It's a Hairicle: Living Proof

Hairicle: Living Proof by elbonner featuring living proof hair care

It's cold outside, and unless you live in a tropical climate or you are one of those freaks who enjoys it, life is pretty terrible right now. It was 18 degrees last Thursday morning; what the hell is that?! Anhywho, something that goes hand-in-hand with frigid temperatures is dryness, whether it be your hands, face or hair, it's all over the place! Winter is literally sucking the moisture from your body!When the going gets tough, this woman gets going to Sephora to pick up things to make life worth living again int he winter. Now, I have mentioned this brand before, but only very briefly, and it deserves much more attention than a blog blurb every once and a while. So here it is, my ode to Living Proof: my favorite haircare line ever!

Living Proof was created by a bunch of eggheads up at Harvard University, citing that haircare has evolved little in the past 40 years and it was time for a shake-up! They created a molecule, OFPMA (Octafluoropentyl Methacrylate to be exact) that was created to seal the hair shaft without the use of oils or silicones which can weigh hair down and hold onto dirt. OFPMA is responsible for Living Proofs amazing ability to keep styles cleaner and longer lasting, making it easier to go between styling and keep dryness at bay by reducing the frequency of washings. I thought this was a bunch of bologna until my mom got me a few products for Christmas 2013, after that I couldn't bring myself to really care about any other line of hair care. It keeps my hair from being greasy, smells AMAZING, and just makes my hair look healthier. I have collected a few favorite products and I am going to share them with you!

Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner- Great for frizz (no way!), this shampoo has the signature Living Proof scent which I cannot help but huff in the shower. This contains OFPMA which smooths out hair, helping to keep excess moisture out. This combo is also very moisturizing if you have issues with dryness, but it also isn't so heavy that it makes hair greasy. All-in-all a great combo!

Style Extender- Touted as "primer for your hair", this product is put on after washing to help keep your styles lasting longer. It's free of anything heavy or greasy and can be used from root to tip to keep hair looking good for way longer than normal! If you don't shampoo your hair daily, this can be used after a quick rinse to add some moisture to ends. I love this stuff and use it a lot!

Restore Instant Repair Lotion- Like a leave-in conditioner that really leaves frazzled hair feeling stronger. I think this is a great winter hair treat when the weather is drying out everything and it needs a little TLC!

Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment- This is probably my favorite Living Proof Product. This stuff smooths, shines, and volumizes without being heavy or sticky. I use it daily and I will always have it around. It makes everything easier and more manageable!

Straight Styling Spray- This stuff is incredible. It gives you a flat iron-like straight style with just a blow dryer and a flat brush, getting rid of an extra steps worth of heat damage. Just spray all over damp hair, grab your paddle brush, and get to drying! I couldn't believe I could get a style as straight as I did without a flat iron. Why didn't I have this when I was obsessed with super straight hair, which lead to it's ultimate destruction from all the heat damage! A must-buy for those who crave straightness!

Satin Hair Serum- After you straighten your hair and you want a little extra shine, try the satin hair serum! It's light and doesn't contain silicones like most hair serums that leave hair with that weird, pseudo-greasy feel that builds up over time and weighs hair down. This one makes things shiny and smooth for multiple wears. It's probably the only hair serum I've ever really liked.

Instant Texture Mist- After being a long-time user of Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, this stuff is a pretty good alternative. It gives damp or dry hair windblown texture that looks super cool and undone. We spend so much time trying to make done hair look un-done; this mist makes it easy! Just spray and go!

Now, I am in now way bring sponsored or paid by Living Proof to rave about these products, but I wouldn't hate it if they did. The truth is, Living Proof is definitely pricier than your typical drugstore haircare, but if you want no nonsense, excellent style every time you use a product, I feel like that's worth it. The only time I have really awful hair days are when I decide to use something different (fool!). If you've got some extra dough around or just want to try something new, give one of these products a try! Good hair days for all!

All Products available at SEPHORA or LivingProof.com

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Fall-Out: Tropical Skin and Hair Savers

Tropical Skin and Hair Savers by elbonner featuring Malie Organics bath & body products

Well, I can safely say that I have had enough of cold weather. I had a cold and windy run this morning, and even though last week I got a teensy bit excited about fall stuff, I have totally gotten that all out of my system. I am now in full-on tropical mode and wishing for warmer weather, big flowers, palm trees, and warm water. No pumpkin spice concotion or Christmas cookie can give me the sort of joy I get when I walk out of my front door without having to wear a goddamn jacket. Layering is the worst; don't deny it! Even though my city is not going to turn into tropical paradise anytime soon (hurry up, global warming), there are still things I can do to make my life a little more "paradise" and a little less "please kill me, it's cold". Tropical ingredients are great for relieveing winter skin woes too; too much sun=dry skin just as too much cold/wind= dry skin. I can at least use some fabulously scented products to keep my skin and hair in tip-top shape so I'll be totally bangin' by summer's arrival!

Body

Organic Fiji Nourishing Lotion- A thick, yet wearable daily lotion that's good when you need moisture, but still need to put skinny jeans/leggings on. This will keep you just a moisturized as a thicker lotion due to the high fat content from organic coconut oil, but sinks in faster so you can get ready faster!

Hei Poa Monoi Oil- I will always sing the praises of monoi. It's great for skin and hair and I always have a bottle of this handy in the winter and summer time. In winter, I put it on under a body butter when my skin is really dry and unhappy and I'm taken away to a tiare-scented, moisturized skin paradise!

Macadamia Nut Oil- Excellent for dry or mature skin; oils are great for your body no matter what season it is. Macadamia oil is rich, but soaks in well to keep your skin flake free even in the coldest of places!

Malie Plumeria Beauty Oil- This really is a beautiful product. Made in Hawaii with native ingredients, Malie Organics makes you feel like you're miles away from dead leaves and dangerously aggressive holiday shoppers. This oil comes in all types of different scents, but plumeria is my favorite!

Saffron James Nani Perfume Oil- Don't spray yourself with alcohol-laden fragrances, use something that benefits your skin and lasts longer! You're going to be power blasted with full, Arctic-force winds until March, so why not use a perfume oil that stays on a smelling great. Saffron James makes the best perfume oils and are all based on famous Hawaiian scents. WIN-WIN!

Pure Fiji Body Butter- For when a lotion isn't enough, this super rich body butter comes in scents like coconut, pineapple, mango, and starfruit to keep you comfortable and smelling nice! Made with Fijian ingredients, it's the ultimate skin-based escapism!

Hair

Macadamia Oil Hair Mask- Rich moisture for wind and cold-damaged hair. Winter really sucks the moisture out of my entire being; my hair included. This masque is great on a cold, rainy Sunday when I can keep it in for a few hours to really let everything soak in.It works great in a pinch, too, and can give you soft, shiny hair after only having it in for a few minutes.

Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk- This thick cream is best when left on damp hair to dry naturally. It gives me soft, shiny waves without any gnarly dry ends. I also use this in my hair before and winter surf sessions to keep the cold salt water from double-destroying it. Smells AMAZING!

Alba Hawaiian Hair Products- I basically love the entire Alba Hawaiian line. I haven't tried one product that I wouldn't buy again and again. They're hair care line is great for everyday care; sulfate-free shampoos that don't strip moisture and light-but-moisturizing conditioners that don't weigh your hair down with too much product. Plus, they smell like what I believe heaven smells like. My favorites are the plumeria shampoo and gardenia conditioner. 

Winter can be a tough time for skin and hair, and super tough for those who would rather smell like a tropical flower garden than a cinnamon smothered Christmas tree. So if you're a fellow winter-hater, get some warm, tropical scents in your life and pray for warmth!

At Home and Across The Pond: Soap and Glory Favorites!

Soap & Glory Favorite by elbonner featuring fabric home decor

Do you ever forget about something you used to love, come back to it, and wonder why you ever left? I had that happen when I was on my trip to England. I always venture into a Boots Chemist/Pharmacy while I'm there so I can pick up stuff like body lotion and deodorant and just like all the other time, I dawdled around the aisles looking for something new (I always want to try new things). Long ago, I used to buy Soap and Glory products from Boots like it was going out of style. It was new, fun, and not available at home. Boots was then purchased or merged with Target and Soap and Glory came to the states, and unfortunately the whole mystique I had built up in my mind around Soap and Glory was gone. It's like I forgot about all the awesome stuff they had! Not only that, Target stopped carrying it and they switched over to Sephora which meant one thing, waaaay more pricey. 
The good about spending time away from something you used to love is that it makes it all the more exciting when you see it again in a whole new light! When I went into Boots a few weeks ago I saw that the shelf or two of Soap and Glory of the past turned into a big display of all sorts of new products and scents! It was like seeing an old friend and having that feeling where everything felt just like it did when you first found them and it's comfortable, but fun and new at the same time!
The UK product line is MUCH more extensive than what is available in America, which bums me out because they have the most wonderful scents going on across the pond. In the states, we can only find a fraction of what's available back in England, including cosmetics, a ton of great skin care, and some amazing scented body products. I've listed my US and UK favorites here for you!

USA
Sugar Crush Body Wash- Smells like a vanilla lime milkshake. It takes everything in me not to eat this stuff or spread it on top of an ice cream cake; like a Key Lime pie for your body! You only need like 2-3 pumps on a body pouf and you're wrapped in a delicious, non-drying foam that makes even the earliest of showers better.

Sugar Crush Body Scrub- Not oily, which is a huge must if you don't want to fall and break your hip in the bathtub. Same great fragrance as the body wash and you really can't go wrong with a good sugar scrub and S&G are great when it comes to scrubs.

Sugar Crush Body Butter- Soap and Glory are known for their body butters and for good reason: THEY'RE FREAKING AMAZING! Their signature butter formula is made even better by, you guessed it, the sweet limey vanilla scent that makes you consider eating it out of the jar. 

The Righteous Butter Lotion- Nicely scented body lotion that is high on moisture and low on greasiness. I cannot stand putting on lotion to begin with and I'm really bad about putting it on because I HATE feeling greasy afterwards. This stuff soaks in right away and lasts a long time. The scent can be a little strong, but I love how well it moisturizes so I sort of look past it and if anyone complains they can really and truly suck it.

All US Products Available at Sephora

UK

Orangeasm Body Scrub- Smells like all the citruses thrown together and I couldn't be happier. Citrus is a great shower scent because it wakes you up and puts you in a good mood. I am kicking myself for not bringing back 50 jars of this stuff in my suitcase and on my person. It's like smuggling level awesome. If you're in the UK, go to Boots, pop open a jar, have a sniff, and have a big ol' Orangeasm right in the store!

Peaches and Clean Facial Cleanser- Great cleanser for removing makeup whilst being gentle. It's getting closer to winter in the UK and a gentle cleanser is a must for those with dry and sensitive skin. Really wish more of the skincare was available over here in the states!

Orangeasm Body Wash- Smells like the scrub, but you can justify using it every day! It comes in a giant bottle and is a great waker-upper!

Smoothie Star Body Milk- Please bring this to America, Soap and Glory. This lotion smells like you're immersed in the most delicious bowl of honey-filled oatmeal. Soap and Glory does lotions really well and this lotion soaks in immediately and keeps dryness away all day long!

All UK Products Available at Boots

If you're looking for something new to try or you're rediscovering an old friend, go out and give Soap and Glory a go! They make excellent Christmas gift sets and now is the time (even though it's not even Halloween!) you'll start seeing them in stores. Give yourself some TLC and get scented!

All Aboard the Cattle Car: Travel Essentials!

Travel Essentials by elbonner featuring a yoga activewear

There are few things in life that can truly destroy every facet of your soul quite like airline travel. I spent years watching my Dad have mini-coronaries because of flight delays, wished a quick death upon bratty kids kicking my seat, having to sit next to that guy in the window seat who keeps going to the bathroom too much. It's all parts of the joy of travel! Usually, this sort of stuff doesn't really bother me on the way to my destination, but I am set off by the smallest thing when my vacation is over and I'm strapped in a metal tube with a bunch of fucking weirdos for 6+ hours. There are things that can be done to make air travel a little less excruciating and it really has everything to do with planning and trial and error. Learn from my errors and check out my tips for having an airport trip so pleasant, you won't want to off yourself at 38,000 feet!

1. Dress Like a Yoga Teacher:
One thing that makes me giggle to myself when I travel is when people treat it like a damn fashion show. We're all sitting in a seat full of stranger-farts for hours on end eating food Turkish prisoners would probably scoff at; there's no need to look super fancy. Don't even get me STARTED on people who wear heels on planes who aren't going directly to a business meeting. I travel in yoga pants or running tights because they are flattering, you save room in your luggage by wearing your workout clothes, and if you get the right kind, they can actually look really nice whilst being super comfortable. I also try and wear a lightweight sweater or long-sleeved t-shirt when I fly, in the softest material I can possibly find. I don't want to have to adjust myself the entire flight and it makes it easy to dodge food carts, reach for overhead luggage, or do some stretches in your seat. A big scarf is also handy because you can use it as a blanket, an eye mask, a head wrap, or even a napkin in emergency situations. Keep it lightweight so you don't wake up a sweaty mess. Also, get shoes you can easily take on and off. If you're traveling int he states, TSA Security requires you to take your shoes off, so don't be wearing some thigh high, lace-up boots in my line!
-Featherweight Sweater (Target)
-Standard Running Tights (Roxy)
-Hemp Polka Dot Classics (Toms)
-Large Printed Scarf (Zara)

2. Bag Awareness:
Just bring a backpack, no matter what your beef with them is. There are so many awesome backpacks available now that aren't your 7th grade Jansport with "Mrs. Taylor Hanson" written all over it in White-Out. Backpacks are great for carrying laptops, iPads, books, tickets without the shoulder-destroying weight of your traditional shoulder bags. They typically fit under the seat in front of you and can act as an adventure bag in case you go on a tour or something on your trip. 
It's also super important to plan for over-packing. Get yourself a foldaway tote to get out just in case your souvenirs tip the weight limit of your suitcase. These are great for carrying around last-minute airport gifts and maybe even some lunch of you can't stomach airplane food. I am really against people bringing huge roll-on carry-ons because they don't want to pay to check their bags. It's a waste of space and it drives me nuts! Get your backpack and Foldaway on and have all the room you need!
-Kanken Backpack (Fjallraven)
-Foldaway Shoulder Bag (Cath Kidston)

3. Stuff To Do:
Sometimes your seat back tv screen doesn't work (story of my life) and you are stuck on a 7 hour flight without any movies! Psh, forget that, you've got a butt-ton of stuff to do that has nothing to do with that barely working touch-screen! iPads and tablets really are wonderful for travel. I have all sorts of games like Risk, Ticket to Ride, Scrabble, Peggle, and many others to keep me and my travel companions entertained for quite a while. I also download a bunch of magazines before each trip so I'm not loaded down with paper copies in my carry-on. PROTIP- make sure they are fully downloaded before you are without wifi or else you'll only have a loaded cover page and lots of broken dreams. I still have not jumped on the e-reader bandwagon so I bring a book or two that is short, but long enough to keep me entertained. I usually bring something funny and lighthearted or something about a subject I'm really interested in. Another thing I recommend is a decent pair of headphones. If I found $400 laying on the ground, I would buy a pair of Bose Noise-Cancelling headphones because they really do work, but since that will never ever happen, I make do with my Sennheiser cushy headphones. The cord wraps up nicely, the foam is comfy on my ears, and they do block outside noise better than plane-provided headphones. They are a bit bulky, but I like having my own so I make the sacrifice.

4. Beauty From Above:
Airplanes have the driest air. Your typical humidity level on earth is about 50% unless you live in a jungle or in Antarctica. Humidity levels on airplanes clock in at a whopping 15-20% which makes my hands flake just thinking about it. Make sure you have something to combat the dryness that can multitask and don't take up too much space. I really like Badger Balms because they can be used all over your body. I put them on my knuckles, knees, temples, and lips. The Badge Balm Sleep Balm is good for calming yourself down when you're stuck on a plane on in the airport. Lavender will help quell your feelings of total world destruction and keep your homicidal feelings in check all whilst keeping you moisturized. I also love the moisturizing cream from Yu-Be which is super moisturizing, but doesn't feel greasy. It's almost like a powdery finish, but not a dry feeling. It smells a bit medicinal, but it doesn't overpower; one of my new favorites! It's also important to have a triclosan-free hand sanitizer (look on the label, it should be an alcohol-based sanitizer). I love the PocketBac's from Bath and Body Works because they come in a bajillion different scents and they are super small so they fit almost anywhere.
-Badger Balm Sleep Balm (Amazon)
-Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream (Sephora) 
-PocketBac Hand Sanitizer (Bath and Body Works) 

A bit of a long one, but I'm just trying to help you, damnit! Airplane travel is already a pain, don't burden yourself with a whole bunch of stuff to make it even more stressful than it needs to be. Plan things out, downsize/purge your unnecessary stuff, and think about the things that make you feel better in less-than-perfect situations. Just remember, it's all a part of the journey, get out there and see stuff!

I've Made A Huge Mistake: Face Masks for Sunburned Skin!

Face Masks fro Sunburned Skin by elbonner featuring wall art

Tis' the season to fall asleep on your beach chair, laying in your yard, or on a pool floaty, only to wake up with the ultimate facial disaster. Accidentally incurring radiation poisoning is a huge bummer (especially if you had sunglasses on), but it's not the end of the world. Number one, it reminds you for the rest of the summer to put that sunscreen on, and number two, there are things you can do to ease the burn and the best thing I've found is by slapping a mask on it! These can be used on other parts of your body, but it can get messy. You may need to stand in the bathtub for half an hour while these masks do their thing. Here are some winning combinations that you can get at your grocery store and why they are good for curing the burn!

1. Turmeric, Lemon, and Greek Yogurt Mask: Turmeric has been under some rigorous tasting lately, mostly due to the fact that cancer researchers have found out that this wonder-root has some pretty incredible anti-inflammatory properties which can help kep itssues and organs healthy. With turmeric's benefits being scientifically proven, it makes a great sunburn remedy. Mix it in with some vitamin C-packed lemon juice (vitamin C reverves photo-aging) and some full-fat Greek yogurt (the fats and acids found in full-fat yogurt also calm inflamation) and you have the sunburn remedy of all remedies! This is my personal favorite and really helps with painful sunburns.

2. Acai, Manuka Honey, and Aloe Vera Juice: Acai is readily available at most grocery stores in juice or powdered form and either will work in this mask (the juice makes things a bit runnier). It's got a TON of antioxidants in it that fight off the free radicals that are hellbent on destroying your skin. Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and unlike regular honey, has a more medicinal taste and smell. Don't let it put you off, because it has some unbelievable antimicrobial and antioxidant properties; all essential in getting rid of sunburn! Aloe Vera is an old favorite in the sunburn game, but sometimes I find it lacking all by itself. Why not add it to some other amazing ingredients to give them a moisturizing boost! 

3. Avocado, Oats, and Milk: Your typical cartoon freak-out-your-little-brother mask, avocado masks are great for getting some moisture back into your skin. Avocados are like natures butter and will inject your skin with some of the moisture it lost frying out in the heat. By adding some moisture-grabbing oats, you up the soothing effect. Top it all off with some full-fat to 2% milk, and let the lactic acids soothe away all the fiery hotness.

I hope these help you on your quest to not look like a kickball-turned old, leathery basketball this summer. The sun is no joke and put on your damn sunscreen like your mother told you, already! These masks are in NO WAY something that can keep you from getting skin cancer or magically keep you from aging. They're just to take away the pain of not slathering on the only thing that can keep you protected! If it was a complete accident, be proactive and get your skin back in tip-top shape!

Tropicooler Than Anything: Comptoir Sud Pacifique

Tropicool: Comptoir Sud Pacifique by elbonner featuring a flower perfume

Every once in a while, a true miracle happens that reminds you what it's like to be alive again. That little miracle happened this week when I checked the "What's New" section of Sephora's website. I was scrolling through, not expecting anything out of the ordinary when I saw a familiar name. Like the name of an old friend I thought had disappeared forever; one I never thought I'd see again. But there it was, Comptoir Sud Pacifique, a name I thought was forever damned to them realms of fragrance nostalgia websites! Comptoir Sud Pacifique is a fragrance line based around the scents of French Polynesia and it has E. By The Sea smeared all over it. Their fragrances range from sweet tropical fruits, to warm coconut, to fresh aquatic notes that are like a olfactory vacation. Not only did I find they re-released my favorite fragrances of the past,but they are selling smaller, roll-on versions FOR $20!! I nearly had a coronary and then promptly bought one. I remember begging for these as birthday gifts in high school and smelling them whilst watching half-loaded Roxy surf videos in the early days of high speed internet. This is the perfect time for this release because these are the only summer scents you will ever need. If you are not really into super fruity fragrances, wait around a bit, because Comptoir Sud Pacifique did have some floral fragrances in the past and I'm hoping they will make a comeback too. If your Coco Mademoiselle or your Miss Dior Cherie need to pack a lunch, get yourself a Tahitian vacation for as low as $20 with Comptoir Sud Pacifique's amazing frangrances! Bon Voyage!

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Available at Sephora

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Sweet Brown: How To Get The Perfect Fake Tan. Every. Time.

Let me start out by saying this is a process; a commitment to being bronzed (not that paleness is bad!) that cannot be half-assed. If you are someone who is committed to staying sun-safe, but has a hard time living life in the pale-lane, than follow these steps to the perfect sunless tan. This method is tried and true by yours truly and friends and family can confirm that that tan looks real and in no way freakishly orange.

Ingredients For The Perfect Tan:

Tanning Mousse

Tanning Mitt

Rubber/Nitrile Gloves (in a size that fits your hand snugly!)

Exfoliating (Hammam) Mitt

Thick Moisturizer

A Cool, Dry Room To Apply Your Tan

ITEM 1

Long Live The Mousse:

I can honestly say that the only way to fake-tan is with a sunless tanning mousse. I have tried the gradual lotions, I have tried the funky brown lotions with a color-guide, I've done the sprays. The Mousse is top-dog for two reasons: 1.) It dries very quickly which keeps you from getting hot which can lead to tan-ruining sweat, and 2.) It allows you to use the ultimate tanning applicator: THE MITT (which I'll get to later). There are many mousses that I like, but I'll give you my absolute favorites:

St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse $42

Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse $54

St. Moritz Instant Self Tanning Mousse $5

ITEM 2

The Mitt:

I used to think the tanning mitt was a waste of money. What better applicator than my gloved hands, right? WRONG. I pray at the alter of the tanning mitt and I will never turn back. It makes your applications totally flawless; it totally gets rid of any streakiness that can be cause by using your hands. Now, that doesn't mean you don't wear gloves because the tanner can soak through the mitt and deposit unwanted color on your fingers. Another mitt I recommend the committed tanner purchase is an exfoliating mitt or hammam glove. These gloves are used in Turkish spas by big burly dudes to scrub all you dead (and living) skin off your body leaving you dead-skin free! These are a little more economical than body scrubs which literally get washed down the drain when you're done with them. With the hammam glove, you get the same exfoliation or better without buying more body scrubs!

St. Moritz Tanning Mitt $5

Hammam Glove $20

THE PROCESS

Exfoliate and Shave:

Always exfoliate before you shave. It bristles up any hairs that may be a tad ingrown and makes for a smoother shave. Focus on feet, knees, and elbows which are notorious for being dry, but scrub the rest of your body too! After you exfoliate, shave any bits you want to shave and then give yourself a wash with some body wash in-case you use an oily shaving cream. You want your body devoid of excess moisture which can cause an uneven tan.

Dry Off and Moisturize:

Make sure you are completely dry before you moisturize and tan. If you need to leave your humid bathroom environment, DO IT. Once you are dry, put a thick, creamy moisturizer on the driest parts of your body that could possibly hold more tanner than necessary: toes/feet, ankles, knees, elbows, knuckles, the big five!

Glove-Up:

Always wear gloves when applying tanner or else your hands will look like you've colored them in with a brown Sharpie. I wear nitrile (non latex) disposable gloves from work in the appropriate size (small). Big, floppy gloves will only result in a very frustrating experience. Put your tanning mitt over your gloved hand and start with two pumps of your tanning mousse of choice. 

Tan Time:

Start at the feet and blend your tanner everywhere it needs to go. Work your way up the leg and so-forth. Once you get to the point where you need to tan your back, flip the applicator side of your mitt so that it sits on the top of your hand and swipe it across your back like you're trying to get at an itch. Switch the mitt to the other hand and do the same thing to get the places you couldn't get with the other hand. If you have a shoulder injury or can't move your arm that way, get someone to help you!

Post-Tanning:

No physical activity! Any sweat or excess water will jack up all your had work. Your best bet is to tan the night before you want to be bronze and let the tan develop overnight. Tanners will stain light-colored sheets so sleep on a towel or switch to some darker sheets ( I told you it's a process)! When you wake up, you'll be a bronze goddess! Many tanners recommend you shower off any color guides (brown residue) after your tan develops or else you'll get brown stains on your clothes. 

END RESULT: Enjoy Your Tan!

If you want a darker tan, apply more tanner the next morning and avoid any moisure-filled activites. I wasn't kidding when I said it was a process, but this is what I do. If you don't have this much time on your hands, go get a professional spray tan. If you don't have enough time for that, I'm out of ideas. When I explain my process to people, it's almost always overwhelming, but I want to be transparent as to how I achieve the best sunless tan I can get. Once you get the process down, it's not really a big deal and the benefits outweigh the hassle! 

If there are any other questions you may have about my process, leave a question in the comments section and I'll get right on it! I don't think fake tanning is a hassle; if I can still look tan without risking my health, I'm all for it! Forget the hours of sunbathing or money spent at a tanning salon and tan the safe way!

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