Beauty Tips For Body Care
Extremely indulgent, detailed post alert! I'm far from an expert (YMMV), but maybe this will help somebody out there. I'm also soliciting other product recommendations and tips! Always looking to improve.I've seen others on this sub with concerns about their tan being splotchy/fading too quickly/being altogether pointless when using a concurrent chemical exfoliation routine, so I figured I'd share what I've learned through trial and error. Because DHA adheres to the dead cells on the skin's surface, it does seem counterintuitive to even try, given the rapid cell turnover associated with chemical exfoliation; but you can get around it if you're willing to go through tanning product at 3x the normal rate! Despicable, huh?Anyway, I've been using self-tanner for over a decade, but have only recently started taking care of my skin (meaning I use hella acids now and wear sunscreen). The difference in my complexion has been staggering (thanks, SCA!), but I refuse to give up the glow, which is the only thing that covers the redness and broken capillaries I earned for my fair skin from binge drinking throughout my twenties (I'm 31 now, and listen: PLEASE DON'T DO THAT OKAY YOU GUYS?).Being slightly/completely useless when it comes to applying bronzer all makeup, I've come up with a process that works for me. To be honest, it's a very high maintenance deal. I won't lie; upkeep can be a drag. But if it's a priority for you (or if you are hideously vain, like me!), read on.I'll list my full skincare routine for context (very open to criticism on it, btw). I'm combo, not acne prone, with large SFs.AM:Thayer's witch hazelTimeless Vit C (30 min wait)Mizon Snail Recover Gel (10 min wait)DermaE DMAE Firming Moisturizer (absorb)Biore Watery Essence SPF 50 (20 min wait)[self-tan routine goes here if applying in the AM]PM:Simple Micellar WaterLa Roche Posay Lipikar Syndet soap free cleanserThayer's witch hazelRotate: Alpha Hydrox Retinol ResQ -or- Alpha Hydrox 12% AHA Souffle -or- MUAC 10% Mandelic Serum (wait 30 mins)Mizon Snail Recovery Gel (wait 10 mins)CeraVe PM (allow 20 mins to absorb if tanning)[Self-tanning routine goes here if applying in the PM]Once a week with 3 days in between: MUAC 25 or 40% Mandelic Acid Peel and Stridex red box (wait 5 mins, rinse)Twice a month: Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay MaskTo tan the face (I do this every 2-3 days either morning or night as needed, preferably at night):30 mins after final skincare step (the longer the better, but that whole living life thing makes it hard), apply self-tanning mousse to face with a large kabuki brush. IME mousses go on more evenly and dry faster (I use Jergen's Natural Glow Instant Sun. St. Tropez is another good one, but not worth the price IMO). This application method has been a life changer for me. It prevents tinted palms, goes on very evenly, and keeps tanner from settling into my pores. Spray it on the brush in small incremental pumps and then work it into your skin, making sure to blend at the hair line, down the neck, and on the eyelids; apply gingerly around the eyebrows. Next, use a spray tanner to apply to back, chest, lower neck, and the awkward areas like ears/behind ears and the back of the neck. The Ulta Bronze Glow spray is my HG for this, though some say it's too sticky and takes too long to dry. They're not totally wrong, but the nice color it gives and the ultra fine, guesswork-removing mist that comes make it worth it to me; set it with a blow dryer on the cool setting and blend any drippy areas with the brush. Last, I use the same kabuki method on the backs of my hands, one pump each. Wipe nails and cuticles on a towel after. This is the most natural looking tan I've ever achieved on my hands - no dirt knuckles! This all takes about 15 mins. Wash the kabuki brush very thoroughly, obviously, and replace when you are able.Again, wait as long as possible for it to absorb before applying any makeup (this is why night time is ideal).My skin is ruddy, rough in texture, and overall not great, but I've been lucky to have never been breakout prone, so I know this won't work for everyone.To tan body (I only have to do this twice a week. This will be way too detailed for self-tan veterans):Shave and physically exfoliate in shower and moisturize with a light, fast-absorbing lotion. I use OGX Hydrating Argan Oil Lotion, from the drugstore (it is not, in fact, hydrating. but that's what we're going for because it helps with evenness). Apply a richer lotion to elbows, knees, toes, and hands. I use the RiteAid dupe for Gold Bond, which is surprisingly great.Wait 30-60 mins. Moisturize hands again.Apply tanner of choice everywhere except for hands, face, ears, neck, back, and chest. I don't use a mitt, because application is smoother without it and if I put lotion on my hands right before, wash with soap and hot water after, dry thoroughly, and use micellar water on them with a cotton round, they don't stain. Takes a bit of practice, though. You can follow up with an exfoliant if needed. This all takes about 10 minutes. On non-application days, moisturize with impunity.Major self-tanning fails for me:Jergen's Natural Glow: I give the smell of these products a zero out of one million. The face lotion doesn't fit into my routine, ingredient-wise, and it's too gradual to compete with the acids. The body lotion doesn't give enough color for my preference, and fades in splotchy patches behind knees and elbows and on the chest.L'Oreal Sublime Bronze: The Coachella of tanners! Overpriced and inordinately glittery. Without extremely cautious application, this can be streaky, although the color is nice and deep. A definite no-go for the face especially, and I find it a little comedogenic.Sally's Tanwise: These get good reviews, but the color, while pretty and even, doesn't last long - even without exfoliation.Neutrogena Micro-Mist: It's not micro, and there's no color guide to help you apply evenly. Total disaster.Any sort of glove/mitt application. Streak City, population: ME.Ok, I think that is plenty long enough for my first post! Eager to hear other people's experiences.
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by notevenglennclose
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