self tanner

by Jaime Richards

Spring is in full bloom, and that means one of many things: it's self-tanner time. The problem, though, is the actual process of selecting the right product to get the job done, and that's why esthetician Sinead Norenius (and founder of self-tanning line Beautisol) is here to help. She's worked with celebrities like Natasha Bedingfield and Bethenny Frankel, and now she has a few tips on how we can get the perfect shade at home. To see more, just keep reading.

by Jessica Cruel

Bronzing lotions and self-tanners are fantastic for getting a sun-kissed glow without spending hours in the sun's scorching rays. But you can also use these products to create the illusion of chiseled skin (no workout required). There are ways to contour the face with makeup, and similar techniques can be done all over your body, as well.

1. Décolletage depth: As strapless dresses and halter tops make their way to the front of your wardrobe, it's time to let your chest area shine. Applying bronzer above and below the collarbone will bring a chiseled appearance to your cleavage. Don't have the right shade? Try using a darker shade of foundation instead.

2. Glowing gams: Swipe a bronzing stick down the center of your thighs and shins to create a sleek, long-leg look. Adding tanner is also a great way to disguise stretch marks and veins.

3. The fake bake: Most darker-skinned women avoid the self-tanner section in the drugstore. Even though these products usually won't help you achieve a darker look, they can even out skin tone and provide a subtle shimmer.

by Jaime Richards

Applying self-tanner is a great way to get a tan without the sun's harsh effects. But whereas the product can be a life-saver (literally), it also poses a conundrum, often marking its presence in the form of patchy, blotchy marks and streaks on the knees, elbows, fingers, and toes. "I always tell people, it's [self-tanner is] like makeup. You just have to practice a little bit," explains Sinead Norenius, a tanning expert and founder of Beautisol, an environmentally-conscious sun-care line. To see her advice on preventing tanning mishaps, just keep reading.

by Real Beauty

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

When trying to create a natural, sunless tan on your body, mistakes are expected and accepted. If things go too awry, you can just opt to wear pants until the color wears off.

Bronzer or self tanner: which is right for you?

But a botched fake tan on your face? Completely out of the question. Here, five foolproof tips on how to get gorgeous bronzed skin.

by Miriam Lacey

According to a recent poll of 2,000 British women, Pippa Middleton's skin tone was declared the "most desirable," with over 60 percent of respondents saying they liked her skin color best. Participants were given six celebrity examples from which to choose, but the results could be construed as misleading; Pippa is so popular right now and people want to look like her in general.

And it's odd that declaring one skin shade "prettier" or "better" than another wouldn't give pollsters pause, either — it's blatant bigotry. On a level unrelated to social history, skin tone, eye color, and hair color also all come together to make you uniquely attractive, and trying to spray on someone else's skin can ruin that. While this study was related to self-tanning, it's even more disturbing to think of young women attempting to lighten their skin in order to get Pippa's dubiously named "Royal Mocha" color. Have you ever tried to change your skin tone to look like a celebrity's? And do you think attempting to significantly change your natural skin color is healthy?

by Jaime Richards

Jennifer Aniston always looks like she just returned from a fabulous beach vacation, but sometimes the star gets a little help elsewhere to achieve her signature golden glow. For the Horrible Bosses premiere in London earlier today, her sexy luminous look was in part thanks to her longtime makeup artist, Angela Levin, who used St. Tropez's new Gold Illuminator ($23) as her secret weapon. "It's so subtle, but makes all the difference," Levin explains. So to see her expert tips on how you can re-create Jennifer's entire red-carpet makeup palette, just keep reading.

by Jaime Richards

As the founder of Beautisol, a recently launched brand that makes environmentally conscious sun care products, you could say Sinead Norenius knows a thing or two about self-tanners. She's recently shared a few tips on getting the most out of your self-tanning applications, but with her wealth of knowledge on the subject, there's still plenty more to share. Ever wonder how dark you should really go or how to reach those awkward areas? Find out how to do it right when you read more.

by Guest Writer

Editor's note: The following post is written by our guest writer, Hourglass Artistic Director Gina Brooke. Here, she shares her tips for achieving the perfect sunless glow.

As the mercury rises, so does our desire for sun-kissed skin. In the Summer months I advocate tanning for all my clients — as long as it's the type that comes from a bottle. We're all aware of the dangers of roasting in the sun, or exposing your skin to a tanning bed. Thankfully, sunless tanning has become more convenient in recent years. It's now easier to avoid the pitfalls of the past, like streaked skin or the noxious scents so often associated with tanning products. Here's my recipe for healthy, glowing-looking skin. See Gina's advice when you keep reading.