Adventures on Non-Tanning

I was frightened. Scarred, after that article surfaced about how the UV rays from a tanning bed is as cancer causing as Arsenic. That shocked me to say the least. i quickly headed straight to my tanning salon and announced with pride " I will not be getting cancer equivalent to arsenic, oh no, cancel my package!" Well actually I didn't say that, I timidly switched my package from the level 2 premium unlimited to unlimited Mystic Tan with a smile and a thank you.

I am not a tan-aholic. I have never been 'unnaturally' dark, although at times, I am sure I have towed that line. But I would like to think with my age and maturity I have learned to have a steel grasp on my artificial glow ways. Of course i sprang for the unlimited package. It seemed the best deal and who has time to deal with stars and stripes or whatever they call those tanning points. Rarely did I go more than once a week, unless there was a special occasion looming and of course I used the special, raccoon eye indusing eye protection (or did I?). Overall I felt like I was in control of my tanning ways and responsible as you can be when subjecting your body to cancer inducing stimuli.

But, I have to admit I could never quite get past the guilt of subjecting my body to something I knew was harmful. My vanity couldn't even mask that feeling. However much I tried to tell myself "Oh I don't do it that much." or "Oh, it isn't really that bad." those feelings of guilt always crept back in. Vanity aside, it was always a matter of time before the guilt won over.

And it did. After reading "that article" I was shocked to learn that women under the age of 30 who use the tanning bed have a 75% higher chance of getting cancer! that is astounding. Those numbers can't be ignored and if you are still ignoring them... good luck.

So obviously, as stated, I was scarred silly and nixed my artificial UV ways. I opted for the self tanning option. This was scary too though. We have all seen the orange hot-mess that self tanning canbe. Just google a picture of Lindsey Lohan, Nasty! I did not want to look like that. So I researched.

I couldn't cut ties totally with my tanning salon and so instead of cutting cold turkey I opted for Mystic, as stated earlier. I had had a mystic in the past and it hadn't turned out so hot. But I was willing to give it another go around. So, before my trip to Charlotte I headed to the salon, was given the mystic tutorial, doused my hands and feet with the 'barrier cream', donned a hair net and entered the 'tube of mystic' as I refer to it.

I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. It was easy inside that mystic tube. The floor was stickered with numbers to help those not accustomed to mystic know where to place their feet. An automated voice talked and walked me through the whole mystic tan process as I was sprayed down which was quite helpful and prepared my nerves for that initial blast of solution that hits your body.

I opted for the lightest of the three levels, clear. And I am very thankful I did. The day following my first mystic I received many comments on how tan my legs looked. I asked my close friend Melissa if, really, I looked orange. Being a very truthful person, she said, "no, it looks really good".

I haven't been back though. To be honest I am still a little weary of the Mystic Tan. I have a fear that one day my legs wont look tan and I will come out of there looking like an umpa loompa.

For a back up to my Mystic tan fears I researched self tanning lotions. This was equally as scary as Mystic. Because if you come out looking orange and streaky from self applied tanners you cant blame a machine. The only person to blame is yourself and that bottle.

My research results came up with Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel. It has received rave reviews all over the internet. It is pricey ($30.00 a bottle) and the bottle isn't exactly super sized. But I am willing to pay for a natural looking glow. I have been using the gel for about a week and a half now. And although not disappointed I cant exactly say I Have seen amazing results. My legs look tan but my face is still quite pale ( which I guess I would opt for over streaky and orange). I will keep using Clarins though because there were just SO many rave reviews, it has gotta give me something, right?



But I am still on the hunt. What do you all use? Any suggestions?