Sunscreen & Spray Tans

Did You Know? “High-SPF products tempt people to apply too little sunscreen and stay in the sun too long. The FDA has proposed prohibiting the sale of sunscreens with SPF values greater than 50+, calling higher SPF values “inherently misleading” “. (via)

If you follow my Instagram Stories you may be wondering why I never touched the topic of my extremely dark spray tan I got for a wedding a few weeks ago.  Eeeeeeek.  When I say I have no fear w a fake tan I mean it.  Here’s a little update on sunscreens & spray tans, because – SUMMER.

Let’s start with something we can all agree on: Sun Protection.

I think it’s pretty obvious that using some kind of sunscreen is important.  It’s 2018.  We’re smart.  We know.  Whether it be for your face, your entire body, every day, at the pool, or everywhere – sunscreen is happening.  I also think we’re learning what types of sunscreens we should be wearing & when.

I choose to wear sunscreen often, but not all the time.  I don’t know if any product is safe enough to wear all over our bodies, every single minute, of every day.  But I try to be conscious & cautious by picking out better sunscreens & knowing when to wear them.

4 Ways I Wear Sunscreen:

1. My Face, Daily:  I have sunscreen either in my makeup or in my moisturizer.  I use one of the two every single morning.  If I need a refresher in the middle of the day I use my travel size spray sunscreen, either way – there’s sunscreen on my face pretty much at all times.
2. Workouts:  I thought I was avoiding the sun while working out, because I try to stick to shade, but started to notice fucking tan lines.  Tan lines have been non-existent since I discovered a fake tan, so I’m passionate about sunscreen for workouts now.  The easiest way for me to do this is with a sunscreen spray.  That way I know I’m not missing a spot & can protect any skin showing – back, arms, face, neck, ears, chest. I keep a sunscreen spray in my workout bag & apply before I start.  You’re going to shower after your workout, so why not go heavy w the sunscreen.
3. Pool:  This is kind of a joke because I don’t sit in the sun, but it happens occasionally.  Since I became smart, I avoid the sun at all costs.  I’m the one in the shade.  For those rare occasions I’m in the pool swimming around or doing a lake activity you can be 100% certain I have waterproof spray sunscreen all over my body.
4. Driving:  I started carrying travel size spray sunscreen in my purse because I noticed my hands are always baking in the sun while I drive, so I started spraying or using the sunscreen moisturizer when I notice the situation happening.  Not just hands, even neck & side of my arms.

A Few Safe Sun Tips:

• Try the travel size spray sunscreens!  Keep it in your purse or backpack so you’ll always have it with you.  Even if you actively try to stay out of the sun, it doesn’t always happen, so be prepared.
• Makeup With Sunscreen!  This is a must for your morning routines.  If your favorite face product doesn’t have sunscreen in it, get a moisturizer that does.  I’m trying the BeautyCounter Facial Moisturizer right now, it’s perfect! I’m going to do a whole review post on my BeautyCounter order soon! Also, don’t forget your neck!
• Wear A Hat & Big Sunglasses!  Because how easy?  And it covers all your precious face skin without any product.  I’ve been really into hats recently, but I have a huge head so they’re hard to find – but the goal is always in mind.
• Avoid the Sun!  This is the truth. “Rates of melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – have tripled over the past 35 years. Most scientists and public health agencies – including the Food and Drug Administration itself – have found little evidence that the use of sunscreens in isolation, from other sun protective measures, prevents most types of skin cancer.” (via)  That’s some eye opening shit, so I actively try to wear clothing that covers my chest/arms.   Or I stick to shade.
• Fake the Bake! Not only are you avoiding long, boring, wasted hours in the sun – faking it is so much easier.

Sunscreen & Spray Tan Products:

• SuperGoop! Forever Young Body Butter SPF 40:  If I’m not wearing makeup with sunscreen in it, or if I’m going bare face – I use this moisturizer.  It soaks into the skin quickly & you don’t even know it’s there.  I also throw it in my purse if I’m out for the day because it works as a good hand/arm/leg moisturizer too.
• SuperGoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50: Because spraying is the EASIEST way to get the job done.  I have the travel size of this bad boy & literally leave it in my purse at all times.  There’s no excuses & the product lasts forever. One thing worth noting, it’s not exactly refreshing like my beloved rose mist spray, but it does it’s SPF job.
• BeautyCounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30:  My holy grail for workouts or “pool” days.  I’ve been hounding BeautyCounter for awhile waiting for the spray sunscreens & they delivered.  This year I decided to make sure the sunscreens I’m using aren’t worse for me than the actual sun, you guys will like this one – highly recommend.
• BeautyCounter Dew Skin Moisturizing Coverage:  I’ve recently started using this & LOVE IT.  There’s very little color but it does the trick when you want to go basically bare face.  I love how the product soaks in & doesn’t slide around my face, making it easy!  I have to order a darker color for my fake tan days.  I’ll review this & my other BeautyCounter products in a post to come.
• Replenix Antioxidant Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 50:  I used to use this product everyday.  Very similar to the BeautyCounter Face Moisturizer, but has a dewy finish.
• Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse:  I’m sure there are millions of awesome products you can use to get a fake tan but this product has been my holy grail for YEARS! I can always depend on it & I know what it’s going to do.

I’ve already done an entire post on fake tanning, go check it out (here).  But I’ll do a little update for you guys since it’s the beginning of summer & you may need the inspo.

Like I’ve established, I have no fear when it comes to a spray tan.  The darker the better.  I’ll try it.  For those of you that saw, I got an airbrush spray tan in Charlottesville for a wedding & I was so friggen dark you guys I scared myself.  I had to go out that night looking extreme.  I mean this in the most politically correct way, but I was worried people would be offended thinking I was attempting some sort of “black face” situation.  & I’m not joking.   

But that shouldn’t scare you, and here’s why.  I asked for the DARKEST, BADDEST, BOLDEST, spray tan they have.  You absolutely don’t have to do that, I was trying to look like I just got off a beach in Mexico that I’ve been at for 15 years.  When you first get an airbrush or do a fake tan yourself, there’s a bronzer guide that is applied immediately with the product BUT will wash off whenever you shower (a few hrs later).  This guide is used to make sure you don’t miss any spots.  Typically, I do my fake tan right before I sleep, and shower right when I wake up – so I never see the bronzer guide.  Because I did this airbrush in the afternoon, the bronzer guide that was over the actual spray tan was left on my skin, which started out fine… BUT as the night went on & my actual spray tan started to show color, it made me look DARK.  Once I showered, it was totally fine.  Better than fine, I was really fucking bronzed & I loved it.    The entire time I was getting darker & darker, I was certain it was the guide over the actual tan, but a wee bit embarrassed to be in public that way. ha!

I’m telling you this story because a fake tan shouldn’t freak you out, AT ALL.  And you should totally, 100% consider it.  I saw these baby fresh white bodies out by the pool tanning the first day we hit 70 degrees & I wanted to cry.  WHYYY?!?!  Trust me, I also want a tan. I look thinner, I feel more confident – but there’s totally other ways to do it.  Fast ways!

And if you’re concerned about the fading of a fake tan, I got you.  My airbrush tan came off horribly, I’ll be honest.  It was a patchy battle.  But that’s because I’m so used to my at-home fake tans which easily fade away with a little exfoliating.  So if that’s what you’re afraid of, go for the at-home tanning routine first.

I say, have no fear!  I get comments sometimes on how tan I look through my Instagram Stories, and I always snicker thinking it’s my best kept secret.  Nope, haven’t been baking in the 115 degree sun for hours, just did my 15 min fake tan last night 😉

Alrighty, tell me – Sun or Shade??  If you have any questions about the sunscreen & fake tan life – let me know!  I’ve been doing it forever.

Happy Summer!

Be thoughtful

Xx

++ All about my at-home fake tan routine: here

++ My cousin sells for BeautyCounter & is a big believer in their mission.  Follow & get in touch with her: here

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