That Lovely Wedding Day Glow

That Lovely Wedding Day Glow

June 4th, 2010 @ 3:23 pm by Mrs. Frog
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Aside from the expected inner glow I’ll have on our wedding day (squeee!), I started thinking about my outer glow… i.e. to tan or not to tan? It actually started a while back when bridesmaid Creeker and I were discussing one of the things she learned from her wedding – beware of invisible tan lines.

I know it sounds crazy since I live in the desert but most people here don’t really spend much time laying out, hanging by the pool, etc. Then again, that could be a different story if we had a pool… no, I’m not bitter, why do you ask? At the moment, I have visible tan lines that have taken up residence for months now and despite my best efforts to get rid of them, they seem to have become one with my skin.

That Lovely Wedding Day Glow : wedding beauty phoenix Bride T

(source) Gorgeous bride wearing a beautiful dress that unfortunately shows off her tan lines quite well.

I’m less than two months away from the wedding and I’m weighing my options. P.S. – can I also add how irritating it is that boys don’t have to worry about this?

That Lovely Wedding Day Glow : wedding beauty phoenix Beach

(source) Let’s just pretend that we have beaches like this in Arizona… a girl can dream.

Option 1: Chance it and try desperately to even out the tan between now and then.

That Lovely Wedding Day Glow : wedding beauty phoenix Spray T

(source) Am I the only one that thinks of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when looking at this photo?

Option 2: Fork out extra cash that’s not in the budget to experiment with spray tan.

That Lovely Wedding Day Glow : wedding beauty phoenix Anne Ha

(source) Anyone remember this scene from Bride Wars?

Option 3: Find a tan-in-a-bottle that won’t turn me orange.

Knowing that I will be spending the days before the wedding (hopefully) on the boat with our friends, I did have the foresight to purchase a bathing suit that is suitable for sunning in relation to my dress.

That Lovely Wedding Day Glow : wedding beauty phoenix Vickys

(source) Thanks for the discount Vicky, you’re a peach.

Although it’s not helping the bottom line, I’m leaning toward the spray tan option. My real concern is that I’ve never done it before so I’ll need to give it a try somewhat soon to make sure it agrees with my skin and I don’t have some sort of crazy allergic reaction… which is quite possible knowing my skin.

Has anyone tried spray tan before or have a good recommendation for tan-in-a-bottle? What option would you go with?

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30 Responses to “That Lovely Wedding Day Glow”

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Member

jackie-o (message) 2,389 posts, Buzzing bee

Since you have some time would you consider ‘testing the waters’ now with getting spray tanned via airbrush? You can see if you like or no like - If you like you can airbrush before you leave for your wedding & if you no like then chill in that super-duper cute VS bikini & get those lines worked out over time

6/4/10 @ 3:37 pm (reply)

Member

pec1216 (message) 644 posts, Busy bee

I did an airbrush tan in high school for prom and it turned out great! I loved it! Did it the week before to test it out and then again the day before prom night. Lasted for a couple of days. Just make sure you do it right and follow the indtructions…hate to get that stuff on your dress.

6/4/10 @ 3:40 pm (reply)

Member

peachybride (message) 124 posts, Blushing bee

I bet the lines will fade if you stick to a tanning regimen. You can also try messing with different SPF sunscreen on your tanned vs untanned areas…

6/4/10 @ 3:45 pm (reply)

Member

Hola13 (message) 52 posts, Worker bee

I did a spray tan back in December. The place I went to let me chose what time of tan from natural to beach dark. I went with the lightest. I didn’t feel too dark for Decemeber, but one of my students asked me if I had gone tanning. I also was not orange by any means. I had always been a skeptic of spray tan but I’ve done nothing but rave about it since I went. I had a friend who did the spray tan at hollywood tans, now that I would not recommend. She said it was like the episode of friends when ross has issues with a spray on tan. Just make sure you put lotion on your heels, elbows and in between your fingers. If not, those parts will be super dark because they are dry.

6/4/10 @ 3:46 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Seashell (message) 1,713 posts, Bumble bee

I’m placing a strong vote for a spray tan. I’ve had great luck getting a nice, even natural looking glow. The stuff from a bottle runs the risk of being streaky and uneven.

6/4/10 @ 3:53 pm (reply)

Member

JenBabe (message) 316 posts, Helper bee

Spray tan is great! I only have a few things to add to this statement.
1. Exfoliate like a crazy person.
2. Don’t add the option for extra bronzer it makes you look too dark.
3. Be prepared to have the inside of your white dress turn brown.

6/4/10 @ 3:56 pm (reply)

Guest

I definitely would vote for the build-a-tan lotion. I use Dove’s ( http://www.mydove.com.au/summerglow/index.html ) and it rocks. You really don’t notice it the first day you use it, but if you do it every day for a couple weeks, you have a great tan! It’s not streaky because it’s a lotion you use every day.

Seriously, try it! (and I would recommend Dove because I’ve tried a few others, and Dove works the best)

6/4/10 @ 4:01 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

i’ve never tried it, but i say go with spray tan!

6/4/10 @ 4:02 pm (reply)

Member

KWebs (message) 102 posts, Blushing bee

I have permanent lines on my shoulders, even though this year I have been SUPER careful not to go out in a tank top– its either shoulders covered or strapless. Someone pointed out that I am probably tanning slightly through my t shirts or whatever and those are my BRA lines that are showing. So, just something to keep in mind. I don’t know what I’m going to do about it though.

6/4/10 @ 4:03 pm (reply)

10.

Member

shaydenise (message) 1,151 posts, Bumble bee

If you do a tan in a bottle, use one of the lotion ones (dove, jergans, etc.), not just the tanner. I have sensitive skin and when I used the lotion tanners they helped keep my skin moisturized so they looked better for a longer period of time, whereas the ones that were just straight up tanner dried out my skin and made the tan look blotchy. And don’t forget your face! lol.

Also, I would say gradually put it on and don’t do it the morning on the wedding. You don’t want orange-ish stains on a wedding dress!

6/4/10 @ 4:08 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

Mrs. French Bulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

@K: How does the Dove one smell? Okay? My problem with self tanners like that is they always smell funky :-/

6/4/10 @ 4:10 pm (reply)

12.

Member

kirabee (message) 1,402 posts, Bumble bee

I’ve never tried spray tan but my favorite self tanner is Aveeno’s Dial-a-Tan (or something like that). You pick a level 1-5 of tan and it pumps out the right amount. The results are subtle and natural-looking, which is important for someone pasty white like me.

6/4/10 @ 4:12 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

jackah

try st. tropez brand tanner. get the new customer discount from drugstore.com and follow the instructions in the videos on the st. tropez website. no streaks, very subtle scent.

6/4/10 @ 4:15 pm (reply)

14.

Member

jordanrae (message) 9 posts, Newbee

i would also recommend a spray tan - one where an actual person airbrushes the tanner onto your body, not a spray tanning booth. i have done it before and it worked out great! i was able to control how dark the tan was (i only did one coat as opposed to the supposedly normal 2 or 3). it actually lasted (if i remember correctly) over 4-5 days, and i don’t remember any coming off on the dress i wore the day after the tan (it was partly white too) so i’m sure if you are careful, and follow the directions, you should be able to minimize the risk of transfer. i would definitely suggest trying it out now, that way you can see how it looks, and see if you have transfer issues.

good luck!!

6/4/10 @ 4:17 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

@ Mrs. French Bulldog:

One of the reasons I like the Dove is because the smell really is pretty much neutral.

6/4/10 @ 4:31 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Also, the lotions do not rub off on your clothing!

6/4/10 @ 4:32 pm (reply)

17.

Member

kbp2009 (message) 41 posts, Newbee

If you’re only worried about tan lines on your chest and having a professional do your make up, you might consider discussing it with them. A little air brush foundation might be all you need to even out.

6/4/10 @ 4:33 pm (reply)

18.

Member

BeautifulBrideAngela (message) 21 posts, Newbee

If you go with a bottle tan then remember to exfoliate really well especially on areas like the elbows and knees - the product can “sit” in those drier places and you’ll end up with darker areas. Also make sure to wash your hands really well or the palms of your hands will tan as well!

6/4/10 @ 4:54 pm (reply)

19.

Member

Miss Emily Marie (message) 254 posts, Helper bee

I use neutrogena’s self spray tan and love it! I used it before standing up in a wedding and had a nice glow to minimize my paleness. You control where it goes and how often. I did a practice patch on my upper thigh to see how dark it made me before I did my whole body. As long as you have steady hands I recommend this option. One can lasted me 3 weeks doing it every other day and it’s only $10. Saves money but it’s still a spray not a lotion.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Neutrogena-Medium-Micro-Mist-Sunless-Tanning-Spray-5.3-oz/10309477?sourceid=1500000000000007346330&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10309477

6/4/10 @ 5:12 pm (reply)

20.

Guest

Amber

Please don’t give yourself skin cancer and premature aging by sitting out in the sun without sunscreen.

6/4/10 @ 5:31 pm (reply)

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