 for spray tans which only last a week or you can spend $5 or more for sessions in a tanning bed which have to be visited multiple times for anything to show! Not to mention tanning in the sun without at least SPF 15 sun screen and tanning beds can cause skin cancer. What's left to get that healthy glow?!
Self tanning lotions!
These lotions pigment your skin to create a darker, more healthy look and are more reasonably priced than everything else you might need. Just switch out your regular body lotion with the self tanning. I currently use Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer and their Face Moisturizer. The firming moisturizer doesn’t smell as good as the original Revitalizing Lotion, but it still smells very good. The foam has less of a smell if scents are a problem. The face moisturizer goes a long way because it is thinner than normal face moisturizers. I use mine around the face, neck, and ears. After applying and rubbing in it dries pretty fast and feels totally matte--perfect for instant make-up application!

If you have more money to spend, the Sun Laboratories Ultra Dark Self Tanning Lotion Set is an even better option. The set comes with an exfoliating scrub, the self tanning lotion which is tinted to see where you apply it, and a moisturizing tan maintaining lotion. Going this way is a little bit more time consuming, but well worth it in the end. The scrub is used in the shower to remove any dead skin, the self-tanner goes on next, and the lotion is supposed to be used in the mornings to keep skin moisturized. The moisturizer is crucial to the process because it keeps skin from drying out and flaking off.
Another great option is the Gradual Tan lotions from Bath & Body Works. I got some of these and gave a few out as gifts. The lotions aren’t sold in stores right now, but the semi-annual sale is coming up and they might have some they’ve been hiding in the back. They can also be found online at the original sale price.

All these self-tanners smell good, are reasonably priced, and don’t cause streaking. They’re a great alternative to tanning beds or sun tanning, but if you tan with them and go out in the sun for extended periods, it is very important that sunscreen is used because the skin will still burn as if it were still pale.
So get bronzed, and don't forget to be fabulous!