Everyone looks better with a tan. It’s a fact. The summer is a perfect time to work on getting your skin a little more bronzed and your hair a little more blonde. This doesn’t mean you should go fake-bake and try to get skin cancer; this means that if you have a break from your part-time job or internship, you should hit the beach and soak up some rays. Here are five tips on how to optimize your sunning experience and look fabulous come fall.
1. Wear sunscreen
I know this can be hard. But you want to be tan here, not burn to a crisp. Yes, sometimes burns turn into tans, but most of the time they just increase your risk of getting skin cancer. I highly recommend at least putting on SPF 15. This will ensure that you’ll still get tan without looking like a lobster.
2. Tanning oil is tight
Purchasing some tanning oil with less SPF can be a good option if you already have a base tan and if your skin is dark enough that it can handle a little more color. However, tanning oil with SPF 4 or under can definitely burn you, so make sure you only use this when the UV index is below five, or when you’re in Minnesota where the sun doesn’t get that aggressive. Putting tanning oil on the parts of your body that tan easily, like your stomach, will help enhance your tan and make you that much darker. Make sure you also apply a little bit of sunscreen with your tanning oil as well; again, the goal isn’t to be a lobster.
3. Sunglasses are a necessity
The last thing you want is to get premature crow's feet from squinting into the sun all the time because you forgot to bring sunglasses. Consider purchasing some cheap shades to avoid this problem; it’ll really enhance your sunning experience.
4. Avoid weird tan lines
High-waisted bikinis and bikini tops other than just triangles or bandeaus have recently become more in style. These are totally cute; however, they can lead to some strange tan lines. I would recommend choosing one bikini or one piece and sticking with that so you don’t have weird lines all over your back or a strange, pale line at the bottom of your stomach from wearing high-waisted bottoms. Make a choice about your swim suit options and stick with it.
5. Find a good book
Tanning time can get super boring if you don’t have something to occupy your time while you tan. The summer is a great time to start reading for pleasure and catch up on some old books that you wish you could’ve started during the school year. This way, you can do something productive and get your tan on.
