Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream.

It looks a bit like whipped chocolate pudding. And even smells a bit like cocoa - probably because this self tanning cream is made with cocoa, the richest part of cocoa butter. Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream smells good enough to eat - but I caution you not to (eat it, that is).

I urge you to spread this luxurious cream over your body - wherever you want a deep rich, glorious golden tan. This beauty is perfect for the legs. My legs are finally looking how I like them to look faux-tanned.

This delicious cream moisturizes as it glides across your skin, while leaving it super soft. The instant color is gorgeous too, one that you can apply and then go out of the house with - after waiting about ten minutes for it to completely dry, that is. I so love the fact that I only need to re-apply this cream every week - five days if I really want to amp it up. Of course, the darker you want to go, you could apply as often as you wish - but it is not necessary. Really, this self tanner lasts, and fades very naturally. No one will ever know that you go faux!

Check this out at your Clarins counter, and stock up. I will be, as this has now moved others out of it's way to become a mainstay on my self-tanner shelf.

More Love for Xen-Tan.

I love, love, love Xen-Tan and am constantly sharing my love for this holy grail line of self-tanners. I recently turned my sister onto this fabulous self-tanner, and here is her guest post on her new found love for Xen-Tan!

Guest post by Cindi Roberge of The Fragrance Fanatic -

I am an avid user of self-tanners and have found the best and I mean the best self-tanner on the market today.  XEN-TAN will not disappoint! 

XEN-TAN has a new patented time-released ingredient that makes tanning more gradual as it is slowly released over time. This helps create a more even, streak-free tan. Without the icky smell too - and thatis worth writing about.

XEN-TAN for face has a nice smell, an orange like creamsicle scent.  It gradually tans your face over the course of the day/evening.  Just to be aware, that you still need to use an SPF sunscreen after applying the XEN-TAN since it does not have SPF in it.

XEN-TAN for BODY is called Transform and it smells like chocolate!  As I was applying it, I almost licked myself since it smelled so good!  Even as the tan gradually develops over the day/evening, the sweet smell is still there.   Be aware, that if you plan to sleep with it on, make sure you wear dark colored jammies to protect your sheets.

 

Happy safe tanning!
 

Aqua Tan.

A new brand of self-tanner that I was introduced to this year has quickly become one of my favorites. Since Clarins did away with my favorite body milk - discontinued YEARS ago - I had yet to find another milk that was so smooth. Until now. Aqua Tan Self Tanning Milk is what I have been looking for.

 

Not only does the Self Tanning Milk smoothe on and absorb quickly, it is enriched with some good for you ingredients. DHA, not matter how much I love it for it's faux-tan abilities, really dries out the skin. So ingredients that work with the DHA, not play with the pH balance of it, while being gentle and keeping the moisture in, is what is really make me love this even more.

This self-tanner is enriched with White Tea, Cucumber and Green Tea Extracts, along with it's exclusive Sacred Spring Water. The scent is nice and light - fresh almost. It does not mask the DHA smell, but rather blends with it. Really, the DHA smell is so faint and practically vanishes as the milk dries. It does take a good ten to fifteen minutes to feel totally dry (because it is so moisturizing) after applying, so take time before dressing. But once dried, there is no need to worry about staining.

Every time I have used this I have been blessed with a beautiful, streak free tan. Not a deep dark tan, but after six hours, I get a very natural looking color. Not too golden or not too olive. It is actually a perfect color for me. Though I only use this on my legs, I would not hesitate to use it anywhere else on my body, that is, if I were not such a fanatic about my other self-tanning products that work so well for me on my arms, chest or face.

I have only found this readily available online, so your best bet is to shop their site. And if you are tempted to buy anything else form the line, try the Gentle Purifying Gelee, to use in the shower or bath prior to application - it leaves my skin smooth with no harsh abrasives. 

Kiehl's Summer Sun Protection & Book Exchange.

This summer, Kiehl’s Since 1851 helps its customers stock up on more than just sun care— they are going to keep them stocked in summer beach reads! What a great idea.

From June 24 through Labor Day, customers can visit their nearest Kiehl’s freestanding store, drop off a well-read favorite and pick up a new title. Also, customers who purchase a Kiehl’s sun preparation will also receive a Limited Edition “Safer Fun in the Sun” bookmark, to further remind them of the importance of sun protection.

At Kiehl’s, they hold firm in the knowledge that the regular use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is a vital aspect of any daily skin care regimen and the key to healthy, protected skin. Kiehl's strongly recommend the consistent use of sun screens for the face, eye area and body on a daily basis throughout the year, even on cloudy, seemingly “sunless” days. Because summer days are the longest of the year, and there’s greater interest on outdoor activities, it’s even more important that the face and body be fully protected.

 

Here is a list of the sun protection products in the Kiehl's line up. 

• UV Protective Everyday Facial Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 15 uses Mexoryl SX to offer the face broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection from the sun.
• UV Protective Suncare Sunscreen Cream For Face and Body SPF 20 also uses Mexoryl SX for broad-spectrum protection; water-resistant after 40 minutes of water activity.
• Vital Sun Protection offers very waterproof formulas with specific products for children’s sensitive skin.
• Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 features lightweight color coverage with SPF protection, perfect for every day.
• Facial Fuel SPF 15 -daily SPF protection, formulated with men in mind.
• Lip Balm SPF 15 -available clear, and in tinted formulas.

And, if you MUST wear a tan:

Sun-Free Self Tanning Formula -lightweight formula dries in 1 hour. (Still wear your sunscreen!)

My skin is so picky with sun screens, so I usually stick to what I know does not cause me to break into the hives. As I have found that Mexoryl SX work well for me with no adverse reactions, I look forward to trying out the face and body formulas.

"plan you summer spa vacation on spas of america"

MAC Skinsheen Leg Spray.

Having to a wear a dress and having super white legs that have not lived up to a normal faux-tan routine do not qual pretty. Or anything remotely pretty. So when I had to get dressed up this week, I knew I needed to find something that would work on my legs - pronto.

I have used some other cream formulas in the past and really like LORAC TANtalizer and Benefit's Jiffy Tube, but as I love spray on products, I figured I would give MAC's Skinsheen Leg Spray.

Well, the spray on part was different than what I expected. It is an aerosol, yes, but nothing that can be used as a simple spray on application. The gel-like liquid sprays out and onto legs, but needs to be blended over skin. I used my hands to spread it out evenly, and it really was not hard at all.

The look is slightly tinted and nice and glowy. It appears almost glossy right away, but it does dry down to a nice sheen. Skinsheen seemed to be completely dry in under ten minutes, but I gave it a bit more than that to make sure nothing rubbed off on my dress. And it didn't. As Skinsheen uses special polymers (with silicone) to adhere better to skin, it is important to not moisturize before using the product. Leaving legs au natural will help the product glide onto skin and adhere to it better.

I love Skinsheen as a Leg Spray and it is very worth the extra effort of rubbing it neatly over legs and waiting for it to dry. Once the product is dry, it lasts a very long time and really needs a good washing with warm water and soap to be removed. 

Remember that the end result is a sheen, not a full on fake-bake bronzer. Medium-Dark left me with a slight tint to my starch white legs, like I said, but a beautiful glow. I just tested Deep Dark and I think that will be the way to go for my legs to look more bronzed. So choose your colors wisely. If you want just a nice sheen and glowy effect, the lighter shade will probably work just fine, but if you are looking for more of a tinted bronzy color, try Dark or Deep Dark. Check out Skinsheen Leg Spray ($22.50) at MAC counters to find your perfect shade.

"plan you summer spa vacation on spas of america"