Hi everyone! August has just started and it's sweltering hot here in Rome (it's 40 degrees outside!).
In the last articles we told you about the beauty essentials we always bring with us when we go to the beach ( "What's In My Beach Bag? - our favorite beach beauty essentials" ) and we gave you a few tips to prepare yourself for a day at the beach - like keeping yourself hydrated, drinking a lot of water, and trying herbal teas for a flatter stomach during the day ( "6 TIPS To Get Ready For The Beach - flatter stomach and beauty tips" ).
Today we want to give you some suggestions and some easy steps to follow to get the best tan and to make it last longer.
Before to start remember that we all are different and that for some people it's easier to get a tan than others.
Darker skin with more pigment will tan more easily and quickly than lighter skin.
Furthermore, some people have more sensitive skin than others and need to be more careful, keeping out of the sun during the hottest times of the day.
1. EXFOLIATE
To get a better tan, the first step is to exfoliate your skin regularly.
In fact it will remove dead skin cells from your body allowing you to get an even tan and helping prevent peeling.
However, exfoliation can increase sun sensitivity, making your skin more vulnerable to sun damage, so it's better to be careful and not to expose yourself to the sun right after the exfoliation. The night, before going to bed, is the best time to exfoliate so that you can get rid of dead skin cells, giving your skin the time to rest properly.
You can do a homemade scrub using natural ingredients like coffee, honey and brown sugar (check the recipe - "DIY coffee scrub - face and body mask for a perfect tan"). Apply the scrub on your face and body, avoiding the eye area. Gently rub into skin massaging in circular motions. Use this scrub once or twice a week.
2. HYDRATE AND MOISTURIZE
A hydrated skin will tan better than a dry one. To ensure skin stay hydrated, you need to hydrate your body both from inside and outside.
Moisturize your skin with rich lotion or creams after exfoliation and in the morning, before exposing yourself to the sun, and make sure you drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated from inside, too. (check our challenge "How to drink enough water and stay hydrated - CHALLENGE").
3. PROTECT YOUR SKIN
Protecting your skin is fundamental, not only in order to reduce the risks of sunburn and skin damage, but also to get an even tan and make it last longer. Many people think sunscreen will stop you getting a tan, and that if they won't use protection they will get darker more easily and quickly. Nothing more wrong. In fact you need to remember that the slower you tan, the longer it will last and it's an urban legend that your burn will turn into a tan the next day. Sunburn in addition to causing serious damage to the skin, it will inevitably make your skin peel and.. that's when you can really say goodbye to your tan. So always use a sunscreen and remember to reapply it every hour or two, and after swimming. Cream is better and it protects more.
4. WHEN LAYING OUT..
In order to get an even tan, you have to pay attention to your bikini.
A strapless bikini top is better to avoid tan lines, or you can adjust the straps while you're tanning and switch positions when laying out.
5. DON'T OVEREXPOSE TO SUN
Don't overexpose yourself to the sun. There's no way you can get the perfect tan in one day.
Don't stay too long in the sun, and if you feel a burning sensation or you notice your skin is becoming a bit red.. it's time to take a break!
6. TAKE A COOL SHOWER
After a long day in the sun, take a shower to refresh your skin.
7. MOISTURIZE (YES, AGAIN!)
Don't forget to apply more moisturizer, to help restore any hydration lost during the day.
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