Sunless Tanning Tools and Accessories -- Sunless.com
Sunless Tanning Tools and Accessories -- Sunless.com
The cheapest and best scrub of all is the humble cotton washcloth. Get it wet in the shower and buff yourself in a circular motion. Once or twice a week is usually sufficient to keep your skin free of flakes.
Chemical Exfoliators
A physical exfoliator removes dead skin cells through its gritty or rough texture. A chemical exfoliator encourages skin cell turnover by dissolving the dead cells. The most common chemical exfoliant is AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid. BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, is also effective.
What's important to keep in mind is that you should try only one exfoliation method at a time. Do not use a scrubbing cleanser, an AHA lotion, and a washcloth all on the same patch of skin. Not only will you be unable to determine how well the individual products are working, your skin will fall off.
A good AHA product to try is Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion . Good BHA lotions are harder to find. I've been using the one from Paula's Choice.
Gloves
To keep your hands unstained, tight fitting latex or vinyl medical supply gloves are a must. They are absolutely essential if you are applying a sunless tanner with instant color or bronzer. I've been telling everyone to pop on down to their local drugstore or pharmacy to buy them. But where the heck are they hiding them? They aren't as easy to find as I thought. Fortunately, you can buy the elusive creatures online and get them delivered to your door.
Take, for instance, Ansell Medi-Touch Powder Free Latex Disposable Gloves, size small : powder free, latex free, twenty-five pairs for $3.99. I am happy. Note: The average woman will need size small for a close fit, which is recommended.
Applicators
Under what circumstances should you use an applicator to apply a sunless tanner? This is an optional step, because you already have a perfectly decent applicator around — your hands. But if you are applying sprays or sunless tanning lotions with instant color or bronzers, an applicator can make the job faster and more even.
The most common applicator is our dear friend, the sponge on a stick. There are many sponges on a stick for sale at ridiculous prices [can you believe $10?!]. Luckily, the best one is also the most reasonable. Au Courant makes one for $1.45; get lots.
If there were a Nobel prize for cosmetic sponges, the Au Courant facial flock sponge would get it. It is the perfect device for applying sunless tanning sprays to your face and neck. Designed to be used with Au Courant's sunless tanning spray, it makes even humble generic brands look even and perfect. It is, of course, washable and re-usable.
Another option is a foam paintbrush from your neighborhood hardware store. These have the disadvantage of a shorter handle, but they are incredibly durable and usually cost less than a dollar. The foam brushes with the wooden handles are superior; avoid the ones with plastic handles, as the plastic is a low grade variety that will scratch your skin like you wouldn't believe. I purchase my foam brushes for 89 cents from Ace Hardware.
Things to wear
You can wear nothing if you want to. But, if you are new to sunless tanning, you are better off wearing something. It's difficult to judge how well a sunless tanner turned out without a "tan" line. Also, it can be overwhelming to consider applying sunless tanners absolutely everywhere the first time. Wouldn't it be more peaceful to do just your legs or something? The main thing is to wear something snug and dark in color. You want to be able to apply the sunless tanner right up to the edge without having to worry about it staining the fabric or seeping underneath. Bathing suits are best, but don't overlook generic exercise clothing from your local fitness store.
Mistake removers
If you've got orange palms, there are some products that can safely eliminate the stain. The word here is safety. Do not use anything that was not intended for use on the skin. The number one mistake remover is hydrogen peroxide. Number two is the cream hair bleach that you mix up in small quantities to bleach body or facial hair. Number three is cream hair remover. Obviously only the first of these can be used on areas with body hair. Take a look at How to Get Your Sunless Tan Off Safely and Quickly for more information on alleviating the orange palms syndrome.
Knowledge
When you start to use sunless tanners, many issues come up concerning your skin. How should you moisturize it? How should you clean it? How should you exfoliate it? It's not possible to cover all of these issues here in the detail they deserve. I've been relying on The Beauty Bible by Paula Begoun with excellent results. If you want to learn more about taking care of your skin, this is the book you need.
The cheapest and best scrub of all is the humble cotton washcloth. Get it wet in the shower and buff yourself in a circular motion. Once or twice a week is usually sufficient to keep your skin free of flakes.
Chemical Exfoliators
A physical exfoliator removes dead skin cells through its gritty or rough texture. A chemical exfoliator encourages skin cell turnover by dissolving the dead cells. The most common chemical exfoliant is AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid. BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, is also effective.
What's important to keep in mind is that you should try only one exfoliation method at a time. Do not use a scrubbing cleanser, an AHA lotion, and a washcloth all on the same patch of skin. Not only will you be unable to determine how well the individual products are working, your skin will fall off.
A good AHA product to try is Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion . Good BHA lotions are harder to find. I've been using the one from Paula's Choice.
Gloves
To keep your hands unstained, tight fitting latex or vinyl medical supply gloves are a must. They are absolutely essential if you are applying a sunless tanner with instant color or bronzer. I've been telling everyone to pop on down to their local drugstore or pharmacy to buy them. But where the heck are they hiding them? They aren't as easy to find as I thought. Fortunately, you can buy the elusive creatures online and get them delivered to your door.
Take, for instance, Ansell Medi-Touch Powder Free Latex Disposable Gloves, size small : powder free, latex free, twenty-five pairs for $3.99. I am happy. Note: The average woman will need size small for a close fit, which is recommended.
Applicators
Under what circumstances should you use an applicator to apply a sunless tanner? This is an optional step, because you already have a perfectly decent applicator around — your hands. But if you are applying sprays or sunless tanning lotions with instant color or bronzers, an applicator can make the job faster and more even.
The most common applicator is our dear friend, the sponge on a stick. There are many sponges on a stick for sale at ridiculous prices [can you believe $10?!]. Luckily, the best one is also the most reasonable. Au Courant makes one for $1.45; get lots.
If there were a Nobel prize for cosmetic sponges, the Au Courant facial flock sponge would get it. It is the perfect device for applying sunless tanning sprays to your face and neck. Designed to be used with Au Courant's sunless tanning spray, it makes even humble generic brands look even and perfect. It is, of course, washable and re-usable.
Another option is a foam paintbrush from your neighborhood hardware store. These have the disadvantage of a shorter handle, but they are incredibly durable and usually cost less than a dollar. The foam brushes with the wooden handles are superior; avoid the ones with plastic handles, as the plastic is a low grade variety that will scratch your skin like you wouldn't believe. I purchase my foam brushes for 89 cents from Ace Hardware.
Things to wear
You can wear nothing if you want to. But, if you are new to sunless tanning, you are better off wearing something. It's difficult to judge how well a sunless tanner turned out without a "tan" line. Also, it can be overwhelming to consider applying sunless tanners absolutely everywhere the first time. Wouldn't it be more peaceful to do just your legs or something? The main thing is to wear something snug and dark in color. You want to be able to apply the sunless tanner right up to the edge without having to worry about it staining the fabric or seeping underneath. Bathing suits are best, but don't overlook generic exercise clothing from your local fitness store.
Mistake removers
If you've got orange palms, there are some products that can safely eliminate the stain. The word here is safety. Do not use anything that was not intended for use on the skin. The number one mistake remover is hydrogen peroxide. Number two is the cream hair bleach that you mix up in small quantities to bleach body or facial hair. Number three is cream hair remover. Obviously only the first of these can be used on areas with body hair. Take a look at How to Get Your Sunless Tan Off Safely and Quickly for more information on alleviating the orange palms syndrome.
Knowledge
When you start to use sunless tanners, many issues come up concerning your skin. How should you moisturize it? How should you clean it? How should you exfoliate it? It's not possible to cover all of these issues here in the detail they deserve. I've been relying on The Beauty Bible by Paula Begoun with excellent results. If you want to learn more about taking care of your skin, this is the book you need.
posted by Joan~ @ 2:28 PM
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