It's not too late to get that (fake?) Summer Glow!

Another "regular thing" for me all my life has been the much-envied *Summer Tan*. The great thing about being a Floridian is that being tan is something you never even have to think about. Just walking to your car is enough sun to maintain one, and if you add in one beach day you've gotten yourself a tan DWTS celebs would pay thousands for.

So, imagine my surprise that, when I looked in the mirror the other day in DC that I was pale. Now yes, I'll admit, I do have naturally pale skin. But it tans easily, I rarely burn, and the only time I really change a foundation shade is during the dead of winter when I'm busily studying for finals and not out at the pool.

Since I live on an intern-college-budget and I also am just way too embarrassed to pay for a tanning bed subscription, I popped in the local CVS after work and picked up a bottle of Jergens natural glow ($7). I applied vigorously every morning before work like the bottle said, and although I did get a little tanner, I wasn't pleased. The smell was rough, I felt constantly greasy (even after it dried), and if I (godforbid) missed a day of application, the tan started to awkwardly fade. Plus my elbows were orange, which my coworkers loved to point out -_-.

So, back to the drawing board. I decided to spend my next lunch break furiously researching every tan-in-a-bottle miracle liquid I could find. After searching through pages on pages of gels, mousses, lotions, sprays, powders (seriously? I'm gonna powder my whole body) and any other weird word associated with, I decided on Tanceuticals tanning lotion. Although much pricier than Jergens ($24) and annoyingly only available off their website, I took the plunge, sat back, and waited.

Much to my surprise, I received the bottle in a cute little box on my front doorstep only a couple days later. And let me tell you.... I'M OBSESSED. I'm back to the tan, happy Florida girl who knows it's summer! Here's some pics and why I'm in love

Why I'm in Love

• It smells AMAZING. I'm serious. Like  islandly tropical coconut amazing. And luckily, the smell wears off too so you don't smell like a pina colada allllllllllllllll day.
• It's actually good for your skin. Or at least, they say it is, and  it's an awesome moisturizer and my skin is super soft ever since I started using it.
• The tan isn't orange. People would comment on my Jergens tan, but the only comments I've gotten now is how tan I am!
• It lasts. I applied it only once last week and it didn't really start fading till day 6. They recommend twice a week use though, which I can only assume would make ya a little tanner and not experience any fading.

Also, I use Sonia Kashuk bronzer ($12, Target) to keep the tan even from my neck to face when I apply foundation. Although I have been applying the lotion to my face too and haven't broken out at all, either!