Despite what Drake might have instilled in your mind, getting gold, no spray tans, is not an easy feat. And while achieving a golden glow is a goal of mine each and every Summer, more often than not, I find myself far too busy to lay out and bask in the suns glory. But, that all changed this year when I moved into a new condo in Toronto that features a glorious roof top that few residents use. Given its vicinity, I’ve found myself basking in the sun on each and every one of my days off – even if only for an hour. 

But there’s a lot more that goes into to achieving and maintaining an even glow and smooth silky skin than simply laying out. Which is exactly why I rely on a selection of skincare products to help prep my skin and maintain my tan. These are the 5 products I've been using this summer to get myself 'gold, no spray tan'. 

How-To: Achieve Golden Skin for Summer

Pre-Tanning Tips

Step #1: Exfoliate Your Skin

Truth be told, there’s absolutely no point in basking in the sun if you haven’t exfoliated your skin. I personally like to the Jack Black Turbo Body Bar Scrubbing Soap, which features natural lava rock to gently polish away dead skin. Unlike other soap bars I've tried, this Jack Black option features hydrating murumuru and shea butter to help nourish and replenish the skin after exfoliation, so my skin never feels dry or irritated. Plus, it’s energizing scent and inclusion of Gingko Biloba and Natural Blue Lotus makes for a great way to combat morning drowsiness.

Step #2: Use a Water-Activated SPF

When I was younger, I would completely skip SPF in an attempt to tan quicker. However, as I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize the true dangers of sun exposure and now make SPF an essential part of my tanning routine.

For my body, I’m open to a variety of brands and formulations, so long as they feature SPF 30. But when it comes to my face, I’ll only trust the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion with SPF 50+ WetForce for sensitive skin. The formula is extremely thin, so a little bit goes a long way, but it's still able to coat the skin for all day protection. And, WetForce technology means that this sunscreen becomes more powerful when the applied area is exposed to water, including sweat. I don’t know about you, but I sweat an awful lot when I am tanning, so this technology leaves me reassured I stay protected regardless how much I sweat. 

Post-Tanning Tips

Step #3: Replenish & Hydrate

As mentioned above, the sun strips the skin of its moisture via sweat and can cause great damage to skin’s texture and tone. Therefore after tanning, it's incredibly important to replenish your skin after tanning with hydrating products. And when it comes to after-sun care, the Shiseido After Sun Intensive Recovery Emulsion for Face and Body is an absolute life-saver. It's highly nourishing formula replenishes vital moisture, promotes natural balance, retexturizes skin, and inspires a dewy, fresh feeling. Leaving my skin feeling supple and hydrated for hours on end.

But lately, to amp up its hydrating properties, I’ve been mixing in a few drops of the NIVEA Q10 Firming Body Oil. With its lightweight texture, this oil mixes beautifully with the Shiseido After Sun Intensive Recovery Emulsion and absorbs quickly into the skin. Plus it contains co-enzyme Q10 and avocado, cottonseed, and macadamia oils to help firm skin, even skin tone, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Therefore my skin is left feeling intensely smooth and boasts a stunning glow that enhances the look of my tan.

Step 4: Maintain Your Glow

Once you’ve established a tan, you have to maintain it! And since it’s not reasonable to assume that I'll be able to enjoy the sun each week, I keep the Vita Liberata Ten Minute Tan close to my side. This faux tanning lotion works in record time to deliver a natural glow and extend my real tan. Plus, the inclusion of Vitamin C from neroli, and omega oils from rosehip lock in moisture to further hydrate and replenish my skin! The results last for approximately a week, with no one the wiser!

This routine has become essential in keeping my skin tanned and glowing despite what the weather brings this Summer. And for that reason, it's definitely a routine that I'll turn to throughout the remainder of the summer and into Fall and Winter to avoid looking like a ghost.

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How do you achieve and maintain a Summer glow?
Let me know in the comment section below!

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