B101.7 Beauty Report: Can Spray Tans Look Like The Real Thing?

When I was younger, I used to tan ALL. THE. TIME. I used a tanning bed almost daily, and I'd spend my summers laying outside with baby oil, mayonnaise, or anything that could get me a dark tan. I'm paying for that now: age spots, wrinkles, damage to my skin. I still want the healthy glow of a suntan, but I'm not risking exposing my skin to dangerous UV rays. That's why I decided to try spray tanning... 

I had my reservations at first: I was afraid I'd come out looking like an Oompa Loompa, Snooki, Tan Mom, or worse. I wanted a tan, but I didn't want to look fake. I wanted to look like I'd just returned from Cancun, not some orange, splotchy, streaky hot mess. I wanted the perfect tan, and I found it.

I had my first spray tan session with Raw Sun Tanning last week. It was amazing! Their studio is fully mobile; Lauren, my spray tan artist, set up a tent IN MY OFFICE and had me tanned in a matter of minutes. It was so easy! I didn't have to take time out of my crazy schedule to make an appointment and drive to a salon; Raw Sun Tanning came to ME.

Their tanning solution is 100% naturally derived--no dangerous chemicals, no weird smell. The solution is DHA based--it comes from sugar cane and beets; when it's applied to the skin, a natural tanning effect takes place. The results last for 6-10 days, depending on how well you take care of your tan. The results look like a deep suntan but without the risk of UV damage; DHA tanning is even endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation, the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Medical Association as a safer alternative to sun-bathing. Real results without the risks of tanning? AWESOME.

Take a look at my results--I took a few photos around my house so you could see what my skin looks like in natural light, in incandescent light, fluorescent light, and with my camera flash. I mean, from every angle, it looks great!

My tan looks totally natural. I'm hooked. I've gotten so many compliments from friends and family--people have asked me where I've been vacationing or how I got so tan so fast. It's all Raw Sun Spray Tanning, y'all. I'm on day six of my tan, and it's still going.

Raw Sun Tanning also hooked me up with incredible products from Sjolie to extend the life of my tan: an exfoliating scrub to prep my skin for the tan, an incredibly rich and nourishing body wash to gently cleanse my skin without stripping my tan away, and a tan extender to moisturize my skin and ensure my deep, gorgeous tan will last.

I love my tan! I can finally wear all the cute sun dresses and skirts that have been hanging in my closet for years without the fear of blinding someone with my pale, pale skin. I'm not kidding--without a tan, I could pass for a vampire in an Anne Rice novel. Scary stuff. I love having a glowing tan--it makes me look healthier, younger, and even slimmer. I am going to be rocking a tan from Raw Sun Spray Tanning all summer long.

I'll use an upcoming edition of the B101.7 Beauty Report to share the secrets I've learned to getting the perfect spray tan and photos and videos of the spray tanning process. It's awesome, and you're going to love it, too!