What a coincidence!

A reader asked me yesterday about self tanning products. Oddly enough, that was going to be the subject today what with Memorial Day weekend coming up!

Lord knows there are about a zillion options out there. The question is which is the best for you? The gold standard and the originators of the self tanner is Jergens Natural Glow. They were the geniuses who simply added a hint of self tanner to some moisturizer and ta-da! A gradual tan as opposed to KABLAM! ORANGE! With this stuff, you put it on as often and as heavily as you like. When you get to the tan-ness that you want, you can alternate days- one day, use a regular lotion, the next, the Jergens. It's the same with their face moisturizer. You build it to the level/shade that you want.

Now, if you are having an "Oh crap! I have a picnic/party/some sort of event that I don't want to be pasty for" moment, then you will need essentially an "insta-tanner." Now, keep in mind that this stuff probably will wash off the next time you shower. So, basically you have to put this stuff on and let it get good a dry and then go to your event. L'Oreal makes a gel called Bronze Self- Tanning Gelee. This stuff is POTENT! The only caveat is that you have to let it dry and that can take a little while. But let me tell you- you will look like you've been at the beach for a week with this stuff.

Now, should you want to break the bank a little, Lancome makes a Flash Bronzer Self Tanning Body Gel. This stuff is full of Vitamin E and the color develops in about 30 minutes and can last up to 5 days. Beauty editors and makeup artists SWEAR by this stuff. It's like magic in a tube.

The biggest tips I can offer are these for any self-tanning:

1. Make sure that you exfoliate any area that you are going to use self tanner on so that all the dry flaky areas are smoothed away. Otherwise, you are going to have patches of darker color.

2. If you are going to self tan your legs, be sure to also PUT IT ON YOUR FEET! How cute are brown legs and white feet? Yeah, that will give away your little self-tanning secret, won't it?

3. If you are using a self tanner on your face, make sure that the makeup that you use is the right shade. Why would you have a tanned face and really light concealer? Because let me tell you how attractive that would be!

I am definitely pro self tanning. It's the only healthy tan there is and the formulas have gotten so much better over the years. No Oompa Loompas anymore!