MAC Skinsheen Leg Spray.

Having to a wear a dress and having super white legs that have not lived up to a normal faux-tan routine do not qual pretty. Or anything remotely pretty. So when I had to get dressed up this week, I knew I needed to find something that would work on my legs - pronto.

I have used some other cream formulas in the past and really like LORAC TANtalizer and Benefit's Jiffy Tube, but as I love spray on products, I figured I would give MAC's Skinsheen Leg Spray.

Well, the spray on part was different than what I expected. It is an aerosol, yes, but nothing that can be used as a simple spray on application. The gel-like liquid sprays out and onto legs, but needs to be blended over skin. I used my hands to spread it out evenly, and it really was not hard at all.

The look is slightly tinted and nice and glowy. It appears almost glossy right away, but it does dry down to a nice sheen. Skinsheen seemed to be completely dry in under ten minutes, but I gave it a bit more than that to make sure nothing rubbed off on my dress. And it didn't. As Skinsheen uses special polymers (with silicone) to adhere better to skin, it is important to not moisturize before using the product. Leaving legs au natural will help the product glide onto skin and adhere to it better.

I love Skinsheen as a Leg Spray and it is very worth the extra effort of rubbing it neatly over legs and waiting for it to dry. Once the product is dry, it lasts a very long time and really needs a good washing with warm water and soap to be removed. 

Remember that the end result is a sheen, not a full on fake-bake bronzer. Medium-Dark left me with a slight tint to my starch white legs, like I said, but a beautiful glow. I just tested Deep Dark and I think that will be the way to go for my legs to look more bronzed. So choose your colors wisely. If you want just a nice sheen and glowy effect, the lighter shade will probably work just fine, but if you are looking for more of a tinted bronzy color, try Dark or Deep Dark. Check out Skinsheen Leg Spray ($22.50) at MAC counters to find your perfect shade.

"plan you summer spa vacation on spas of america"

Bring on Summer with Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist.

I feel like I have been holed up in the house for the last week or so. I did make it into the pool once or twice, but honestly it has been either too hot or too gloomy and cool. So I thought I would kick up Summer a bit and get back into my faux-tan routine, which has gone to pot the last few weeks.

I have been meaning to write about my favorite self-tanners, and I promise I will get to it and spill the good, the bad, and the ugly. Quickly though, I can tell you that there is one type of self-tanner that I use on my arms and hands, and that is an airbrush self-tanner. You know, the ones that spray - an aerosol spray - out of a can. Using an airbrush tanner makes my arms and hands look the most natural to me. The spray can be controlled to only get your arms faux-tanned where the sun would tan them, and I never have to worry about stained palms. While I have not had much luck using an airbrush tan anywhere else on my body, I always - always - have a can, or two, on hand.

So, when I was asked by Total Beauty to review a new airbrush self-tanner, I was more than excited. This is the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist. 

 

The Self-Tanning Mist itself, is great, and it covers pretty easily. I am used to applying aerosol spray tanners, so having no color guide is easy for me to use. And I actually prefer this type as there is no messy over-spray stain to clean up after. The mist sprays out lightly, but just enough to cover evenly without leaving droplet marks or anything. So, it is basically, spray and go. Well, spray, wait ten minutes or so, then go. The mist does take a few minutes to dry, but I like to wait at least ten minutes before dressing, so as to not mess up the application or my clothing.

The tell-tale self-tanner smell is pretty apparent right upon applying the Sublime Bronze, but it dissipates fairly quickly. By the time the mist dry, the DHA smell is basically gone, and I am left with just a nice, light scent. In about three or four hours, I noticed some newly bronzed hands, and I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at my arms. They looked nice and golden on me and natural. Really natural. Not orange or streaky - pretty perfect with just one application. Medium Natural Tan it is for me. I did use this two days in a row and it has been a few days and my glow is still on. I will probably re-apply tomorrow and keep it up by using this just once or twice a week.

A few tips when using an airbrush self-tanner: Make sure your parts are exfoliated, not freshly shaven and well moisturized. As I mostly apply my self-tanners at night, my normal morning moisturization is enough, except for on my hands. I apply a hand cream right before I use a self-tanning mist as to make sure the mist and color does not settle too much into the cracks and crevices on my knuckles and fingers. If you are self-tanning any other parts of your body first, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly to get off anything that might leave your palms stained, then move onto spraying your arms and hands.

Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist can be found at drugstores and mass merchandiser's nationwide for around $10. 

Be sure to check out this review and more to make sure this self-tanner is right for you over on Total Beauty.

"spa on a budget with some suggestions on spa of america"

New from Bath and Body Works!

I am a huge fan of the Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial soaps. Seriously, if you have to keep as clean as can be, the soaps might as well smell pretty, no?

While I was in B & BW yesterday to stock up on my soaps, I noticed something new that many of you might be interested in. They have added a new product to their most popular scents in their Signature Collection. It is  called Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion. Formulated to give you an instant sun-kissed radiance, along with a gradual self tanner built right in, mixed with their most popular scents - beautiful.

In taking a smell of the Japanese Cherry Blossom tube, it smelled just like the original scent. I wonder how well it covers up the starchy dha scent when activated on the skin. I imagine that it does a nice job, as only a few of the gradual self-tanners have a really awful smell (hello - Jergens Natural Glow!).

I struggled with the idea of picking up a tube for myself, but I think I am pretty well stocked up on self-tanners for the season, hopefully. But I did grab a tube for my sister. Hopefully I can get it over to her soon and she will give it a try and report back here or maybe over on The Fragrance Fanatic. 

Right now I see Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion in just 6 scents: Cherry Blossom, Japanese Cherry Blossom, Wild Honeysuckle, Enchanted Orchid, Sea Island Cotton and Sweet Pea. Maybe they are just testing it out to see how well it does. I am wishing for it in a more Summer-y scent like Creamy Coconut or Strawberry Lemonade.

The 6 oz. tube is $14, available at Bath and Body Works stores and online, of course.