Tag Archives: summer skin

Summer (skin) Lovin’

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It’s almost that time of year, and this Lawn Gisland girl has to admit to being VERY torn on the sunscreen front. Now, if we’re being honest, it’s been drilled into our heads for years that tanning is unsafe. More and more articles and TV news pieces are surfacing constantly to caution us about safe skin practices. (This morning, on the Today show, I learned that we should be using a SHOTGLASSFULL of sunscreen on our bodies every two hours every day?? Wild. And expensive, no?) But, the reality is, it’s time to smarten up about our skin. That said, as much as I don’t want to wind up leathery one day, and I certainly don’t want skin cancer, I am obsessed with looking tan. It’s in my DNA. Just part of Long Island’s regional charm, I guess. What’s a tanorexic to do?

SPRAY TAN! Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Smelly, messy, and yellow (orange?) in the wrong places. But, no, the new spray tans, while pricey, can actually be JUST what the doctor, and the tanorexic, ordered. I was lucky enough to receive my first local spray tan (I had one in LA last year that didn’t go so great) at one of Manhattan’s finest spots–the Spa at Trump SoHo. Danielle, one of their aestheticians, delivered a customized spray tan in a comfortable, beautiful environment. Now, I might have been a little cold at times, but there was practically no dry time, and absolutely no smudging. I have never had a prettier tan in all my life, and my skin was glad to know that it wasn’t being affected in the slightest (except, maybe with some moisturizers!).

Do I, or do I not, look like I just spent a few days in Cabo (as opposed to where I really have been spending my time–which is in a dark room, in Brooklyn, writing)?

The spray tan will only last you about a week, but I drew mine out a little longer by using Clarins and Mystic home products on my face, arms, and legs afterward. My natural-looking glow was complimented by friends, coworkers, and (duh) my boyfriend. Look, I understand the desire to be tan, but this is one of those public service warnings we should really heed. Within my immediate family alone, there are two people who survived melanoma. They were lucky, but not everyone is. With one in five American adults contracting skin cancer these days, wouldn’t you rather pay a little more to look tan the safe way?

PS. If you go to the Spa at Trump SoHo during the week, spray tans are only $95!

Easy Tip: Fake bake at home

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I have pretty fair skin, at least at this time of year. And, when it looks especially pale it seems that much easier to spot my spots, dark undereye circles, and other unpleasantries. Ever notice during the summer when you have a slight tan, that you tend to wear less makeup and feel naturally prettier? Well, there is no need to enter a tanning salon to get your bake on today. With one product and five minutes or less, I’ve got you covered.

$28, beauty.com

I first experimented with Mystic Tan’s Sunless Tanning Lotion a couple of years ago, and it’s one item I still keep in my bathroom cabinet for emergencies. Despite the market presence of some more expensive (and, ahem, better smelling!) tanning products, this is the one I turn to again and again. All you need to do is wash your face with a foaming cleanser, making sure to get your ears and neck in the process. Pat dry gently with a hand towel.

Once your skin is dry yet dewy, drop a dime-sized dollop of this cream into your palm and work into the skin of your face in a circular motion. Make sure to apply evenly, pulling toward your hairline, ears, and just under your chin. When your face has dried, you can put on a little more moisturizer with SPF and then some eye and lip makeup. But chances are you won’t need foundation (or much concealer) because that glow will have you looking gorg within twenty minutes tops.

Craving your hottest summer face? Fake it at home today.