Spring Break is finally here! But what should you do if you forgot to hit the tanning beds? Can you still get a glow before your tropical vacation?
Let’s face it…lying outside is not an option here in Maine. We want tans, not hypothermia. There’s no room for a daily tanning regimen before your flight leaves either. Plus, you’d rather avoid the UV rays anyway. So, what now?
Don’t worry. There are a couple of simple solutions that can get you looking tan in no time! Here are some ways to get the a great look on any budget:
SUNLESS TANNING BOOTHS
Airbrush technology has come a long way. Sunless tanning booths are a quick, easy, and private way to tan up for break. Both of these methods even use anti-aging formulas!
Splurge: VersaSpa, $34/visit
Closest to campus:
Sun Tan City, located at 601 Stillwater Avenue, Old Town.
Current Deals:
Become a member this month and get a sunless inclusive visit for free; Buy two sunless inclusive visits for only $49.99!Print the coupons from suntancity.com. (Hurry! The second deal expires on February 28th!)
Save: Celebrity Spray Tanning, $12/visit
Closest to campus:
Malibu Tans, located at 659 Hogan Road, Bangor.
Current Deals:
Get up to $34 off any OC products; 20% discount for students! Bring your MaineCard.
Take it from one of our own:
“The spray tan is a great, and natural looking, quick fix to get the color I normally would need a month of tanning in the beds to get. I absolutely love it.”
-Kristina Hambrock, UMaine student, and employee at Malibu Tans
SUNLESS TANNING LOTIONS
If you want a glow that you can manage yourself, sunless tanning lotions are the way to go. They can even come with you on vacation. Just make sure you pack them in your checked baggage…
Splurge: Faux Tan by Bare Escentuals, $22
Closest to campus:
Skin Necessities, located at 16 Penn Plaza, Suite 248, Bangor.
Tip:
The Faux Tan lotion dries fast, so rub it in as quickly as you can. The (brown…not orange) color is visible when you apply it, so check the mirror to make sure you’re streak free. For a more gradual effect, mix it with your daily moisturizing lotion.
Take it from one of our own:
“It’s a safe alternative for a natural glow, and it can even be used on your face. Faux Tan is definitely more natural looking than anything you’d find in a department store. Bare Minerals is a really reputable line, and Skin Necessities sells all their products.”
–Lauren Gray, UMaine Alumni, and employee at Skin Necessities
Save: Jergens Natural Glow Express, $8.50
Closest to campus:
Hannaford, located at 500 Stillwater Avenue, Old Town.
Tip:
The Jergens lotion takes a little longer to darken your skin than the other methods, so choose it if you want to look like you’re gradually tanning while on vacation.
These options should show your tan in 4-6 hours and last up to 7 days.
Before your sunless tanning, be sure to exfoliate and shave to lengthen the lifetime of your tan. To prevent drier parts of your body from absorbing more color, you can apply lotion to your knee, elbows, and palms. Afterwards, wash your hands immediately, so the color doesn’t stick to them. Wear dark and loose clothing, so excess color can’t ruin your favorite outfits. Avoid showering or sweating for at least 4 hours.
Unfortunately, you won’t have much of a tolerance for the UV rays down south. Be smart and wear sunscreen, reapplying often. No one wants to be the girl stuck nursing her sunburn in the hotel room!
If you don’t know how often to reapply, download the free “SPF” application on your iPhone or Android phone. You can enter your skin and sunscreen types, and the app will set a timer to go off the next time you need to lotion up.
Whether you use these tips to hit the booths or the shelves, you’re sure to have a tan that makes all of your friends as jealous as your tropical trip does. So go get that glow!