Long time no hear! Trying to pop in here every once in a while to save face ;-) This post lists all my tips on achieving a great tan - with NO tanning beds!
First and foremost - you should always, always wear SPF/sunscreen of some sort before going into the sun or outdoors. This is NOT optional.
My ALL NATURAL tips:
1. prepping your skin: EXFOLIATE - it is absolutely important to rub away the dead skin cells or any loose, rough skin, and oils before you go out into the sun. I do this twice a week.
2. carotene and caffeine - There are a lot of tanning lotions on the market that contain both of these ingredients. These boost your tan making it more glowing and richer!
4. Glitter! tanning oil/lotion. Glitter attracts sun rays! Not sure how it is elsewhere, but in the US, you can get tanning lotions and oils which already have the glitter in them. If you can't find any, just mix your own glitter in! I suggest you use fine glitter, almost like powder, and not chunky glitter for easier removal.
5. Cocoa butter works wonders!
6. Tan near the water, or in the water on a float. If you go in the water every 20 minutes or so, you'll tan much easier! Water reflects and intensifies the sun rays!
7. Hydrate: Speaking of water, it’s important to drink plenty of water when you’re in the sun, mostly to minimize any stress on your body and the risk of dehydration.
Just a friendly reminder of my first note - WEAR SUNSCREEN!
If your skin is sensitive, you're fair skinned, or you just want protection against harmful UVB rays, please don't forget to use sunscreen! I've only ever been sunburnt once in my life, thanks to my naturally olive skin and I STILL use sunscreen, always in my adult years. If you don't feel you get a good enough tan when wearing sunscreen, try putting sunscreen on, then applying an all natural coconut oil to your skin to attract the sun's rays, but just enough to break your top layer of skin only.
