Oh, the glories of self-tanner

Now, in high school and, let's be honest, throughout college, I was all for tanning. I didn't go to tanning beds mind you (although I did before my wedding last year - that is an awkward experience), but I soaked up every harmful ray while lying on a towel or lawn chair in our backyard or porch. I would lay out there for HOURS, obsessing about tan lines and analyzing where I was in the dark tan to severe burn scale. I tended to gauge this incorrected and was frequently burned in those years.

Since those days, and because I fear both skin cancer (my cousin had it and is now in remission, thank God) and age spotted, winkled skin, I have converted to self-tanners. They have been on the market long enough now that there are a LOT to choose from and they are relatively inexpensive. Last year I was obsessed with Jergens Natural Glow in Medium. It's a gradual tanner with a little shimmer and I used it pretty consistently last year. The drawbacks? It takes forever to dry (I literally blowdried my body every morning) and it stinks! Oh, and definitely wash your hands and be cautious when using it around your feet. I also got weird white patches in my elbow pits. ANYWAY, I recently made a new discovery which I highly recommend....

L'Oreal Sublime Glow Spray Tanner. Seriously, it's the best. It also has glowing (or should I say sublime??) reviews on makeupalley.com. It dries super fast (like a minute - no more naked blowdrying), and it's really easy to get an even application. You won't get any on your hands (because, hello, you're using an aerosol spray bottle) and it doesn't smell at all. Now, there are a few drawbacks - you had better put lotion on your feet or they will turn seriously orange...and when you exit the bathroom there is a pretty awesome cloud of mist that will follow you out. However, the benefits much outweigh the negatives. Now, it will run you about 10 bucks at a drug store, but hey, isn't your healthy skin worth the price??

Here we go!

Welcome to my new blog. After spending the last couple of months sampling some of the other beauty blogs out there, I've decided that I too have something to offer!

This revelation came after I tried cleaning out my toiletries drawer earlier this week. I undertake this task every several months in an attempt to make this drawer easier to open (it's chock full). I spend about half an hour throwing out old products that are nearly empty or products that I've tried and didn't work but hadn't taken the time to throw away previously. Oh, and I usually take another hour trying out the items I had completely forgotten about and then remembering why they are hidden in the bottom of the drawer (oh, my dark red lipstick! Ahh, yes, I keep that around just in case I need to look bloody for a halloween party).

Anyway, this week, I didn't throw out anything - not one thing. It seems there are many beauty products I love - be it eye shadow, body cream, sunscreen (yes, it's a beauty product!), or foot scrubbers. And, I have pretty strong opinions and HATE to purchase something that doesn't live up to the hype on the label. Therefore, I will be blogging about all things pretty - in the hopes that others can benefit from my great and not so great purchases. I hope this is fun to read and helpful. Here we go!