Spray Tan Vs. Tanning bed

Spray Tan vs. Tanning by bed or booth

It's not hard to see what a difference a tan can make on someone, but what's the best way to get there? The decision to have a tan sprayed on to you or to tan it on with ultraviolet lighting lies in the preference of the customer. Both sides have their positives as well as negatives and the results seem to be a lot of mixed feelings on both sides.

Indoor Tanning with beds

and booths has been around since the late 70's and is today's most famous way to provide yourself with an off-season glow. When taking into consideration if you want to try out this beauty-enhancing phenomena, there are many things to take into consideration. First, let’s look at the positives. 

Pro's: Tanning in a bed or booth can provide you with a natural looking glow or full on tan, without the necessity of the sun. Even during the summer months, laying in a tanning bed for 12 to 15 minutes seems more effective than laying outside in the sun for 2 to 3 hours to achieve the same tan. It saves time and provides you with a great look for a special occasion or any normal day of the week. Achieving a tan through tanning beds will not start to peel or blotch, like many spray tans tend to do.

Cons: Tanning in beds, unfortunately, has been discovered as threatening to a tanner’s health. Despite their convenience and emotional benefits, tanning beds are not considered to be safer alternatives to natural sunlight. Actually, they dramatically increase the risk of skin cancer.

Spray tanning 

 also has it’s pro’s and con’s and is usually a hit or miss with any client to try it.

Pros:There are many benefits to getting a spray tan. A huge one is decreasing the risk of skin cancer associated with traditional tanning. The other positive to spray tans is that they are instant. No need for baking outside in the sun for hours on end or waiting for your sticky self-tanning lotion to dry. As well, you can adjust how dark you want to go by spray tanning more or less frequently.

After going through the positives of spray tanning, you might say that there are probably no negatives to be found! Well, like with all things, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Cons: One of the disadvantages of a spray-on tan is that the color lasts for only a few days. The National Institutes of Health's service "UptoDate" explains that the colorant, DHA, fades within a week in most people as dead skin cells are shed. Also, tanning sprays can stain clothing as well as skin, making it a potentially messy way to give skin a healthy glow. A lot of times unevenness becomes an issue, especially around fingers, elbows, knees, and other creases that push around the spray immediately after application.

Spring 2013 Accessories

 Accessorizing for Spring 2013

Crystal Clear

Possibly the most interesting new trend, inspired by your 1990's "jelly shoes", are clear accessories. From bags to shoes, to even sunglasses and hats the clear accessory trend is slowly but surely gaining momentum!

Going Gladiator

 

 These thigh-high, strappy numbers were seen everywhere on the runway this season. From boots to sandals these gladiator inspired shoes certainly make a statement.

Pastels go Bold

 

These aren't your ordinary pretty spring pastels. Using color-blocking and black details these pastels have been transformed.

Modern Metals

 

Gold and silver metallics made a bold statement on the runway this season. Designers demonstrated that metallics are no longer just for nighttime wear. Pair them with neutrals for a  chic, minimalist look!

Spring 2013 Fashion Trends

Spring 2013 Fashion Trends

 

Stripes
 

 

From Marc Jacobs to Oscar de la Renta, stripes were showcased everywhere on the runway. Whether horizontal, vertical, chevron or curved, with stripes there is no failing. Wear them with denim for an all-American look, navy for a nautical feel, or mix and match to look ultra chic! They may be the new trend for spring, but stripes will never go out of style!

Menswear

 

With so many new adaptations the classic tuxedo still maintains it's classic reputation, but with a chic update. The trick to menswear is to keep it structured, while staying feminine. Add some killer heels, red lipstick and a sophisticated clutch and your outfit will do the talking.

Leather Details

Leather trim, tops, dresses and skirts were everywhere at fashion week. Search for minimalistic shapes, rich colors and take a no-fuss approach to the hair, makeup and accessories for a more current look!

Eastern Influences

 

 Designers from Prada to Emilio Pucci drew inspiration for Asian cultures this season. Pair these bold prints with basic pieces, so the focus is on the beautiful fabrics these designers have transformed!

Peekaboo Pieces

At fashion week there were daring cutouts, midriff-baring separates, and sheer fabrics all over the runway. This spring it shouldn't be a problem finding something daring and baring!

Spring 2013 Makeup Trends

 

Spring is right around the corner and so are all the new makeup trends! This season's looks are fun and easy to recreate at home!

 Bold Brows

 

Bold, almost boyish, brows were everywhere on the runway this season. Now more than ever, the thicker the brow the better! Marc Jacob's took the look to another level by creating a squared, angular brow. At home, outline your brows natural shape,using a color close to your own, going just slightly outside the outline of your natural brow.

Fun with Liner

 Eyeliner is quickly becoming the makeup must have in everybody's routines. Whether it be smoldering, graphic, or a fun pop of color, liner is taking center stage this season. Teals and aquas are are becoming a huge hit for the warmer months. You can smudge it, wing it, blend it, colorblock it and create endless shapes and designs, there are so many possibilities!

Fresh Luminous Skin

 Spring is the time of new life and fresh beginnings, so our skin should reflect that! The trick is to use as little makeup as possible (and a great moisturizer)! Apply concealer where it's needed and blend, blend, blend. If more coverage is needed, use a tinted moisturizer or beauty balm. Next, apply a cream, or liquid, highlight shade to the highest planes of the face. Apply a rosy light colored cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and very lightly powder the "t-zone" if necessary.

Red Lips

 Red lips are probably the most surprising of all the trends on the runway this season. Pick a shade that has more of an orange or peach undertone to it, this way it doesn't look like your still stuck in the winter, cold weather blues. A red lip is classic but keep it bright and fun for spring!

 Lush Lashes

Luxurious, full and long lashes were the main focus of many designers looks, especially Gucci. Artist's used false lashes to achieve this look, but at Lash L'Amour you can flaunt this look day and night without having to apply any falsies!

Beauty Products That Are Worth the Hype

Urban Decay's Naked Palettes $50

An absolute must-have, you can create countless looks with these twelve highly pigmented shadows. Both Naked 1 and 2 are great for neutral days and bold nighttime looks. The original Naked palette consists of more warm tones while the second palette includes cooler colors. The original palette has two matte shades while the Naked 2 has three. For the matte shadow fans, Urban Decay recently put out their Naked Basics palette which includes six completely matte shades. The company has reformulated all their shadows to be some of the best on the market. With these palettes at hand, you can't go wrong!

 

Benefit Porefessional Primer $30

If you aren't using a primer already, start! They're applied after your skincare, but before your makeup. It preps your skin for the makeup to go on as smoothly as possible. It also allows your foundation to stick to something, besides your own skin, making it not wear as fast throughout the day. Everybody wants to shrink their pores, unfortunately it's not as easy as some may think. However, there is a quick fix and it's called the Porefessional (get it?). It is a silky silicone texture and it instantly fills in every single pore or fine line your skin may have. It blurs every imperfection so that you can even wear it alone.

 

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer $29

This bronzer contains real cocoa and makes you crave a cup of hot chocolate when you put it on. Not only does it smell delicious, it is not orange and it lasts throughout the day. Many bronzers change to a not-so-pretty orange shade throughout the day when your skins chemistry react with the chemicals in your cosmetics. The Chocolate Soleil bronzer applys a shade of brown and stays that shade throughout the day. For more fair skin tones, Too Faced also has the Soleil bronzer in Milk Chocolate.

Mac Fix Plus $21

For powder foundation lovers Fix Plus is must. It is a mist that you spray after applying your setting powder or powder foundation. It magically "fixes" your makeup for you. If you've applied too much, or it's not even, this magical mist instantly transforms your skin.

Statement Lips

Statement lip colors are back and more popular than ever. Shocking pinks, dramatic berries and glam reds are making a comeback.When it comes to choosing the right shades, keep your skin tone in mind as well as the lipstick's pigmentation.

Pinks: glossy bubblegum shades are prefect for women of fair skin, while more rosy shades are best for those with medium/olive skin. For women of darker skin, pigmented fuchsias are most complementing.

 



Berries: For fairer skintones, go for a more rasperry-jam type of shade. Women of medium skin tones should opt for a sheer blackberry color, while opaque plums suit darker tones.



 





 

Reds:To wear a red confidently, make sure to apply the color with precision.Using a pencil first and applying with a lip brush will give the look a sharper effect. Fair tones should gravitate towards opaque rubies and olive skin looks great with red-orange colors. For women of darker skintones, brick red's look best.

 

 

A pop of color on the lips with minimal makeup on the eyes is a sure way to look dramatic and fun. With a fabulous set of eyelash extensions you'll be the center of attention!

A Polished Touch

 

 

As we hide in our homes in attempt to take cover from the harsh cold outside, that same warm air keeping us cozy may also be dehydrating to our skin. Chapped lips and flaky limbs are a tell-tale sign that the extreme temperatures of indoor heat and the outdoor chill are taking a toll on your sensitive skin. If it seems you can't apply enough lotion before your skin just drinks up the moisture, an exfoliation may be in order. Sloughing of surface dead skin will make way for a deeper penetration of body cream as wells creating an extra smooth surface. Try our favorite at-home recipe for exfoliation to ward of winter skin with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Fresh juice of 1 Lemon
3/4C of sugar
1T Extra Virgin Olive oil (may be subsituted for another nourishing oil, i.e. sesame oil)

Blend ingredients to form a paste. Then starting at your toes,  rub the exfoliator in a circular motion working your way up to your decolletage. Don't panic at the sight of pink skin, you're also simultaneously stimulating your circulatory system. Rinse in the shower to reveal a silky-smooth polished skin to the touch!

(exfoliator lasts indefinently and shelf-life can be extended by refridgerating)