Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Help This White Girl!!

Y'all, I am white.

And I don't mean pretty, creamy white. I mean I am fish-belly white. I mean so-white-there-is-sort-of-a-green-tint white. And to top it all off, I have those lovely red bumps all over the backs of my upper arms and on my thighs.

Really, it makes for a pretty picture.

Ahem.

And, now that we have finally entered spring, my whiteness is really being shown off, so I am now in search of a tan.

But, because we are all aware of the dangers of the sun (hello, basal cell carcinoma), I am trying to become a little less white by artificial means. I have been using the Nivea lotion that is supposed to give you a little color with each application, and it does the trick. However, it stinks. I mean, it really, really stinks. I can hardly stand to smell myself, and it is hard to not smell yourself -- it isn't like you can hold your breath all day.

So, I am looking for a good sunless tanner. This month's Coastal Living has an article on the best self tanners, but I am not sure how much faith to put into their knowledge of beauty products. Here are some that I am tempted to try:



I am thinking that this one may be the best bet since it is the best overall, but the magazine doesn't mention anything about its smell. And I am picky about the smell.



So, do any of y'all know anything about any of the above self tanners? And, if not, do you have one that you swear by?

Please help this white girl get a little less white!

(all images from Coastal Living)

8 comments:

Micah said...

I am in the same boat and I cannot stand the smell of self tanners. I need help too!!!! My legs are blinding...

Kayla said...

PLEASE post a review when you try!! I need this myself. I got a free mystic tan and I am trying desperately not to use it. I don't want to be orange... just bronze and beautiful!

http://senseofstyleiseternal.blogspot.com/

Jessie said...

Hi Christie, I can't really remember how I found my way over to your blog but I thought I'd weigh in on this topic... The absence of color, not so much although I'm there with you), but the red bumps I can... I've had them my whole life but they are the worst on the backs of my arms and upper thighs. The My dermatologist said it's Keratosis Pilararis which is pretty common. The best treatment is a lotion/creme called Amlactin that is now over the counter. Sometimes it's in the lotions section and sometimes it's behind the pharmacy counter but you don't need a prescription. I don't recommend using it on your legs after you shave though b/c it BURNS!

And thanks for the tanner suggestions, I could use them!

LITB,
Jessie

Beachy Chic said...

All winter long I use the Jergens gradual tan moisturizer....I always get asked if I am going to the tanning bed...so it works! It doesnt smell horrible but I just put it on before bed and shower in the morning to get it off.
Other than that the only other product that I have found to work - and I have spent mega bucks on products - is the Neutrogena Spray. I use the #2 and it works great for spring and then #3 in the summer when I have tan but wish I was a bit darker.
DO NOT USE #3 in the spring...you will be orange. And again this works best if you apply at night: shower & exfoliate, totally dry off and apply a light moisturizer...totally dry again. spray yourself with product...walk around until dry (your hubby will love this). I shower again in the am and am nice and tan!

Good luck!

Beachy Chic said...

All winter long I use the Jergens gradual tan moisturizer....I always get asked if I am going to the tanning bed...so it works! It doesnt smell horrible but I just put it on before bed and shower in the morning to get it off.
Other than that the only other product that I have found to work - and I have spent mega bucks on products - is the Neutrogena Spray. I use the #2 and it works great for spring and then #3 in the summer when I have tan but wish I was a bit darker.
DO NOT USE #3 in the spring...you will be orange. And again this works best if you apply at night: shower & exfoliate, totally dry off and apply a light moisturizer...totally dry again. spray yourself with product...walk around until dry (your hubby will love this). I shower again in the am and am nice and tan!

Good luck!

Beachy Chic said...

Jergens Moisturizer that tans you is AWESOME and cheap...and truely works! I get asked all the time if I am tanning...which I NEVER do.
Also, the BEST is Neutrogena Spray...#2 for spring and #3 for summer. The secret is this:

Shower & Exfoliate at night
apply a light moisturizer all over and allow to dry completely. Spray yourself with product...everywhere. Allow to dry before getting dressed (the men love this) and shower when you wake up to rinse off...its AWESOME and no streaky hands from lotions.
Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

I was in search too...then I came across this post by a fellow blogger {here's the link--www.throughpinkcoloredglasses.com/2009/10/no-shame-in-fakin-it.html} And I got one and I am IN LOVE!! Good luck with the search and hope your having a great day! xoxo

Tommy, Erica, Addie Kate, and Andrew said...

Thanks for posting this! I'm just as white and it's SUCH a pain. I can't tan for anything, and I too have had 2 skin cancers removed - and I don't even try to tan or anything and still had skin cancern - what in the world? Let us know what works!

 
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