I am a huge fan of the Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial soaps. Seriously, if you have to keep as clean as can be, the soaps might as well smell pretty, no?

While I was in B & BW yesterday to stock up on my soaps, I noticed something new that many of you might be interested in. They have added a new product to their most popular scents in their Signature Collection. It is  called Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion. Formulated to give you an instant sun-kissed radiance, along with a gradual self tanner built right in, mixed with their most popular scents - beautiful.

In taking a smell of the Japanese Cherry Blossom tube, it smelled just like the original scent. I wonder how well it covers up the starchy dha scent when activated on the skin. I imagine that it does a nice job, as only a few of the gradual self-tanners have a really awful smell (hello - Jergens Natural Glow!).

I struggled with the idea of picking up a tube for myself, but I think I am pretty well stocked up on self-tanners for the season, hopefully. But I did grab a tube for my sister. Hopefully I can get it over to her soon and she will give it a try and report back here or maybe over on The Fragrance Fanatic. 

Right now I see Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion in just 6 scents: Cherry Blossom, Japanese Cherry Blossom, Wild Honeysuckle, Enchanted Orchid, Sea Island Cotton and Sweet Pea. Maybe they are just testing it out to see how well it does. I am wishing for it in a more Summer-y scent like Creamy Coconut or Strawberry Lemonade.

The 6 oz. tube is $14, available at Bath and Body Works stores and online, of course. 

Looking at my pasty white legs while thinking of my upcoming trip to Florida next month, I am wondering if it is too early to start self-tanning.

Normally, I would start the self-tanning process just a few days before heading South, but I think I might start with some really gradual tanners and get some color going on. Plus I need to scrub away all the flakes and dryness that has built up over this harsh, dry winter. Come to think of it, the process might take a little longer than I am thinking.

Help!

Is it too early to start self-tanning for the season? It is March, and we do "spring" ahead this weekend.

Let me know what you think in the comments.
 

I think that Cameron Diaz is absolutely darling. And she looked beautiful at the Academy Awards last night - with one exception. Her tan lines! Someone needs to tell Cameron about the wonders of self-tanners and bronzers.

With so many bronzers, temporary tanners and long-lasting self-tanners, there was just no excuse for this fashion faux paus. 

Some easy remedies to blend in tan lines:
Bronzers
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer - $42
Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer - $28
CARGO Bronzer - $25

Instant/Temporary Tanners
LORAC TANtalizer Body Bronzer - $30
Benefit Cosmetics Jiffy Tan - $24
Sephora Super Sheen Bronzing Mist - $12

Self-Tanners
ModelCo Tan Airbrush in a Can -  $36
Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel - $30
Xen Tan Mist Intense - $29

At long last Cameron blend, blend, and blend some more!  Those tan lines can really be blended away in very little time.

Like the title says, this is no ordinary Bronzer. Why, it is GlowFusion Micro-Tech Intuitive Active Bronzer - so it cannot be ordinary.

Fusion Beauty's products, particularly those of Glow Fusion, always perplex me. There is just so much science behind their products, that I sometimes wonder - is it hype? Or are these so called "revolutionary" products really different?

Fusion Beauty's GlowFusion Bronzer is formulated with their M-Tox - a special blend of naturally derived ingredients that hinder muscle movement.  M-Tox. Is it the naturally derived alternative to Botox? Well, that should be a post in itself, so excuse my question.

"This featherweight pressed bronzer creates a gorgeous glow while softly restoring your youthful lit-from-within radiance. Invisiskin delivers additional antioxidant botanicals including rice bran and honey extract into the skin and keeps skin hydrated and protected for up to 24 hours, while a soft focus effect imparts a creamy texture and diffuses light to soften imperfections. It targets the expression lines while inhibiting muscle contractions to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and rejuvenates your youthful radiance while protecting your skin from free radicals that expedite premature aging."

I just find it interesting that a blend of ingredients such as M-Tox be used in a makeup product. I do agree that the colors look pretty, and that this bronzer isavailable in three shades: Golden, Luminous, and Sunshine. Each bronzer retails for a hefty price tag of $39.

Are you a Fusion Beauty believer? And if you have used this, what are your results with GlowFusion Bronzer?

Self-Tanning season is here. You do avoid the sun at all costs, or cover up, or slather on that SPF, now don't you? And when you are looking to get that golden bronze glow, you self-tan...right?

I received some great self-tanning tips from New York City's SAVA Spas' owner Joanna Czech. This celebrated esthetician offers her self tanning Do's and Don'ts to achieve the perfect tan - the safe way!

DO
- Exfoliate Entire Body First concentrating on ankles, toes, fingers, elbows & knees
      Czech recommends: Nuxe Foaming Scrub
- Dry off completely
- Apply a small amount of product to avoid streaking. (Better to reapply than to over apply)
     Czech recommends: Lancome Flash Bronzer for the Body and Babor Self Tanning Lotion for the Body
- After applying to the sensitive areas (ankles, toes, fingers etc…), lightly brush over with a towel to remove excess product.
 - For the face, use a self tanner that is made for the face (Face products tend to have a lighter texture than ones for the body)
     Czech recommends: Babor Self Tanning Cream for the Face
- Wear loose, dark clothing afterwards

***Incase you mess up, have a tint remover for hair accessible (you can purchase in a beauty
supply store), they work well for quick removal
***If tanning for a certain event (ie. wedding, vacation, etc.), plan your tanning schedule
backwards from that date to be sure your sun-kissed look will be perfected in time!

DON’T
- Don’t wait for the day before a big event to try self tanning. Each person reacts differently and turns a different color
- Avoid exfoliating with scrubs that contain essential oils as they may leave a film on skin.
- Don’t mix lotion with your self-tanner
- Don’t forget your ears
- Don’t exfoliate for 1 week after applying
- Don’t workout the day of application
- Don’t shower 6-8 hours after applying 

SAVA Spa regularly treats celebrities like Kyra Sedgwick, Uma Thurman, Sting, and more. SAVA Spa is located at 211 Pinehurst Ave.  New York, New York. If you are in the city or visiting soon and want to make a Spa visit part of your trip, call 212-543-0008 to book one of the fabulous treatments they offer.

So I have previously written about the pricey Fusion Beauty's GlowFusion Airglow for $175.  Seeing as I did not have the best of luck with the GlowFusion lotion, I though I would recommend my GlowFusion alternative.

ModelCo Tan Airbrush In A Can  is my alternative of choice.  With a 360-degree nozzle spraying the finest of mist to cover every body area evenly, this self-tanner is the closest to GlowFusion - but with better results, for me anyway.

The Coverage: Great! The mist sprays out very fine, and if you take your time and spray slowly, you get very even coverage. I recommend buying the tinted version first to get a feel of how the spray works. Areas like the back of arms and legs, even the neck are easy to reach with this spray. I like this best for my neck, back, chest and arms. Hands are a breeze with this formula. All you do is keep your fingers closed tightly to avoid staining the palms, and spray lightly a bit further from your hands than you would normally spray your body, and you get a very light coverage. With you hands, remember that less is more!

The Smell: Very slight. When initially spraying the formula, you smell a scent of cocoa butter in the air. It is very light and fresh. The smell of DHA is ever so faint, and really doesn't appear until the color is fully developed in 3 - 4 hours.

Drying Time: Fast! If sprayed correctly, this self-tanner dries within 2 - 3 minutes. If you are spraying so much that you see your body wet, you are spraying too much.

Staining: The translucent formula does not stain or transfer anywhere. You can dress as soon as you are dry or slip right into white sheets and not worry. The original formula that leaves color when sprayed, will leave a residue on everything it touches as you spray. I spray it in an area of my basement with old sheets on the floor. Do not spray this version in the bathroom as you will notice a build-up of colored dust that is a real pain to clean. When using the colored formula, wait a good 15 - 20 minutes before dressing or slipping between the sheets.

Lasting Time: 5 - 7 days! REALLY, I spray myself with this once a week. Sometimes I will apply it after 5 days if I want to darken up a little more, but plan on a full body spray at least once a week.

Price: ModelCo Tan Airbrush In A Can comes in three sizes, 1.7 oz (good for 1 - 2 complete body sprays) for $7, 5.3 oz for $28, or 7.8 oz for $36.  ModelCo Tan Translucent Airbrush In A Can  comes in just one 5.3 oz size for $28.

I discovered Xen-Tan last year, and I have been hooked ever since.

Xen-Tan is a line up of premium sunless tanners. Their line offers something from gradual, no tinted tanning cream, tinted sprays and lotions, mousse, and even bronzer for the fairest to the darkest of skin tones. Xen-Tan really has something for everyone.

I am always amazed at how well the self-tan from Xen-Tan lasts. It fades naturally with no freckled appearance, as none of their tanners contain mineral oil and the pH of the products are balanced in a way to give a natural looking glow that fades naturally and evenly - which is very important for us self-tanning addicts.  The tinted based products have color that is so believable, as it goes on an olive tan, instead of an orange or bronze glow. It looks so natural, that you can simply apply, dry, and go. And the smell is the best cherry-almond blend you have ever whiffed.

You must look at their website to get a full taste of all of their products, but here are my favorites that I use on a regular basis in my self-tanning routines.

Xen-Tan Dark Mist, $29 - This is a tinted non-aerosol spray, in a pump. I like to spray it on a sponge like the one they offer on the website, and then apply where needed. It dries quick, so you have to blend it well and fast, but the color is amazing, and it is a cinch to use on the hands.

Xen-Tan Tan Extender, For Light Tanning, $28 - This is a non-tinted (white in color) cream, that I use on my chest and neck a few times a week. The resulting color is very natural for me, not too dark or golden, just a natural looking light brown suntan. I also use it on my legs probably once a week, as an additional product to my regular leg self-tanner (Lancome Flash Bronzer) to keep my legs moisturized while still looking like I have a deep tan.

Are you a Xen-Tanner?
 

If you are not too busy this Saturday, June 2nd, you might want to tune into QVC to watch Maureen Kelly, creator of Tarte Cosmetics. She will be on at 3:00 AM EST (maybe you should Tivo this one!) for two 8 minute segments, and again at 2:00 PM EST for another 8 minute segment.

I can't wait to see Maureen launch a new QVC-tarte exclusive product, Sweet Cheeks: Cheek Stain Set and their new all natural self-tanner, Sunburst Body! Sweet Cheeks will debut at $25 and Sunburst Body at $35.

If you are looking for a nice, build able self-tanner for you body, then you should definitely check out Sunburst Body. I have used this moisturizing self-tanner on my legs and I really like the results. To use, I squeeze out about a quarter sized amount, and rub the lotion together in my hands until the beads burst. I then apply Sunburst Body just like a lotion, but more carefully over my feet, ankles, and knees, of course. Using the color as I guide, I use this amount for each leg. After washing off, the long term self-tanner color results are gradual, but have turned my legs a beautiful golden brown in about a week.