The Proper Application of Self-Tanner: Not So Self-Evident

Women for years have bemoaned the use of self-tanner. What happened to the good old days of beach blanket bingo, when spending all day (sans sun-block) at a beach filled with frolicking youngsters was considered hip? These days, nobody wants to risk the horrors of skin cancer by sitting outside to achieve a sun-kissed glow. And apparently tanning beds are just as bad. And yet, contemplating the sticky, streaky mess of self-tanners is almost a deal-breaker. But you don’t want to spend the winter months looking pasty and pale simply because you are loathe to lotion up. Thankfully, there is a proper way to apply self-tanners so that you don’t end up orange or striped like a brown-and-white zebra. If you follow a few simple tips and tricks, you can come out with a perfect and flawless tan every time.

1.       Exfoliate and moisturize. This is an absolute must for self-tanning that most people skip. Of course, you don’t want your skin to be raw (or conversely, slathered in oil) when you start your application, so begin the process a few days prior with a regimen of gentle exfoliation and use of moisturizer. Leave off with exfoliating a couple of days prior to tanning, and be sure to shower (but ditch the moisturizer) on the morning you plan to apply.

2.       Skip shaving. Your razor is made for hair removal, but it can also slough off some of your top layer of skin (leading to an uneven surface). For this reason, it is probably best to avoid shaving for a day or two before you use self-tanner. You may also want to wait for a day afterwards since it can limit the life of your tan.

3.       Opt for lotion. Foams and sprays can dry too quickly, leaving you with little time to even out the application. If you go for a lotion instead, you’ll have plenty of time to rub it in and ensure even coverage. You can even find self-tanning lotions that start light and build up with every application, so if you notice that you skimped in one area, you can apply a little extra there the following day.

4.       Know your natural color. One of the most awful effects of using self-tanner is the penchant to pick the wrong color. We’ve all seen those women who look like they’re trying to do an Al Jolson impersonation and it isn’t pretty. So it pays to figure out what your natural skin tone is before you start so you don’t wind up looking like an oompa-loompa or a contestant at body-building competition.

5.       Touch up with wipes and a loofah. Two problems that many self-tanners encounter are light and dark spots. If you find, after the fact, that you’ve gone a little light on your application in some places, try out some tanning towelettes (like those made by L'Oreal Paris) to dab a little extra sunless tan where you need it. If, on the other hand, you come across the common problem of knees, elbows, and ankles that are a shade darker than the rest of your skin, a little scrub with the loofah should fade this tanning blunder.

Byline:

Carol Montrose is a writer for a t shirt screen printing company. If you’re looking to create your own custom clothing, take a look at the selection that T Shirt Printing has to offer.

Highly Effective Indian Home remedies For Delayed Periods

Delayed periods or Irregular menstrual periods have become very common these days for a lot of women in their reproductive age and they suffer great agonies when their period does not come on time. A delay of 4-5 days may be fine but if it exceeds 8 days, then it's certainly a cause for concern. In this post, I'll be sharing highly effective Indian home remedies for your delayed periods . I'd been a long sufferer of irregular periods during my teenage to early twenties. I've tried most of the recipes here, along with Kapalabhati pranayama, yoga poses, mudras and other lifestyle habits. Now my periods are extremely regular like clockwork; not a day less or more than 28. When I look back, I'm surprised how I managed those years of anxiety and fear about my late periods.

The ache of acne (pimples)

Acne is often the bane of a pretty face. It is painful more emotionally than physically, for the scar that it leaves behind can last for a lifetime, adding to one’s miserable look & feeling. No doubt many expensive skin care clinics have mushroomed in ever nook & corner, offering to clear all the scars & blemishes on the face, but they are very expensive & charge exorbitant price for each sitting; not everyone can afford them. So why not try out this simple skin care regimen to minimize the damage caused by acne & as far as possible prevent its eruption.

Aspirin for acne-prone skin

Aspirin has been around for a long time and its health benefits are wide and varied. Aspirin , or acetylsalicylic acid is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains , as an antipyretic to reduce fever , and as an anti-inflammatory medication. Aspirin's greatest benefit is reducing cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. According to the American Heart Assoc. virtually all women are at risk of heart disease and doctors should more strongly consider prescribing a daily aspirin for their female patients. There is growing evidence to suggest regular aspirin use may reduce cancer and dementia as well. Investigators from the Women's Health Study have reported important new findings demonstrating that aspirin reduces the risk of a first stroke in women. When given to someone immediately after a heart attack, aspirin decreases death by 25%.