Get a Great Tan Without Burning

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Get that sexy tan (iStockphoto)
Get that sexy tan (iStockphoto)


A sexy tan at home


Having beautiful bronzed skin in the summer is easily attainable for any skin tone, even for some of us fair Latinas who tend to burn quickly. The best part: you don't have to spend any time under the sun's harmful UV rays. The easiest way to get a summer glow is to use a body self-tanner. I tested out many different brands, and the one self-tanner that didn't leave me orange, didn't have a bad smell and dried fairly quickly is LORAC's SelfTANtalizer Body Bronzing Gradual Self-Tanner. This self-tanner instantly adds a sun kissed look that can gradually be built up for a full-on tan. I recommend applying it after getting out of the shower; just wait about five minutes before putting your clothes on.

VIDEO: Watch my tutorial on how to get a great tan without the sun
A beautifully bronzed face

Now we want the face to match our faux-bronzed skin, and to achieve this you can use a gradual facial self-tanner like LORAC's FACE selfTANtalizer Face Bronzing Gradual Self-Tanner. However, I wanted to keep my naturally pale skin tone and just slightly enhance it, so I found a product from "Too Faced" that does just that. I take Too Faced's Primed & Poreless SPF 20 Bronze Tint Skin Smoothing Face Primer, and blend it all over my face and down my neck. It produces a lovely, tan color to the skin that I love. You can use this product by itself or under foundation for a bronzed look fit for any occasion.

VIDEO: Tips for Lasting Summer Makeup


Set your tan

Lastly, you always want to finish off with a bronzing powder for the ultimate summer glow. I start with a matte bronzer; I use NYX's matte bronzer in Light, and blend it in the contours of my face (under the cheekbones, under the chin and on the temples). It instantly gives the illusion that I have lost ten pounds! I finish off with a shimmery bronzer like theBalm's Betty-Lou Manizer on the cheeks, forehead and chin. As an extra touch, I like to take another shimmery bronzer like Sonia Kashuk's Illuminating Bronzer, and take it down my neck and over the décolletage area.

See more of Charleen's beauty tutorials on her YouTube channel


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