Having a gorgeous tan is quite a compliment to your body. With the color accentuating the shape and giving your body the contouring that your normal skin color misses out, who doesn’t want a tan? If you’re a bigger, it’s not surprising to get the jitters when embarking on an adventure to getting a tan.

There’s a lot to keep in mind when getting a tan and at times, we can get overwhelmed by it. Though we can control various circumstances, there are some side-effects that you can veer away from.

To name a few, here are some embarrassing experiences you wouldn’t want to experience:

• Earning a fair share of sun spots. These are areas wherein the concentration of the UV or sun was a little too much thus making it darker than you’d intended.
• If you’re keen on getting your tan through the sun, try to avoid a prolonged exposure lest you’d experience sun poisoning. Now this isn’t any poisoning but rather a really nasty sunburn. It’s characterized as blister-like patches accompanied by acute pain and sometimes a bad headache.
• Going too dark on your first try. If you’re a little new with the tanning business, it’s best to ask for some tips about tanning. There are cases where you end up being too bronze for your liking. While the tan does lighten up in time, try to be more keen on the shade of tan you want to achieve.
• Getting your clothes and bed sheets stained. There’s a technique in avoiding this. For one, make sure your tan has set through your skin and you don’t shower right away. The key here is proper timing. Don’t touch your tanned skin after applying self tanner. Instead, watch for the time to make sure you’ve waited enough.

Having these kinds of mishaps can be disheartening when it comes to tanning but there’s one way to go around that. You can make use of self-tanners which doesn’t need you to soak up on UV rays to earn a tan. In fact, due to the manageability of a self-tanner, you can apply an even tan without worrying about the shade or earning sunburns.

Many people pay a lot of money in salons or spas to have and maintain the glowing skin on their faces. What they do not know is that we only need our own hands to do just that since our hands are the most effective tool when it comes to our own skin care than any other materials or products known to mankind. Which is why when it comes to skin care in the face area, proper facial massage with gentle care and simply water is key in having a glowing skin in your cheeks, forehead and nose.

By performing facial massage on your face, your jaws tends to relax and release tension and the roughness and tightness of your scalp loosens. As you massage carefully in circular motion around the face, your facial muscles gets firm and helps in allowing deeper cleansing by the water or any other creams and oils that helps in cleansing the skin on your face. The process contains zero percent pain and it allows you to relax and feel good about yourself having a natural glow in your face that you’ve always wanted. Also, through facial massage, not only that your face gets comfort but also every other part of your body. The human face has hundreds of pressure points, each one affecting a specific part of your body. So be sure to massage gently to feel to relieve the stress from your whole body.

It’s not costly to try this technique every day. It’s better because you can do this yourself and it can be a relaxing activity after an all-day work before you sleep. All you need is clean hands, water to wash the dirt from your face, and some good cream or oil to help with the treatment. Why don’t you give a try and forget about luxury massages that has the same results as the simple facial massage.

Self tanning is a gift. Gone are the days when a tan was only possible during a few brief months, and you were left looking a pale-white ghost the rest of the year. Being tan no longer required a plane ticket.

But of course self tanning cannot be without its own drawbacks, and the number one concern for everybody who does it are the horrible stains and streaks.

But how can we ensure that we avoid those horrifying tan streaks? And if we do get them, what do we do?

Preparation is key

Before you do take the plunge into self-tanning heaven, make sure you prep yourself. Exfoliate your skin to ensure you’re fresh and your skin is ready and able to absorb the self-tanner. Shave any and all parts to ensure an even application. And don’t forget to moisturize, as moisturized skin is healthy skin, but do take care not to overdo it.

Use tinted self-tanners

When available, the tinted variety is always the better choice when it comes to self-tanners. After you’ve done your prep diligently, place an even amount of the self-tanning lotion and spread it evenly. The tint will help give you an idea how much lotion has been put where, and helps eliminate the horror of waiting whether you did good.

But if you do get it wrong, there are always ways to help you cover up, remove, or have a do over!

Lemon works good to help fade out streaks and stains, especially if combined with baking soda to form a paste / rub. Whitening toothpaste also works for small patches.

If you want a good, long, and warm bath also helps fade out or remove the self-tan you’ve made. Same goes with baby oil.

And if you do need a reset on everything, self-tanner removers are also available.

Exfoliating plays a big role in keeping your skin healthy. By removing dead skin cells from your body, you help fresh skin surface giving you a youthful look. Doing so also unclogs dirt clogging your pores, preventing skin infection. This helps remove excess skin oil, which can cause acne and blemishes.

It is vital however, that you know how to exfoliate properly. This includes taking steps such as:

There are cosmetic products that can make your skin dry. This products can remove natural oil that protects and keeps your skin healthy. Soaps that contain alcohol are bad for the skin. While it does a good job of killing germs, it dehydrates your skin. Fortunately, there are products that can help remove germs and are not harsh on your skin. Find and use products that are mild and can moisturize your skin. This will keep your skin healthy and protected.

Taking a hot shower can help relax your tensed muscles but can strip away the essential oils that help keep your skin looking young. Instead, shower using warm water and not taking more than ten minutes. The shorter and cooler your shower is, the less dry your skin will be. After taking a bath, pat your skin dry. By doing so, you help remove natural oil loosened by the warm water and irritate sensitive skin.

1. Avoid Using Harsh Abrasives

Stiff brushes and pumice stones are good in removing dead skin cells on your skin but using them too much can harm your skin. This can turn your skin raw and red, making it vulnerable to irritation and dryness. If you start noticing your skin becoming red or you feel pain after exfoliation, refrain from doing this for the meantime.

1. Cover Up During Cold Weather

Prevention is better than cure. You have to learn how to keep your skin healthy. Cold weather can dry your skin fast that is why it is important to cover yourself with pants, long-sleeves and other form of clothing that will protect your whole body from cold weather. You should also wear gloves or scarves to cover your hands and neck especially if you will be going outside.

Apply a thin layer of olive oil on your skin when it is dry and rub it well. This will moisturize your skin, keeping it smooth and looking fresh.

Take a small amount of cocoa powder, then add a small amount of lime juice or rose water on it. Next, grind some oatmeal before adding it to the mixture. Afterwards, add honey and raw sugar in it. Mix them well until it looks somewhat solid. Gently rub it on your face, elbows, and knees , in a circular motion. You can also add olive oil to the paste to balance the strength of the paste on your skin.

By taking these steps, you ensure a healthy and glowing skin that many will admire.