Self Tanning = Safe Tanning

Sun-Tanning causes wrinkles, other signs of premature aging, and skin cancer. It can take years to come to the surface, but it WILL catch up with you. Self-Tanning products have a come a long way in recent years, so there’s really no reason to risk it.

Here are my tips to getting natural, even color INDOORS…

1. Always Exfoliate Before Self Tanning

If you start with a smooth/even surface, you are more likely to get smooth/even results. I like to exfoliate my body with St. Ives Apricot Scrub in the shower before self tanning. St. Ives Apricot Scrub is available at most grocery and drug stores for around $4.

Ps. This is the regular apricot scrub, NOT the blemish fighting scrub.

2. Moisturize Skin After Exfoliating

After exfoliating in your shower, but before applying self tanner, apply moisturizer to your body. When your skin is smooth and moisturized, self tanner is less likely to grab onto dry patches of skin, causing a blotchiness.

3. Use a Self Tanning Mitt

Self tanning mitts are inexpensive. They allow for easy/even application, and they cut your self tanning time in half. I always use a self tanning mitt to buff self tanner into my skin. It’s quick and it protects my hands from coming in contact with self tanner.

Self Tanning Mitts are available at Ulta stores and other beauty supply stores for only a few dollars.

4. Use a Good Self Tanner

No matter how well you prep your skin, if you slap on a bad self tanner, you’re just going to end up looking a streaky-orange mess. I recently tried the above Summer Lovers Self Tanning Mousse by Napoleon Perdis and I fell in LOVE with it. It pumps out a blue-green tinted foam with a tropical scent. You know you are going to get good color when your self tanner has a blue-green tint to it.

Blue counteracts Orange… No Oompa Loompas here

The Summer Lovers Self Tanning Mousse dries quickly and does not transfer onto sheets or clothes. It gradually develops into a natural, even tan. The developing smell comes at a minimum and is much more tolerable than any other self tanner I’ve used. Apply it before bed and you will probably never even smell it. You may need to apply this a couple consecutive days depending on how deep you want your tan to go. I recommend this to girls with fair to light/medium complexions because it gives gradual, natural results.

Napoleon Perdis Summer Lovers Self Tanning Mousse is available at ULTA stores for $37.

Moving in with your mate is serious business. When you’re in love, you feel invincible and impervious to any dead end relationships telling you: “DON’T DO IT GIRL!!!”. But sharing a space with ANYONE (much less someone you’re banging), requires a carefully thought out plan, constant consideration, and in the worst case, an escape route. More often than not, couples move in together out of convenience (be it financial, job location, or sexual urge *what guy doesn’t like the idea of in-house punanny??) I’ll be the first to admit that when it came to my own relationships, there were only two week time periods in which me and homeboy lived separately. “Whirlwind romance” is what I called it. Crazy in love? YES. Recommended? Hell no. The most important thing you must remind yourself is that you’re dealing with a whole separate human being. A spirit that has no obligation to yours whatsoever; one with its own likes, dislikes, and most notably, own agenda.

1. First and foremost, discuss how EACH AND EVERY bill will be divided. Definitely kills the romance factor, but it’s more than necessary. I made the mistake of never wanting to talk about money and when the first of the month came, I was stuck on stupid, scrambling for the rent… all in an effort to seem “independent”. SMH.

2. Don’t move in assuming he’ll put a ring on it. That’s sadly old fashioned and if that’s your motive, then expect NOTHING to fall in your favor. Intention is EVERYTHING and if you pressure him, you might as well push him away. For good.

3. Don’t do it “for the kids”. If mommy and daddy are better off apart, baby can sense it. Don’t add to the stress of being single parents by forcing yourselves to couple up.

4. Respect his taste. So what if your Ming vase doesn’t match his Lazy Boy? Divide the rooms equally to where each of you can create a PERSONAL comfort zone. For example, give him the office while you revamp the kitchen and vice versa. Nothing is ever that serious, especially when it comes to interior decorating. That’s why the word “eclectic” exists.

5. You are NOT alone anymore. If you’re super shy about your mate seeing you sans makeup or covered in pimple cream, take this into consideration. Your personal hygiene products (as well as any toenail clippings, depilatory creams, and/or laxatives) will be on display. If you’re the type to care (sorry to hear if you AREN’T), then cover your tracks and hide your stuff far, far away.

6. DON’T BITCH. This goes for both of you. Don’t complain about his porn collection, soiled undergarments, or leaving the toilet seat up. That way he won’t be compelled to ramble on about your hoarding tendencies or dislike towards cooking. Everyone wins.

7. Know when it’s not working. If you went from Jay and Bey to Ike and Tina, don’t be afraid to admit defeat and move on. Whichever party is moving out, do so QUICKLY and quietly, so not to cause any added mayhem. Yes, that includes NOT cutting up clothes or throwing the flatscreen into the street.

8. Listen to your gut. If there is ONE iota of doubt, or you find yourself making up excuses, DON’T DO IT GIRL. In this case, let time be your bestie.