As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, most women are just trying to find cute hats and gloves to keep warm. But cold weather also means those dreaded holiday parties. Why not show off a just got back from the Bahamas tan to all of your co-workers with a little help from Mystic Tan?
By Amanda Emerick
12/5/2004
Concept by Angie Mareino
I am a person who can be perpetually compared to the white color of the clouds. While normally I'd defend my paleness to the utmost degree, claiming a future free of skin cancer and premature wrinkles, I cannot seem to help myself lately—I want that glow only a suntan can provide. But hey, lately the rules have changed; the source doesn't have to be the sun. And while many find tanning beds to be the easiest and fastest alternative to actually hanging outside to catch some rays, I know that personally, because of my impatience and I am more likely to turn a not-so-subtle shade of pink instead of honey, that this method is not the best choice for me. Without going into the whole spiel regarding the safety in tanning this way, I will just say that I know I am going to need to trick Mother Nature a little more than that anyhow.
Nevertheless, those of us who aren't quite as pasty as I may choose to throw caution to the wind and utilize a tanning bed to obtain some color.. And I must admit, even though I know
it's bad for me, I'm still jealous of those who can transition from
their "winter shade" to their "summer shade" with such ease.
But enough complaining—let's get down to business and talk options for my fellow pallid people or those seeking alternative techniques to a sunny glow.
The Self Tan
From my personal experience, self-tanners are a bit of a "challenge." With most directions on self-tanners so vaguely
written, it is up to the consumer on how and where to start applying it. The first time I tried a self-tanner lotion, it was a mess.
After I applied the lotion and it dried, I looked like an orange-
striped zebra! The worst thing was it took about four to five days to completely disappear. It is just so hard to tell if you missed any areas, or applied too much. As you can see, I would not recommend self-tanners. Instead, let's talk about the new mystic tanning everyone is raging about…
The Mystic Tan
The mystic tan is a UV-free spray on tan that covers the entire body in a matter of seconds. It takes a mere four to six hours for results to appear. The tan lasts about seven to ten days. Mystic tanning is a conveniently fast tan for those who wish to become tan in a short amount of time. Solarium Tanning in Monroeville offers the mystic tan with three tanning level options to produce the best results. The fairly new Looks Tanning Salon is also located in Monroeville.
Preparation for the Mystic Tan:
Exfoliate, Shave, and Moisturize
After Mystic Tanning:
Wait four to six hours before showering or swimming
Try to avoid exfoliating until ready to tan again.
My personal experience:
It was my first time trying the mystic tan at Solarium Tanning, and I was a bit nervous and anxious. I was tanning for a Homecoming dance, so I wanted to look my best. I chose the darkest option, level three to achieve my darkest color. About five hours passed, and my tan arrived! I looked the darkest I have ever been, with no streaks or orange color. It was also convenient, because I didn't have to put that much foundation on. Now I only go mystic tanning when I want a tan.
So if you were contemplating on whether you should or shouldn't try the tanning thing, hopefully you have become more knowledgeable about the alternatives to the tanning bed. Happy tanning!
