Since moving to LA two years ago I often hear, “you’re so tan!” Which I immediately follow with, “It’s self-tanner!” I discovered bronzer in my early twenties, and religiously used Bobbi Brown’s miracle powder for years to come. Then I discovered Estee Lauder’s tanning towelettes, I used them once a week or so until they were discontinued about 3 years ago now. Devastating! I dislike most self-tanners on the market. Anything that’s a cream or foam isn’t for me, I’d rather use actual bronzer than a tanner that acts the same way (coming off on my clothes, sheets, etc). It took me a year to discover my next go-to, Look Good Naked’s Tan Towel (in face and half body applications). I’ve used these once a week since moving to LA – yes, I live in a city that prides itself on averaging 320 days of sunshine per year… but no, I don’t live outside, and I believe in sunscreen. Recently, I was introduced to Kate Somerville’s “Somerville360 Tan Towelettes”. After one use, I was converted! The perfect bronzing tan that isn’t orange (apply moderately)… this towelette is a 10.
Living in LA, I can get away with using self-tanner twice a week (NB: apply tanner at least two hours before applying makeup or leaving the house – do no use bronzer at all on these days – your skin with get darker throughout the day, sometimes as late as 6 hours later!) – for others I’d suggest once in the fall and winter, and twice in spring and summer. For in between days, trust a bronzing blush (subtle shimmer is OK, sometimes matte bronzer makes your face look dirty – try a few to find your match). I swear by Yves Saint Laurent Variation Blush, offering a pop of color that is the perfect combination of gold-bronze and rose-pink-blush.
Another great way to fight pale and pasty skin is tinted moisturizer. Almost every cosmetics line makes this efficient and effective beauty must-have. I put on Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer in the morning before my makeup. With SPF built-in, it’s great for travel.
Stay harmful-ray-free – and with these four beauty pillars – get ready for a sunless summer GLOW.
Tags: 15, 360, application, beauty, blush, Bobbi Brown, celebrity, color, colour, Estee Lauder, face, facialist, glow, Gold, half body, how often should I use self tanner?, Kate Somerville, LA, look good naked, Moisturizer, must-have, orange, Origins, Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting, pale, pasty, powder, rose, self tanner, skin, Somerville, Somerville360, SPF, summer, sunless, sunless summer glow, tan, tanned, tanning, tinted, towel, towelettes, variation, YSL, Yves Saint Laurent
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Photo c/o: http://www.buzzle.com
I consider myself a bit of a hair removal expert. I’m not overly hairy (TMI!), but like most woman – I don’t like hair anywhere other than my head. My mom had me waxing my legs as a teenager, and a decade or so… later I haven’t stopped. I’ve also spent many years shaving, using depilatories, and undergoing lazer hair removal. I’ve even had my eyebrows threaded a few times. So when I moved to Brentwood in February, it was only natural I’d seek out my new local Esthetician. In an effort to find a new waxing salon close by, I discovered “Studio Alexandria LA”. It came up on my google search for waxing, and when I called to make an appointment for my eyebrows and Brazilian, the receptionist convinced me within minutes that I NEEDED to try “sugaring“, saying I’d be impressed instantly and I’d never want to wax again… Big claim, but I was game. Surprised that I’d never heard of this popular hair removal technique, I expected something between threading and electrolysis (one of the few methods I’ve yet to try). I was wrong – sugaring is similar to waxing (a raw sugar mixture is rubbed over the skin – see above – and peeled off, taking your unwanted hair with it). It’s not pain-free, but it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as waxing. You can “sugar” any area where hair grows. And the best part is that your hair grows back soft (unlike the whiskers of shaving or waxing), and more sparingly with each treatment. It’s amazing, I’ve been converted.
Photo c/o: http://www.studioalexandriala.com
The professionals at “Studio Alexandria LA” are friendly and efficient (it’s faster than waxing), and they really go the extra mile to discuss your holistic skincare needs. Upon Ashley’s recommendation I use the “spa massage gloves” for daily exfoliation and the “mud puddle” skin mask all over my body weekly (my skin truly radiates afterwards). All products are eco-friendly and all-natural, very important to a hypo-allergenic customer like myself. Interestingly enough, Studio Alexandria President Lina Kennedy started her business in Canada before moving to LA. She teaches her method globally, and “sugaring” is available in Toronto and cities worldwide.
So even if you can’t make it to Brentwood, and you’re looking for a hair-free spring summer 2011 – wherever you live – go on, get sugared.
Tags: Alexandria, beauty, Brentwood, Canada, cities, depilatories, electrolysis, Esthetician, global, hair, hair removal, hair-free, LA, lazer, Lina Kennedy, Los Angeles, products, professional, salon, shaving, skin, skincare, studio, Studio Alexandria LA, sugared, Toronto, treatment, US, wax, waxing
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