Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Fake or Bake?

I am an Italian girl with light olive skin. I tan really well and look fabulous with a bronzed glow, but skin cancer concerns are always on my mind when it comes to soaking up the UV rays.
Back in high school, I would hit up the tanning bed once or twice a week. When I laid out in the sun, I would use a dark tanning oil with no SPF. I was tan, and always got lots of compliments.
I crave the sun, the warmth, the vitamin D and the gorgeous glow. After having kids though, my mindset has changed. I do not want to get skin cancer and risk dying, leaving my boys without a momma, all for vanity's sake.
I have spray tanned once. It was a $35 session and I was slighly darker (just enough to even out the skin tone) for just a few days. So not the same. I have also tried a couple random tan-in-a-can products with no such luck.
So help me out girls! What are your views and opinions on tanning? What is your method of getting some color? What products do you use (no matter what tanning method you prefer) to achieve your desired look?

7 comments:

Jules said...

I don't tan easily and have to work for it. I used to hit the tanning beds in my early 20's and have since stopped over the same concerns you have. I do like to spend a lot of time in the sun in the summer and usually have nice color by the end of the season.

Sometimes I use a gradual tanner. I like Jergens Natural Glow.

Erik and Mary said...

I too have olive skin, which is bonus in the winter. When everyone else is pasty white, I am feel white but still have some color. Be proud of your color in the winter and don't worry about adding to it. In the summer spend time in the REAL sun with SPF and you will still attain a beautiful healthy glow!

Dezzy Lou Where Are You said...

I too worry about skin cancer and looking like leather at a young age. I will tan for special occasions and do a mystic tan right after while my pores are still open but Id feel a lot better if I didnt tan at all...

Anonymous said...

I spray tan like a MFer.

sprinkles said...

I'm pasty white and don't tan well at all. I've had people tell me to go tanning but I'm extremely cautious because of my father.

My father has Indian blood in him so he goes outside for 5 seconds and comes back in with a deep dark tan! Ok, that's an exaggeration but not by much! It doesn't take him long at all. He's been mistaken for a Mexican before, that's how dark he gets.

Well, after years of being in the sun, he's had to deal with skin cancer. Not fun!

I've never tried spray tans just because I've not seen any that look natural. When I see them on other people, I just think of how obvious it is that they've spray tanned.

So I guess I'll just make do with my pastyness. Yeah, I'm probably not the best person to ask.

Olivia Carter said...

I use a self tanner. I love 'em. They only add a lil' color but not too orange-y.

Unknown said...

I don't do anything on the daily, it has to be a special occasion to spray tan, I have never paid for any sort of tanning service, I think I'm too cheap...and I'm afraid I'll get hooked and I can't afford getting hooked! I hear great things about St. Tropez lotions :) Good luck, ma! So glad you made the change for your family & yourself!

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