TresSugar

5 Ways to Prepare For Spring

DearSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Listen up everyone - Spring officially starts tomorrow, so if you're not yet ready for a season change, check out these easy ways to prepare yourself!

If you're stuck with pasty Winter skin, give yourself a vacation-looking glow instead. Exfoliate away the cold-weather dryness, lightly moisturize, and, if you'd like, invest in a good self-tanner.
Winter can do a number on your hair so treat yourself to a thick, rejuvenating conditioner, or head to the salon for a reconstructive treatment. If you're up for a new look, now would be the time to get some highlights to brighten up your face!

Click here if you want to read more

I'm sure you're all sick of your Winter clothes by now, but ease your way into Spring - just because the sun is shining, it doesn't mean you have to show everything! Layer tanks with cardigans or lightweight jackets and put your Winter boots back in storage. One thing to keep in mind is to let the temperature dictate your outfit, not necessarily the season.
I don't know about you, but a manicure/pedicure always makes me feel fresh and clean, and since there are so many new seasonal colors to chose from, swap out your dark shade of red for a more springlike shade of pink!
When you're ready to show your legs again, be sure they're cleanly shaven. Load up on shaving cream and new razors, and remember to moisturize!

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The How-To Lounge: Perfect Self Tanning

DearSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:00:00 -0700

Spring is fast approaching or very much arrived for some of us. It's a fine time to discuss self tanners and how to avoid those orange hands and streaks. Follow along and get a glow that says weekend jaunt in Mexico, not 60-watt bulb in the bathroom.

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Before applying self tanner, shower in lukewarm water, because sweating can impact application. Remember to exfoliate: it's the most crucial step when it comes to self tanning, as the creme tends to gravitate to dry, rough areas
Dry off completely and apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the places you will be applying the self tanner. This helps the tanner glide on more evenly
It's best to apply your self tanner to a naked body and to focus on one area at a time. I suggest starting with your legs and working your way up. I'd avoid spray-on tanners; they're impossible to perfect. Anyway, the lotion lasts longer
Most people don't have tanned arm pits or heels. Keep your glow looking natural by applying it to places that make sense
Just as in the sun, some parts of your body pick up pigment better than others, so apply your self tanner with that in mind. For example, the top of the arm is darker than the inside of the arm
Wait at least 15-20 minutes before putting on your clothes after application. Tanners stain, so don't wear anything you can't live without
Wash your hands every 5 minutes to avoid stained, orange palms. Take this step seriously, ladies! Wearing gloves is in an option, but you'll get a cleaner application with your bare hands. You choose your trade off
Don't shower or swim for at least 4 hours after applying. As with a real tan, self tanner will fade over time, so re-apply once or twice a week

Good luck, ladies, and remember: wash your hands as much as possible throughout this process. I can't wait for summer!

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Self Tanners For Fair Skin

DearSugar — Mon, 22 May 2006 04:58:09 -0700

Dear Sugar
I am very fair-skinned, so much that I buy the palest shade of foundation at the drug store. I need to darken up my skin for the summer without hitting a tanning salon, but because I'm so pale, many self-tanners turn out too orange. Are there any you can recommend that are made for paler girls that will look natural and not orange.

Dear Cautious Kim
Helena Rubinstein's Sun Care Product Diagnosis takes you through your sun and skin goals to help find your best product match. Famous Dave's Fair Skin and Face self tanner gives you a light glow which can be repeatedly applied for desired color and is less expensive than many of it's competitors ($9.99), and Clinique's Self-Sun Face Quick Bronze Self-Tanner($17.0) results in a warm, honey looking tint that looks beautiful on super-fair skin. Self-tanning products work by using a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the only such additive approved by the FDA for topical use. DHA was a discovery made in the meat packing industry in the late 60's. It was created to turn meat that fabulous delicious looking color and last for 5-7 days. But using DHA on skin is a little trickier. It's a sensitive ingredient with a pH level that determines how tan you will become. You can tell what the pH on your self tanner is by looking on the label for any of these 3 ingredients that should never be present: Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, and Mineral Oil. All of these ingredients have a naturally high pH - over 6. And a pH over 6 means that you'll going to turn orange. So that's just a little self tanner lesson. Here are 7 tips on how to acheive a natural fake bake look.

5 Spring Cleaning Tips

DearSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:30:00 -0700

I've always felt that being organized and neat helps in every other aspect of my life. If my house is in shambles or my to-do list is multiple pages long, anxiety starts to kick in and everything else suffers as a result. If you're the same way, it might be time to get a head start on your Spring cleaning. Now I'm not just talking about scrubbing your floors and clearing out your garage; I'm talking about getting your life in order so you can successfully put Winter behind you and move forward toward Spring! Check out my five tips.

Start by cleaning out your desk drawers and removing all the clutter from your counter tops. Throw away all that lose paperwork you don't need and start a new filing system to organize the things you do need. It's key for everything to have a home.
Get rid of all your old cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, and medications, as they all have expiration dates. To get ready for Spring, be sure to load up on allergy medication, sunscreen, conditioner, razors, and self tanner.
Store all your Winter clothes or put them in the back of your closet and drawers. If the temperature is about to change where you live, this would be the time to swap out your heavy Winter comforter for your lightweight sheets and blankets.

Want to see my other tips? Just read more.

Go through your closet and make sure your Spring/Summer clothes don't need cleaning or alterations. If they do, take care of it now so you're ready for the warm weather when it arrives!
If you've been putting off repairs or repainting your bathroom, now's the time to do it. Ask your friends for help or just dedicate a day to tackle the chore yourself. Pump some tunes and reward yourself at the end of the day for a job well done!

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The How-To Lounge: Fixing a Streaky Self-Tan

DearSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Now that summer is technically over, it's time to rely on your self tanning lotion to keep your summer glow alive. If you have trouble staying in the lines so to speak, here are some tips to fix your streaky tan lines. Click here to read more

Be proactive and try your hardest to apply your self tanner as evenly as possible
If you do have unwanted streaks, soak a cotton swab in lemon juice and literally erase your mistakes. The citric acid in the lemon juice acts as a natural skin lightener and exfoliater
Baking soda is another natural way to exfoliate and takes self tanner off skin to reveal your natural color underneath. Massage the baking soda into your damp skin and rub it in with gentle circles
If your face is streaky, try using an alcohol free toner or make up remover
For the bottom of your feet or hands, use body hair bleach and if you're trying to clean up your ankles or elbows, douse a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide and wipe clean (test a small patch first to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin)
Soaking in the tub and gently exfoliating should also do the trick

Do any of you have other tricks that work for you? Remember, self-tans don't last forever so be patient and shower as much as possible!

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There's Always One Smartass...

GiggleSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Who wants to mess up the picture. I'd still put this in an album, though! (And as for the other lady--step away from the self-tanner.)

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Twin Peeps

GiggleSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Add a little (ok, a lot) of self-tanner to Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo and she and Black Eyed Peas' Fergie are Twin Peeps!

(Thanks for the suggestion, amandabuchanan!)

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