This stuff is my answer to being so pasty, I could try-out as an extra in the next Twilight movie- Fake Bake – Self Tanning Airbrush Spray - LOVE it! For the first time ever, I bought a self-tanner that does what it says it will do. Yeah, yeah, yeah, so it’s $30- kinda pricey you say, for a self-tanner (the Husband would think so too, which is why I told him it was only $10, so shhhh). Just consider what you would pay for an airbrush tan at a salon, or even a Mystic tan- and then keep in mind, that you would get at least three applications out of one can, and voila! Rationalization at it’s best right there!

Fake Bake is the first sunless tanner that I have used that gave me golden, even coverage on my first attempt. In addition, it didn’t have that yucky chemical smell that we all know is the chemicals reacting with your skin to produce the color, but it always reminds me of cat pee- gross. So, to find a tanner that has a pleasant smell and maintains a pleasant smell is surely a bonus! Also, the Fake Bake has a nice “instant” tan as you spray it on, which really helps to guide you while applying the product.

First thing you want to do before applying any self tanner, is shower, and exfolliate. Every different brand says that you should use their exfolliant first- in my experience, as long as you are exfoliating with something that is oil-free, and doesn’t leave a residue that will inhibit the sunless tanner, you’re golden, well, at least getting there! With a spray formula, such as Fake Bake, you will want to apply the tanner in your shower- not while the water’s running, or you’ll get streaks. But, definitely within the shower, or else you will end up sunless tanning everything in your bathroom- not a fun mess to clean up, I assure you! Spray in long, even strokes over your body, then rub in any “blotches”. For your back- a little trick I learned is to spray all that you can reach, then for the middle part that most of us can’t reach, bend at the waist like a tabletop, spray the tanner into the air above your back, then hold still, and it should fall pretty evenly onto your back. Or, you can ask someone to spray your back for you, always a novel idea!

Once you’re all laquered up, give yourself 15 minutes before getting dressed, wash your hands and soles of your feet with soap and water, so you don’t get orange Oompa Loompa stains on them. And, lastly, this will sound funny, but blow your nose. All of the little tanning particles from the spray will collect, and if you don’t heed my advice, you will get to wherever you’re going, and have brown nostrils, and people will point and laugh, and you will say, “I should have listened to Kristin’s advice!” Then I will point and laugh and say “I told you so”! Because that’s what friends are for.

There are a few items that I could not live without on my trip to Puerto Vallarta. Since it was too hot and sticky for a face full of make-up, I had to make some adjustments! My favorite stay pretty when it’s a 100 degrees tip is to use a tinted lip balm. No mess, no fuss- no time for liner, lipstick and gloss- by the time you get the liner on, it’s running down your chin like a sad clowns face! Forget that! I used Softlips tinted lip balm in Bronze- a little color, plus SPF 15- easy and pretty. Plus, I got through the week without chapped or sunburned lips!

The other little trick that I loved was using a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. When it’s already sticky outside, no one wants to slather their face with moisturizer, sunscreen, then make-up! I used Olay Definity Color Recapture, Light/Medium, - a light coverage foundation and built- in, moisturizer with spf 15, for a flawless, goop-free look!

I have found yet another item to add to my “get out of the house with the kids as fast as I can looking half-way decent” arsenal: Origin’s Zero Oil. This little potion does exactly what it says it will do, and provides a matte finish instantly, either under make-up, or over it.

Infused with natural oil-blotters, silicates and a light astringent, from the second I smooth it on my face, a matte finish appears, and it is not a stretch to say that it lasts all day. I have very oily skin that is also very sensitive, so I have a hard time using too many products on my face. With this little mini miracle worker, I just apply a pea-sized amount over my nose, chin and forehead after I cleanse and moisturize, and the oily slick is kept at bay!