Sometimes you just don’t have the time to lie out on the Sunken Garden and soak up some rays, but the thought of getting a quick spray tan calls to mind Oompa Loompas and Snooki. As a former competitive Irish dancer I know the ins and outs of almost every self-tanning product out there (yes, Irish people are typically fair, but being tan helps to not get washed out while on stage). So have no fear, W&M Collegiettes! There are quick and easy ways to get that coveted golden glow without damaging your skin or looking, well, orange.
Mystic Tan
Body & Sol Tanning Boutique at 4920 Monticello Avenue in Williamsburg is a quick ride from campus that offers Mystic Tan spray tans. Being pretty fair myself, I went last year before a formal to get a little color for my gold-tone dress. Before you watch an instructional video, you get to pick your shade of tan- either glow, light, medium, or dark. I opted for the light, which is a great choice if you have fair skin and want a noticeable yet natural tan. In the booth it tells you where and how to stand so you get an even mist of tanner. After you finish getting sprayed and dry off, your tan continues to develop for the next 24 hours. I got mine done on a Wednesday afternoon, and when I woke up Thursday morning I looked like I had just spent a few days at the beach, sans bathing suit tan lines. The tan lasted for a good week before it started fading, but as it faded it remained even and never got splotchy. This is definitely my first recommendation for any TWAMP looking for a little color as the weather warms up. And the best part? Body & Sol takes W&M Express and offers coupons if you sign up at bodysoltanning.com!
Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist
I’ve only ever seen this product sold at Target, but this gives a pretty natural color for an at-home tanning fix. Not as natural as a Mystic Tan but maybe cheaper and more convenient, the Banana Boat self-tanner dries within 5-10 minutes and also comes out pretty evenly. The only issue with this product is spraying yourself in hard-to-reach places like your back- I’d suggest throwing on an old bathing suit and standing in the bathroom while your roommate or a good friend sprays you. A bit more of a hassle, but still a good product overall.
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
This product, like the Mystic Tan, comes in various shades so you can gauge how tan you want to get based on your natural color. It doubles as a moisturizing lotion, which is perfect for dry skin. Again, this product is difficult to apply to areas like your back, so I use it more as a corrector if my tan (spray or natural) is uneven. It’s an especially good product for your legs, as long as you rub it in evenly and avoid leaving lines from your fingers. The problem with this is that you won’t notice any missed spots or lines of excess tanner for a few hours until the tan develops on your skin. Other than that, the added bonus of the moisturizer makes this a quality self-tanner.
Overall, whether you choose a spray or a lotion, these products are safe alternatives to tanning beds or lying out in the sun. Just make sure that when you do lie out you apply sunscreen that’s at least SPF 15, because these tanning products do not contain SPF themselves. Happy tanning!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WM chapter.