sunless tanning

[superbadgirl]

In and of itself, the term doesn't make much sense, does it?

Last night, I tried out the sunless tanner (very light, not anything major) for the first time. I'm doing it at night because it stinks and conflicts with my regular shower gel/lotion scent. You'd think they could make the stuff unscented. They probably do with the more expensive brands. Yeah, I went cheap.

Can't tell much of anything today, which is what's supposed to happen. However, the big toe on my left foot is orange. This leads me to my question - how on earth are you really supposed to apply this stuff evenly? I've never figured that out. It seems an impossibility. There will always be streaks somewhere, won't there? I've also never determined how to get my back done. Do the manufacturers just assume everyone who uses the product has someone handy to get hard-to-reach places for them? Because I don't, unless I knock on my hottie neighbor's door and ask him to lotion me up. ;)

Or maybe I'm just inept at putting on lotion.

Comments

[seanchaidh.livejournal.com]

I think you're supposed to exfoliate first?

[superbadgirl]

*blinks*

Every day? That can't be good. ;)

I suppose I could do what I've always done - embraced my pallor.

[superbadgirl]

Meant embrace, not embraced.

And I just want a little glow without much actual sun exposure.

[seanchaidh.livejournal.com]

Detox. :)

[superbadgirl]

I'm still paranoid about the whole skin cancer thing. After finally seeing my sister's scar - eep, the sun is bad! I'll have to hope my exposure walking to and from work and during lunch is enough.

[seanchaidh.livejournal.com]

Meep.

[seanchaidh.livejournal.com]

Before the initial application, methinks.

[superbadgirl]

Ah, that makes more sense.

I just found more streaks. Hee hee. Good thing I never let anyone see me nekkid.

[travellingone.livejournal.com]

The Jergens cream is really good. And streak-free.

I've used it on my legs.

[superbadgirl]

Noted! Will try this kind instead. I'm not happy with what I bought.

[betacandy.livejournal.com]

My best trick:

Apply the stuff as evenly as you can. Then take a tissue and buff areas where the color's likely to collect. From experience, I can tell you:

Elbows (inside and out)
Knees (backs and caps)
Inside of wrist
Where your armpits meet your chest
Tops of toes, possibly between toes, depending how you apply

And I always buff my whole face and neck generally, because I'd rather lose a little color than have some weird streak.

[khek.livejournal.com]

My mother swears she gets less streaks when she mixes the sunless stuff with her regular moisturizer and then puts it on. It does seem to work for her. My sister said she's done it that way too, with no streaks.

I seem to get streaks no matter what. I think I'll try Betacandy's way.

[superbadgirl]

Oh, helpful hints! I've never figured out how you're supposed to do your hands, either, since you have to wash after applying.

Strangely, I'm getting slight streaks...and also at least one big patch. That's got more to do with my wacky skin than the product, I think. It looks like a fake birthmark.

[betacandy.livejournal.com]

Hands are tricky. You could try using plastic gloves, but I'm not sure they'd spread the color well. I usually just put it on the backs as best I could, washed my palms as carefully as possible (so as not to disturb the color on the back), then buffed my hands a little.

As for the streaks and the patch... you could try gently exfoliating the patch - that'll take off some color. I bought some exfoliating gloves so I could carefully go over streaks with just a fingertip. And next time you apply, try to apply around the patch and streaks, if possible. That'll let the other color catch up.

It's probably impossible to avoid every single bit of streaking, but you'll get to where it's close enough to pass for perfect.