Growing up on Long Island, I was raised in Tanning Central. Summer days were spent rotating, oil-clad, in the sun like a rotisserie chicken, crisping my skin to “perfection.” In the off-season, I held onto my glow with monthly unlimited passes to the local tanning salon. I preferred the bed to the stand-up, but would switch off so as to achieve the desired balance of golden-brown from head to toe. I wish I was making this up — seriously, I’m a certified tanning addict.
This is how I spent the summer of 2010 — burning proudly and watching it fade to brown on a 36-hour cycle. Yikes.
Then, something changed. I turned 24 and became a beauty editor. Suddenly, I was interviewing skincare experts and learning about eye cream. My fair-skinned grandmother who had hidden under massive hats didn’t seem so silly anymore. First, I let my tanning membership run dry and second, I called a top-rated derm to book my first annual screening, something I do every year now.
Practicality aside, my new knowledge didn’t stop me from craving the glow. With a tan, I feel healthier, as ironic as that may seem. I tried spray tans but they’re pricy and only last a few days. Ever since, I’ve cycled through many self-tanners. Some are great, some are so-so, and others are a downright streaky, orange mess. But one thing they all had in a common? It’s such a process!
As a new mom, I just don’t have the time anymore to sit on the edge of my bathtub, leisurely applying faux tanner, vigorously washing my hands, going over any crease in the skin with a Q-tip to keep it from collecting there… and then sitting around for over an hour unable to get dressed or touch anything white. Thus, I’ve been a pale, sad sap all summer and pretty grumpy about it.
Then, I got clued into a new self-tanning lotion that fits effortlessly into any mom’s schedule. St. Tropez has released a gradual tanner you apply right in the shower and leave on for three minutes before rinsing off. It seemed to good too be true until I tried it, but it really does work! I’ve applied it at the end of my shower for the past several days, leaving in my hair conditioner or mask while the lotion set in to kill two beauty-birds with one three-minute stone. As soon as it’s rinsed off, I’m ready to towel-up and get dressed. No brown residue left on my white towels with this product.
My color gets warmer with each use — and every day I can wear less makeup thanks to my fresher-looking skin.
The verdict? Amazing. A very subtle glow appeared after just the first use, and five days later I look like I have an honest-to-goodness tan without any of the damaging rays I’d have had to face to get it before. I feel cuter and even look a little thinner thanks to my healthy glow. The best part? Even with very minor hand rinsing, there is absolutely no orange tinge or crease chaos anywhere on my body. If you’re looking for a gradual, natural-look tan to carry you through the seasonal transition into fall and far beyond, check out this in-shower option and get back to your life quicker.
To purchase: Ulta.com, $25.
About Jenny