Self Tanner

Now that the weather is slightly warming up, we all want to be bronze and beautiful, don't we?  I usually go for the natural tan look by laying out in the summer (tsk, tsk).  The only part of my body that I don't tan outside is my face.  I definitely do everything I can to prevent environmental aging-especially from the sun.  Why do I care so much about protecting my face from the sun but I don't give a damn about my body?  I'm not sure...I guess it's because I know you see a face first.  Anyways, I used this self-tanner by Clarins a few times last year, but never kept with it.  I've decided to give it another go as the weather is giving me the inspiration to do it.

Now just be warned, it lives up to its name!  The product is the Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint by Clarins.  It retails for $34 at Sephora.  One use of this will make you at least 2 shades darker.  Oh yes, it's true.  I would recommend this for any skintone except very fair-fair. It may be too much for light skin tones.

Normally, I ONLY use Oil-Free products, but I really love the color payoff of this product.  It's a true bronze.  Not orange or red.  It has just the right amount of that perfect vacation color.  This product contains castor oil.  I'm not sure if it will break me out, but I will say that today I noticed a small something forming on my chin after using this twice.  Coincidence?  We shall see.  The pic below shows how non-orange this self-tanner is. It has an olive-y tint to make it more natural on the skin.  Make sure to wash your hands right away because this stuff does stain easily.  

I love the color of this product.

My process:
-Lightly moisturize entire face
-Shake bottle
-Put small amount of product on cotton ball
-Sweep the cotton over your face as you would with a toner
-Go down your neck (and chest if you would like)
-Use a clean cotton ball to blend any excess product around your hairline, brows, lips-I hate that dark self-tanner line that can form around the lips from not blending it all the way.
-Let it dry for a few moments

Pro's:
-Dries quickly
-Excellent color
-Can be used with regular skincare routine
-You get a lot of product for the price

Con's:
-Can be messy
-Time consuming (you have to make sure the little cotton ball touches every area of your face to make it even)
-Scent (this stuff stinks like any traditional self-tanner does when it dries)

Also, be warned that you may want to wear a glove on the hand you are applying the product with. The liquid soaked through my cotton ball after I had to apply it a few times to the cotton to cover my whole face and neck.  It stained my finger a little bit, but it wasn't too bad.

What are your favorite self-tanners for the face?

Spring Nail of the Day

Guess what?!  I graduate in May!  That means all my extra time will be aimed at keeping this blog up, rather than on assignments.  What a relief.  


I saw Maegan do this look on her blog and I knew I had to do it myself.  It SCREAMS spring!  I used different shades of the colors she used, but that's the great thing about nail polish-the possibilities are truly endless!  I went over to Sephora to pick up the color Seeing Pink Elephants for the look because I have wanted it for a very long time.  I was good about holding off on the color for a while, and then I received a coupon for 15% off (code CHICWEEK).  It was meant to be.  Of course I picked up a few more things while I was out, but that will be in a haul post.  


Here is my version of the look:

I used Sephora by O.P.I. Seeing Pink Elephants and Ulta's Vintage Violet.  I got the Ulta polish free several months ago with my rewards points.  I had never used it until today so I'm not sure how long it will wear, but you can't beat free!   The Sephora color is so pretty, I love the shade of pink, not too light, not too bright either.  I can't believe they sell for $9.50, but the coupon helped me justify the purchase. 


I really like this whole color blocking thing with nail polishes, I'll be on the lookout for more combinations soon!