Newness from Tarte.

If you are not too busy this Saturday, June 2nd, you might want to tune into QVC to watch Maureen Kelly, creator of Tarte Cosmetics. She will be on at 3:00 AM EST (maybe you should Tivo this one!) for two 8 minute segments, and again at 2:00 PM EST for another 8 minute segment.

I can't wait to see Maureen launch a new QVC-tarte exclusive product, Sweet Cheeks: Cheek Stain Set and their new all natural self-tanner, Sunburst Body! Sweet Cheeks will debut at $25 and Sunburst Body at $35.

If you are looking for a nice, build able self-tanner for you body, then you should definitely check out Sunburst Body. I have used this moisturizing self-tanner on my legs and I really like the results. To use, I squeeze out about a quarter sized amount, and rub the lotion together in my hands until the beads burst. I then apply Sunburst Body just like a lotion, but more carefully over my feet, ankles, and knees, of course. Using the color as I guide, I use this amount for each leg. After washing off, the long term self-tanner color results are gradual, but have turned my legs a beautiful golden brown in about a week.

Let me know if you cave on anything!

Bronzing in an Instant.

I have been asked by many readers who do not tan or self-tan, what to use for a temporary, instant tan for an event. Besides makeup bronzers, I have found some great products for the entire body that will have you bronzed and beautiful in just a few minutes. And the benefit of these bronzers, is that with a scrubbie and soap and water, they will be gone!

 
Benefit Cosmetics has Jiffy Tan, which is perfect for the legs. It is a bit of a darker shade with a bit of shimmer, so I would only suggest using it on the legs. It glides on evenly and smoothly and lasts through a long hard day. You have to be careful to take the time to wash hands immediately after applying, as it will leave your palms stained and messy.

Philosophy has a nice body tint in a tube called The Big Skinny, which is actually a tinted body shaper in a tube. Why a body shaper? Because this instantly makes you appear more slender with the look of glowing skin, from a healthy, instant tan. It is very moisturizing and slides on very easily. This cream only takes a few minutes to try, so blending is simple, quick, and easy. The results are great and this can be used all over. Remember to wash you hands right after applying as well.

Lastly, there is a bronzing gel, that is very lightweight from Becca. This Translucent Bronzing Gel instantly gives the body a healthy, light glow. Not a deep dark tan, but a nice sheer golden tan. This bronzing gel spread out quickly and easily too, and is appropriate to where all over the body. And it is so nice and light, with no smell, that I suggest it for men too.

All of these are also great for evening out a bad self-tanning job as well - I bet you never thought of that, did you? Stop scrubbing away the mistakes and even them out - even if it is only temporary.

It is pretty safe to say, that whichever you choose, you will be quickly transformed from a snow bunny to a golden summer, bronzed goddess.

Basking in the BRONZE light!

You simply cannot deny that bronzer season is officially here. While I may be one who uses a touch of bronzer almost everyday throughout the year, I think that it is time to start using just a bit more.

There are just so many bronzers on the market, that sometimes I don't even know where to begin. I need to start somewhere, so today I will start with bronzers that can be picked up at the drugstore. I went bronzer browsing at my nearest CVS.

I quickly noticed the display of bronzers from Lumene. These were almost in front of the door, at the end cap of the beauty section - great placement! The offerings include an Air-Light Bronzing Powder ($12.99), in a golden bronze shade, which is probably best for everyday light bronzing; Skin Couture Pearly Bronzer ($12.99) in Bronze Glow, which is more of a deep bronze to look a bit more naturally bronzed; and a large bronzer which is also an Air-Light Powder ($12.99), but this is in Dark Glow, and it best for a really bronzed goddess look.

Next, I noticed a section of bronzers from Milani Cosmetics. They offer a Powder Bronzer ($4.49) in three shades, which is oil-free, and perfect for any skin type; Tiger Bronzer ($6.49), which is a swirled gel-like soufflé that is swirled in two shades of gleamed gold; beautiful Powder Mosiacs ($7.99), which come in six color palettes; and my favorite, Glimmer Stripes ($6.99) which features a subtle range of five colors striped over one compact, which are fantastic to use on both the cheeks and eyes.

As I continued to browse, I think I found the largest selection of bronzers ever in one single line - Physicians Formula. They offer 40 unique bronzers for any bronzing need. And what I loved about these, is that most of them contained a bit of pink, for a more natural glow. First, there is Bronze Gems ($12.95) Matte & Bright Bronzer, Highlighter, and Eye Shadow Powder on one, and this one comes in four shades; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Bronzing Veil ($11.95), which comes in a flow-through brush dispenser and is available in Light Bronzer, Medium Bronzer, and Bronzer; Shimmer Strips ($11.95) Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eye Shadow, which is similar to Milani's Glimmer Stripes, and is so silky smooth with really fine pearl particles  for the most beautiful glimmer, and this palette comes in seven multiple shades; Powder Palette Multi-Colored Bronzer ($12.95), offers the right combo of colors in a pressed powder formula and comes in three shades; Pearls of Perfection Multi-Colored Bronzer ($11.95), which are beads of different bronzed colors that you brush over to get the perfect mix, and this comes in Bronzer and Light Bronzer; Magic Mosaic Multi-Colored Custom Bronzer ($12.95), another one of the most popular bronzer compacts from so many different companies, this comes in two shade combinations; Jungle Fever Bronzer in Leopared & Tiger ($11.95), which are bi-colored bronzers in a cute safari print pattern; Retro-Glow Mosiac Bronzer ($12.95) which is a multi-colored bronzer in a really unique mosaic design with a hint of shimmer; Summer Eclipse Bronzer ($12.95), available in Sunlight, Moonlight, and Starlight; Les Botaniques Botanical Bronzer ($11.95) which are the cutest two tone compacts in SunnyBuddy and SunnyBunch; Solar Powder SPF20 Bronzer $12.95) is available in two shades and is formulated with an SPF fo 20 for an added bonus feature; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder ($12.95) is best for acne-prone  or sensitive skin with it's unique blend of ingredients coming in both Bronzer and Light Bronzer; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder ($10.95) which is a very gentle formula in a loose powder form; and finally there is Baked Bronzer ($11.95) in Baked Bronze and Baked Tan and can be used wet or dry depending on the depth of color you wish.

In general, most of the drugstore bronzers are under $15 and offer the greatest selection of shades and formulas - I am so very impressed.

Also, be sure to check back here for the next few weeks as I will be posting more on my Bronzer madness.