The other day while getting dressed for work, I ditched my tights and opted for bare legs…that is until I was taking some OOTD pictures and noticed how pale and dry they were. Ick. I put on tights before I left the house because I realized it was only 50 degrees out that morning…it did get into the 70’s later in the day but I had some early morning meetings that would have caused me to freeze my tootsies off if I hadn’t had tights on.
Well ladies, it was time to take some action. Last night I “hit the bottle” and airbrush tanned my entire body before bed (I always do this- I get better results when I let it sink in for the 8 hours I sleep and I don’t have to worry about walking around smelling horrible all day.) I also haven’t been working out so I needed a skinny boost (self-tans make me feel like I’ve lost 5 lbs…or at least make me look more toned. oh the deception.)
I am a big supporter of airbrush tanning formulas. In my opinion, airbrush formulas are among the best self tanning products because they have a higher rate of successful at-home application. The fine mist creates an even finish and because you don’t need to rub airbrush formulas into the skin, it leaves less room for error.
When I use gel or cream formulas I end up with more “missed” areas and it is so much more effort than using an airbrush formula. Having said that, I do LOVE a lot of cream and gel formulas, but I recommend them only for advanced self-tanners.
Last night I used Victoria Secret’s “Bare Bronze” airbrush self tanner for the first time. I got it after the holidays 75% off during their beauty sale and never got around to using it. I am so glad I finally tried it because it is amazing. Great color, easy to apply, didn’t miss a spot, dried quickly, smell was not atrocious.
So imagine my horror when I found out it was discontinued. Yep. Always happens. However, I am confident that VS might have just re-branded their self tanner line because I saw on their website that they have a new Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray. Of course it is once again limited edition.
I plan to try this new formula and see how it compares to the Bare Bronze. Like I said, it could just be the same product re-branded, a lot of companies do that. I do love the hot pink packaging on this new formula. I’m a sucker for it. Make something pink and I want it!
Anyways, I can’t really recommend “Bare Bronze” because it’s no longer available, so I’m committing to testing out the new formula to let you all know if it’s good (*crossing my fingers that it’s as awesome as Bare Bronze!*)
Here’s what I wore the day of the pale legs (and hey, there is nothing wrong with paleness at all,I just haven’t been working out lately and have been working late and all that combined plus the paleness just made me feel blah…pluslaso my skin has been going crazy lately. Like breakouts crazy…not sure what’s going on.)
skirt- ann taylor, top- ann taylor, cardigan- express, pumps- jessica simpson
The Ann Taylor skirt I’m wearing is one of my favorites. It has a subtle textured leopard print. Now that spring is around the corner, I need to stop wearing tights (sad, cause I love em’) and start to bare my legs. Problem is, some of the skirts that looked awesome/appropriate with opaque black tights (they were never shorter than a bit above the knee) just don’t look right with bare legs, especially because I’m tall.
So this weekend, I am hitting the Galleria to embark on a search for lightweight material skirts that are long enough to wear with bare legs (because um, too-short skirts are as offensive as major cleavage at the office.)
I will let you know if I find any skirts that fit the ticket after my shopping trip. I do own some skirts that are perfect bare-leg length, but I’d like to expand on this collection so there’s more variety/choices.
If you’ve seen any awesome skirts lately, please let me know where in the comments below! Also- when do you start using self tanner (if you use it at all?) Do you break it out the moment you have bare legs or do you wait until summer proper?
xoxo,
Veronika.
Do you ever run into problems with the self-tanner staining your sheets or pajamas? I've tried so many different formulas, and they ALL do this. Sometimes permanently. So annoying.
Michele- my sheets are dark greyish/taupe. I have seen a tiny bit of staining but it usually comes out. I wouldn't sleep in self tanner in white sheets.
My skin has been breaking out like crazy too and unfortunately I think it might be because my skin is too sensitive to use the clarisonic on. Not quite sure yet. I've been using it on and off for the past 2 months. I like to get a spray tan on Thursday nights before a "big" weekend where I have an event. I never use much self-tanner, but my mom swears by TanTowels for a leg or arm tan, which you can buy on amazon. I've found some good work skirts at the limited. Recently they had a sale for 30% off skirts.
I've been breaking out like crazy too and I unfortunately think it may be due to my clarisonic and having sensitive skin. I like to spraytan at salons the Thursday before a weekend with a fun event. My mom swears by the TanTowel which you can buy at amazon.com. She says it's really good for arms and legs.
I've actually only every used the Jergens "Natural Glow" lotion on my legs. It was easy to use, but to harsh for my overly sensitive skin. Other than that I don't do anything to make myself look tan. In fact I slather on high SPF sunscreen all the time (very excited about Neutrogena doing 100+ SPF for face and body). I've embraced my pale complexion for the most part.
I started using Neutrogena's Build a Tan about 3 years ago and have been pretty faithful. I tried Jergens on 2 separate occasions but I found it to get blotchy after about a week.
I really need to get over my self tanner fear my legs are practically glowing they're so white! lol
I used the Jergen's Natural Glow and at first, I love the tan but after a few weeks, the tan was coming off! I don't know why but maybe it's because I swim everyday and maybe the chlorine ruins it.
I am leaving for spring break tomorrow and yup, I'm pretty pale and I was not comfortable with experimenting with airbrush tanners days before my trip. I was actually planning on hitting the tanning bed but your blog talked me out of it. Thanks for that, by the way. =)
I really don't feel comfortable leaving the house with bare arms or legs when I have no fake tan on. I am that pale. I have tried tons of fake tan for that reason, and the best one I have found is Hamilton Tru Bronz – not sure if it's available in the States, I have a hard time finding it here. I've only had luck with lotion fake tan and the occasional pro spray tan.
Three weeks before my wedding I tried a new fake tan (Tuscan Tan) and it gave me a horrendous rash – and I do not have sensitive skin. And then when I had a spray tan a couple of days before the wedding, it came out so spotty, like I had walked in the rain! I swear it was because of the horrible bad tan. (I applied so many layers of Tru Bronz to try to disguise it and it did for the most part). I also despise "gradual tanners" – I don't see the point in smelling like fake tan for days on end to only see the tiniest hint of colour after about a week.
I love your post about the self tanner!!I need to try the airbrush one!!!Never tried before but heard thats better!!!
wow if you call yourself pale, that must mean I am a ghost. Sorry but I hate when people actually have color to their skin and think they are pale…they have no idea how it is to be pure white. Ugh …Im thinking of using this VS bronzer or getting airbrushed so that when I do hit the beach Im not that pale chick…
Like some of the other commenters, I also have used Jergens natural glow lotion to slowly build a tan. Even though it was supposed to do it gradually, I still felt like I got uneven coverage.
I will definitely have to check out the new VS product, my legs are looking ghostly this morning!
hey Veronika! The title of this post definitely grabbed my attention 🙂 Since I'm a redhead (and naturally pale), I can't tan, so I have always referred to self-tanners. My go-to is Loreal Sublime Glow (airbrush), which I think you reviewed previously as being a good product. I usually combine that with Jergens Natural Glow Express. I used to have an unlimited Mystic Tanning membership and by far nothing beats the results of the Mystic, it always looked really even and good!
Jennifer- Naturally, I am extremely pale. ANY color I have on my skin is left over from my vacation in Punta Cana. I can post pics of me as a teen and you'll see I am super pale!
Hey there, I would love to had some color to my legs. I have tried tanners in the past and oooo bad splotchy results. It is so $$ to have it done by a pro so I may try this Victorias Secret line. I am so pale my legs glow it is really unbecoming. I can hide it all winter because I put bronzer on my face but the summer is my issue..the one thing I would change about myself is my ability to TAN haha! Thanks for the post! Love your blog!
xoxo
KC
KC- I have a girl here in Houston who does professional spray tans for $35 which is a good rate. try to use google to find compeitive rates in your area. I only get professional tans for special events and use the self tanner in the meantime to get some color 🙂
I swear by the Bath and Body Works spray tan, I reviewed it on my blog a few times and LOVE it. I sprayed myself last Sunday and I still have a natural bronze glow (not orange) today. Since they are under the same parent company as VS (or were in the past, I haven't kept up so there could be a change) maybe it's similar to your VS line.
I used that Jergen's "natural glow" stuff and it was TERRIBLE with a capital T I had so much spotting that I ended up calling out of work one day because I was so embarrassed at what it looked like. I've also tried the Dove version and was equally sucky. So, needless to say I gave up on self tanners. As soon as I started reading this post I was excited for that product and like you, bummer – discontinued. Why do they do that?? I will try the other product and see what happens – I'd be willing to bet big time it is a case of re-branding VS is notorious for that.
Naturally, I am a very fair skinned person so I'm not as self conscious about my color as some people but I do, indeed, like the deception of being thinner that comes with the tan. I'm not opposed to tanning beds though, because I will use 'em in extreme moderation. Great post V.
Agreed – normal-short skirts look fine with tights, but a bare leg on a tall girl, can't always rock that :S
I'm bustin' out the self-tanner in preps for bare legs (which are a few weeks away for me – in Canada).
A.Co @ http://www.acoest1984.blogspot.com
The Limited is having a Friends and Family coupon starting today for 30% off your entire purchase thru Sunday. If you tell them you have a F&F coupon but forgot it at home, they should give you the discount anyway. I work part time at The Limited and I'm sure my store manager would be okay with that. Or I can send you an email if you want the actual coupon!
bailey- yes yes yes! please email it to me at [email protected]
thank you so much 🙂
Hi Veronica!!Just found you and love your posts and your blog!!!Please help!!Your hair color is soo gorgeous and seeing your post about your hair all these years I wanted to ask you a question!!What is the base color you use now?If you can please answer me!
Thank you soo much!!!
lovelyviolet- I get my hair done at a salon in Houston called Cutloose by David Tran. I am not sure exactly which colors he uses, but if you email me (veronabrit at gmail dot com) I can forward your message to him (I just don't want to put his email on here) thank you!
i love spray tans! i am way too pale without them. right now i go and spray tan with VersaSpa. it's like mystic tan and i love it. it's even and natural looking. i go about twice a week and it works fabulous!
So cute!! Love the outfit! I ran back to AT the other night and picked up that shirt in the pale pink (it's just such a pretty shade!). I'm in love with the petals on it, not to mention the adorable colors it comes in!!
I love your outfit!! SO cute. That blouse is adorable!
Random comment not related to your post…My brother is heading to the states soon (family birthday I am unable to attend because of exams), and since you are a Canadian living in the states I was hoping you could give me some ideas. I want him to pick me up hard to find/only available in America cosmetics, but I don't know where to start/what is good. Help? Please? I live in the GTA so I have decent access to a lot, but I would still like some new goodies! Any suggestions?
When you use an airbrush tanner on your body, do you use a different product on your face and neck?
Becky- YES! 🙂 I either use clarins SPF 6 tanning milk on my face OR I use the airbrush formula but I apply it with a makeup sponge over moisturizer so I can blend it out more.
Rachel- I am trying to think of a line that is not avaialble in Canada but I can't…depending on what part of the states he is going to I'd ask him to try and see if they have Illamasqua products at the sephora where he is. That's something I haven't even found in Texas yet.
Meh, I'm over trying to fight my natural complexion. For years I hit the tanning beds. I quit tanning a few years ago (at age 24) when I saw a brown spot…an age spot at 24, eek! Luckily it went away after religious sunscreen use, which I will do for the rest of my life. It scared me enough to vow never to use tanning beds again. Who knows what damage it did that I haven't discovered yet? I was so stupid.
I've tried self tanners, airbrush tans, etc. But I'm so tired of it! All the super pale celebs are starting to embrace their natural skin color and they look fab. I'm starting to accept that I am pale, and that is often more beautiful than trying to be something I'm not.
Does the self-tanner you use get very streaky? I normally do not tan much in a tanning booth (once a month maybe). During the summer I like to lay out, but I of course use sunscreen. I do not like it when girls are SUPER dark in the middle of winter (I live in SD, so it gets super cold–no way girls are tan from laying by the beach). A lot of girls up here tan all through the winter, and have a dark dark dark color all year round. I like the natural look, but I also don't want to be paper white. I just use some bronzer on my face/arms/chest area to bring a little color when I am feeling pale.
– Rebecca
rebecca- no, I do not get streaky from airbrush formulas. With lotions or gels, yes you can get streaks if you do not apply carefully.