It's time for summer ready skin!  Memorial Day is just around the corner!  We all know we are supposed to stay out of the sun.  But how do we get that summer glow we all want? I have my top picks for self tanners and importantly the how to's to get your skin ready for the tanner so you have an even, flawless application.

Step 1 - Exfoliate your body.

Exfoliation is one of the most important first steps when it comes to preparing your skin for a self tanner. Dry, rough patches of skin tend to attract and hold more color than skin which is smooth and soft. Failing to exfoliate before spray tanning can result in blotchy patches of dye on your elbows, knees, and other rough areas. Use a dry brush (see below for my pick), loofah or other type of exfoliating tool to scrub your entire body. (you can go to my dry brushing tutorial here).  A body scrub with sea salt or other exfoliating products also provides the optimum results. I have linked a few scrubs as well that are non irritating but exfoliate and moisturize in one step.

Step 2 -  Shave unwanted hair.

Shave before applying the tanner.  Do not wait to do that after the application.  While excessive body hair will not impair the ability of self tanners to stick to your skin, shaving soon after putting on a self tanner can be detrimental. Shaving may cause color to flake off from your skin.  

Step 3 - Avoid These Before the Tan
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I know skin is often dry in the summer but refrain from using skin lotions and moisturizers  immediately before applying tanner as these lotions often block the tanner from sticking to your skin. The same applies to products like antiperspirant, deodorant, make-up, perfume, or powder as they too can block the adherence of the tanner to your skin, resulting in blotchy coloration.

Step 4 - Apply the Tanner.

My favorite at home tan towels are linked here and also in the pictures below.  I like these because they are large in size (read I can get my whole back by myself with these).  Also because this is not a liquid, the towels are very easy to bring when I travel.  It is also really hard to mess these up. I have found very even application when using them.  And the smell is not bad. I will never say a self tanner smells good - they just don't - even when products say they smell good.  But this one is definitely not offensive. You could easily tan and go to work without smelling like a tanning salon.  If you ever do have any self tanner streaking, I have also added the bronzing powders I use as a contouring powder but they also quickly fix any mess ups in my self tanner.

Step 4 - Wear the proper clothes 

Self tanning solutions are likely to remain damp for awhile after you apply. If you can air day that is the best way to ensure an even application that does not get on your clothes.  If you cannot air dry, wear dark, lightweight, loose clothing so there is no staining of your clothes.  

Step 5 - Protect to Tan.

Don't sweat within the first 8 hours of applying the tanner.  Otherwise you may have streaking.  Also, after tanning, avoid lotions, creams, deodorant, or other personal hygiene items that could interfere with the tan adhering to the skin.  
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My picks below for all the products to get you from Snow White to Bronzed Goddess.  Just click on the pictures to be taken directly to the products.  Use arrows to scroll among products.

Can't wait to see you bronzed beauties at the beach!

Pictures courtesy of Pinterest. 

Hair! It takes so long to do all the time! What can we do to shorten the routine?  I say air dry! No blow drying, no straight irons, no curlers.  You know this will give your hair the rest it needs too from all the heating elements we use every day. Hallelujah!  

But can we make it look done - even without these tools? I say yes!  You still need a few products and brushes but I this will really be a fun way to style summer hair in an effortless, breezy look and allow some hair healing time!  Here are the steps for straight or slightly wavy hair (what I am working with!)..

Brush and Volumize

• On clean, wet hair, apply leave-in conditioner from mid-shaft to ends.  If you have really fine hair you may not want to do leave in condition because it can weigh down your locks. I opt not to do this step but I know it helps for thicker hair.
• Detangle with a wide-tooth comb.
• For added volume, flip your hair over and comb it off the scalp. Finger-shake the sides and back.

Styling Cream and Scrunch

• Warm a styling cream in your hands (products below) and rake it through your hair from scalp to ends. 
• Finger-shake the sides and back of your hair again.
• Scrunch your hair in an upward motion all over.

Twirl and Mist (and Lift)

• To add texture, twirl a two- to three-inch strand around your finger—it doesn’t have to be smooth. 
• Mist all your hair with a wave or texture spray. 
• Let hair air dry.
• (You can also twist and twirl hair into 3 inch section buns and sleep on them. See my picture below.   When you wake up, go to the next step - this works well if your hair is on the straighter side)

Scrunch and Arrange

• When dried, scrunch in an upward motion. Don't pull hair down (it keeps your body and bounce).
• Separate waves with your fingers. You can also shake them out.  Yes time to look like a pantene commercial.

Finish

• Spray all over with hair hairspray for staying power or oil on the ends to add shine and tame flyaways.  Don't add too much oil though because it will weigh down your hair.

And now to the products! Below are some of the products I like to use when air drying my hair. There are literally products made exactly for air drying! Really! Remember I have fine hair so I need volumizers and I live in humidity so I need lots of hair spray to beat the heat in Texas.  Just click on the pictures to be taken to my go-to products. Use arrows to scroll right and left for more products!

#airhair

My mother is one of the most important people in the world to me! So when it comes to mother's day gifts, they better be good. I put together some of my beauty picks just in time to get something special for all the amazing moms out there.

La Mer Kit - you know I am a lover of all things La Mer.  It works and it is so lush. I have found a great, new La Mer kit to make mom look and feel amazing.  It is $290 but a $418 value! It includes an eye cream, the concentrate serum and the moisturizing cream.  The Eye Concentrate is a deeply conditioning cream formulated with hematite, a magnetically charged mineral, to help dramatically dissolve the appearance of dark circles, surface discoloration and unevenness. The Concentrate is a savior of the skin that complements its natural healing process with the restorative power of the sea kelp. The Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream is rejuvenating and renewing even the driest complexions.

YSL Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Set - Everything YSL is luxurious and this set is no different.  Plus, the price is so right - it's on sale for $120 (regularly $134) and is a $192 value! Yes!  It includes a 3 oz spray and a 1 oz travel size perfume.  This fragrance gives a warm, floral notes that mom will love.  And the packaging and bottles will not disappoint.  They are beautiful!

Lilac Fleur Footies - these slippers are amazing! I have never seen anything like them. They are relaxing, spa-like slippers with lavender and flaxseed inserts. The insert can be warmed or chilled to relax sore, achy feet and improve circulation. For even more healing, apply lotion prior to wearing. There is also a great spa mask you could include.  The slipper are just $38 and mask $22.

I added a few more of my mother's beauty picks in the products listed below (all under $50!). Just click on the pictures to be taken directly to these beautiful, mom-worthy products!

I have really fallen for the new Origins, a Perfect World products. They are so lightweight for my sensitive skin but also really powerful. This youth-protecting collection is infused with antioxidant-rich White Tea to help ward off free radical damage and prevent premature signs of aging.

The reviews on these products speak for themselves - many with 4+ star reviews. But, I wanted to highlight a few of the reasons why I like this line.  Before I give my review I wanted to remind you about my skin issues. As a 40 year old woman, I am definitely fighting fine lines and wrinkles. I also have sensitive skin that easily breaks out so I need gentle, yet powerful products.  

First, I wanted to talk about the Treatment lotion. This is the first step after using the cleansing cream. I really like this super lightweight treatment because it is oil and alcohol free so it is not drying.  It leaves my skin soft and prepares my skin for my serums, moisturizers and makeup.

Second, I love the eye cream. I had never thought of this before but none of my other eye treatments have SPF in them.  But this one does!  We all know how important spf is to apply every day to our facial skin - but let's stop forgetting our eyes! They need protection too! My eyes are very sensitive to creams but I have not had any flaking or irritation with this cream. Just great brightening and hydration and sun protection.

Lastly, I have to give a shout out to the age defense cream.  It feels and smells amazing.  The anti-oxidant rich white tea makes this really powerful at fighting signs of aging.  It is lightweight and easily absorbed.  And it is perfect to smooth my skin before my moisturizers and makeup.  You can use this day and night to fight aging 24/7. 

To get these products, just click on the pictures below for the product you want. You can use the arrows to see all the products in this Perfect World line.  While the world may not be perfect, these products help our skin get there!  Special thanks to to Origins and the #PreenmeVIP program for sponsoring this post.