Accessorize your skin this Spring!

With summer approaching and the colors on the runway getting brighter, it is time to put a glow to your skin and forget about the long, dreary winter months. Since we know all the harmful effects of tanning beds and prolonged sun exposure, the only safe option is self-tanner.

“Now it is easier to apply and more natural-looking than ever with new formulations and new ingredients such as cocoa found in Clarins Delicious Self Tanner,” says Kara Peterson, Clarins National Practical Training Manager for the Clarins Skin Spas. Kara gives us some at-home tips on how to turn into a bronzed goddess based on Clarins Skin Spa’s best selling body treatment: Sun Kissed Self Tanner. Being the crème de la crème of self-tanning treatments for the face and body, this 60-minute treatment includes a deeply pampering massage and long-lasting colour.

1 Prep is the first step.
Kara says prepping your skin is the most important step to creating a streak free tan. She first uses Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub to exfoliate the whole body and recommends shaving the day before your application. Be sure to concentrate your exfoliation on the body’s drier areas including elbows, knees, ankles and feet. To further prevent any uneven color you can also apply a light moisturizer over these areas before you begin.

2 Focus. Focus. Focus.
When you are ready to apply your self tanner, think about where the sun naturally hits your body. These are the parts you want to begin with and focus most of your attention on. Move to the other parts using the leftover product in your hands. For example, on the legs Kara starts in the middle of the calf muscle and then works out using a quick massage movement.

3 Correct to perfect.
Once the color fully develops and you find you have missed a spot, correct it with a tinted self-tanner, so you know where you are applying color.

4 Give me more.
If the first application doesn’t give you the results you want, Kara recommends waiting until the next day to do another coat. If you wait more than three days, exfoliate again to create a smooth surface for the tanner to glide over.