Makeup & Fashion DON'Ts for Prom- Bad Spray Tans

I will be posting a new "Prom Don't" throughout the next couple of weeks so keep checking in! My aim for these posts is to help. Disclaimer: I am not telling you what to do nor how you should look. My blog is about confidence and I strive to have all of you feel confident no matter what day or event. This post is centered around prom specifically, but it does apply to most formal events. I hope by steering you away from makeup and fashion disasters that you'll feel more confident on your big night.

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Bad Spray Tans-

Trust me when I say, I've been spray tanning for a while now. At least 5 years of my life. I'm naturally very pale and it's a big insecurity of mine. I always feel better with a little color. That being said, I've had my fair share of bad spray tans and I've tried almost all self-tanners. I can confidently say, I'm kind of an expert on tanning. Tanning naturally and in tanning bed are a BIG no-no for me. It's extremely dangerous and not worth

it in the long run, so PLEASE stick to SPF and spray tans.

I get it, getting your first spray tan is SCARY! I've been there, I know. There's a lot of stigma around it. It can turn out blotchy, streaky and even worse, ORANGE. I won't let that happen to you. However, I know that tans are usually a must for big events. They make everyone look their best- their teeth a little whiter, the arms and legs toner and their eyes stand out; however, a bad spray tan can instantly ruin your night. Here are a couple of tips to help you avoid a spray tan disaster.

HOW TO AVOID IT:

TEST: Whether you're going for a spray tan from a booth, a spray tan from a professional by hand, or a self tan, the KEY to getting the perfect tan for you is to test out different types of tans and different tanning places IN ADVANCE! Sure you might have a couple of bad tanning days but wouldn't you rather that than the day of a big event that you want to look your best at?

EXFOLIATE / SHAVE: Once you've chosen your prefered tanner and application, there a couple of steps that you have to do before you tan. Step 1: Exfoliate! Make sure that you give an extra good scrub on your joints, i.e. elbows, wrist knuckles, knees, ankles and armpits. This is really, really important and you cannot skip this step. This will assure that you don't get a blotchy or streaky tan. For exfoliating you can use a liquid exfoliator, a loofa or a hand exfoliator (my favorite). An all natural alternative is cane sugar mixed with the water from your shower. Step 2: Shave. This is pretty much self-explanatory. Shave wherever you normally do. This will act as a second exfoliant because shaving takes off extra dead skin that the tanner could stick to.

SKIP MOISTURIZER: Basically, that's all that needs to be said. Just skip moisturizer after you shower if you normally do. If you're worried that the tanner may stick to your joints then add a thin layer to the joints I already mentioned but in my opinion you don't need it. Think of moisturizer another layer between the skin and the tan that will make the tan not adhere as well. You don't want parts of you that are lighter than the rest of your body. IF YOU HAVE REALLY DRY SKIN and even after you exfoliate, you still have dry patches add a thin layer of light moisturizer to those areas and don't apply tan until it sinks into your skin.

STAY AWAY FROM WATER: Once you've gotten the tan or applied your tan you have to wait 6-8 hours, for most tans, until you can shower. That's what most tanning salons or tanning products will tell you. This doesn't only mean shower though, this is any water. Keep that in mind when you go to wash your hands or if you are planning on going out after. If it's raining, you'll get streaks. If you are planning on working out, you will sweat and you will get streaks and white patches. Just don't do anything after applying, if you want your tan to be flawless. My biggest suggestion is to get into bed and shower it off the next morning. It's the easiest and most accident proof.

JUST WAIT AND BE PATIENT.

HOW TO FIX IT:

Everyone makes mistakes and especially if it's your first time. Just like with everything, practice makes perfect, if you get any blotchy marks or streaks the next day after you rinse it off, which you shouldn't if you follow all of my steps, the easiest way to fix the mistake is to gently EXFOLIATE... again.