My sun-worshipping, baby-oiling, SPF 4 days are long-gone, but I try not to blind my friends and loved ones with the post-winter pastiness if I can help it.  Well, and there's also the fact that a sun-kissed glow just looks good.
A Mystic Tan is a great way to go if you want a quick, full body coat that will last up to 8 days, but if you're a DIY-er and like to try all the self-tanners out there, here are some of our favorites:



St Tropez is known for its sunless tanners, and now has a great bronzing mousse in a formula we love.  It has a light, airy feel and smells great!  Bliss has such fun packaging and truly pampering spa products that we couldn't pass up the self-tan spray...and we weren't disappointed.  The color is great and realistic, and is easily applied.  If you're not a Sephora or Ulta frequent-flyer, you can find L'Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer at most drug stores.  The Sublime line is one of the best drug store buys and gives the best color and application for the money. 
Of course, a product can only do it's best job on a well-prepped surface, ladies!  So, exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!  Whether you're applying to face or body, remove unwanted dead skin cells and hair so that the product can easily penetrate the skin and give you the color you want.  We love our products, and recommend:

We love a good scrub, so if you don't have a chargeable exfoliator such as the Clarisonic Mia, a physical body scrub, such as Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish works great and softens skin with nourishing essential oils to help your tanner sink in.  And, as always, nothing beats a good shave to remove that unwanted hair and leave a smooth surface.
So, tan-up, girls!  Let us know what your favorite tan prep strategies and no-fail self-tanning products are this season!

Sarah