Faking It

Well? Have you ever, ya know, faked it?

Faked what you ask? Your tan, you weren't thinking........hey, this isn't that kind of blog.
Yes, that's what this post is about, self-tanning.

I must tell you, I have never really been a huge fan of self-tanning. You either look like and Oompa Loompa or you have streaks running up and down your arms. Not a pretty sight.
For the past few years I've been an advocate of SPF at all times. I work in NYC, during the work week, I am rarely outside trying to catch some rays. I'm usually out for a total of 30 minutes, and that includes the commute time. This means, no more laying out on the beach for me, this year I decided to "fake bake", but I wanted to do it right.

First, I was not going to buy a self tanner for the body because I always manage to fudge it up, and in my opinion, it takes forever to dry, I don't care if the label says "Quick Dry", I'm not buying it. I wanted gradual, healthy color and I didn't want to hear "Did you go away, you got so tan" from ANYONE. I read some reviews on "Jergens Natural Glow" and it got great reviews, so I decided to buy it.

Secondly, for my face, I wanted something that would instantly absorb into my skin and again, not make me look like George Hamilton. I also read some positive reviews about Clarins products and settled on "Liquid Bronze"

The Jergens really did make my body a nice "healthy" color, not too orange, I bought their new "express" formula that shows within 3 days. They weren't kidding. So that's the up-side, the downside? It smells too "self-tanner", and it doesn't moisturize as well as I thought it would. I'm actually combining this lotion with my regular body moisturizer because there is nothing worse than ashy skin.

The Clarins is amazing. First off, it's a lotion, you apply it to your face with a cotton ball so I don't get any of the tanner on my fingers. It's very very light, and it smells really really good! No funky "self-tanner" smell. A woman at work today said "Oh wow, your face is glowing, what did you do"
I faked it. That's what I did. The saleslady at Clarins also gave me a few samples of their tried and true "Self Tanning Instant Gel", so I thought I would try it out. This absorbs right away and doesn't feel like anything against my skin. No smell either. Great product! And the key?? I look healthy, not like I spent a weekend in South Beach which was my goal to begin with.
At the end of the day, I do recommend all 3 products, they are all really great!
If you don't want quick color on your body, I recommend the regular "Jergens Natural Glow". Buy it here. (p.s. Did you notice it won a "Best of Allure" award?)

Although I loved the Clarins Lotion, I have to say the gel is so much better! It was odorless and really sank into my skin right away, although both did dry very quickly.
Buy the lotion and the gel here.

I remain yours,
The CCW