Fashion Bombshell Kendra wrote in asking: “With summer just around the corner it means that I have to show a little more skin :) Unfortunately, the winter weather left my legs looking dull and discolored. I would love to have a sun kissed glow all over my body. Could you please recommend body bronzers particularly for dark skin that will give an even, smooth and bronzed appearance?”
Hey Kendra!
Since our skin practically goes into hibernation while hidden under thick layers during the cold winter months, when warm weather creeps in we have to spring into action to get our skin looking its best. We’ll need to take a series of steps over the course of a few days. First things first, you’ll want to remove all from your legs and thighs. For a super smooth finish, schedule an appointment at your favorite salon for a waxing, but if that’s not realistic, get a clean razor and a shaving gel like Avon Skin So Soft Fresh & Smooth Silky Stay Shave Gel ($5) to carefully remove hair.
After a few days (you want to allow your skin to “heal” after your shave so you don’t irritate it), grab an exfoliating body scrub (the best I have ever tried has to be The Body Shop Spa Wisdom™ Africa Ximenia & Salt Scrub ($28)—I initially thought the guy at TBS was trying to swindle his last sale of the day out of me, but when I went home and tried it out, giiiiiiirl! talk about smooth and bright skin). Follow the scrub with a daily moisturizing treatment. I love C.O. Bigelow® Lemon Body Cream ($19.50) because although it’s a cream, it’s non-greasy and will give the skin a beautiful sheen. I also love Vaseline Vitalizing Gel Body Oil Cocoa Butter With Brazilian nut oil & almond oil ($7) right after a shower while my skin is still a bit damp. This stuff smells so good you’ll want to eat it. It leaves the skin soft and radiant.
If you have stubborn discoloration marks, you may want to try a skin lightener on the spots to even out your skin tone. Many of the ones used on your face can be used on the body as well. Try Clinique ‘Even Better’ Clinical Dark Spot Corrector ($49.50) which has helped me fade dark spots on my face (a result from trying out a new skin care treatment *smh*) in 4-6 weeks.
And now for the bronzer! Seems like I made you go through so much just to get to this part, right? Well that’s because if you just put bronzer on your skin without prepping it first, you’ll just highlight the imperfections. And that’s no bueno.
The simplest, most cost-effective way to get a gorgeous bronze look for any skin tone is to crush some of your facial bronzer and mix it with baby oil gel. If you don’t own bronzer or prefer to buy a lotion, you’ll love Body Bling created by makeup artist Scott Barnes who uses it on his clients, most notably Jennifer Lopez. Some other bronzer lotions to try: NARS Body Glow ($59—split a bottle amongst 4 or more friends), Urban Decay Flavoured Body Powder ($26–go for Honey for lighter skin tones, Cocoa for darker skin tones), Sally Hansen Healing Beauty Airbrush Legs ($13–comes in formulations for all skin tones)
Tools of the Trade:
~Danielle
May 4, 2010 4:36 am
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May 4, 2010 7:39 am
That Vaseline gel is the TRUTH!!! I use it every morning.
May 4, 2010 2:18 pm
I use the Vaseline Gel Body Oil too and it’s the best!! Leaves my skin extremely soft and very radiant!
May 13, 2010 1:24 pm
Danielle, thank you for this post. As you suggested I grabbed the Spa wisdom scrub and the lemon cream. I am so happy with the results. My skin is not only soft and glowing but I smell so good too. Thanks again!
May 14, 2010 2:40 pm
Kendra—you’re welcome! So glad you liked the Spa Wisdom and the Lemon Cream—as a matter of fact, I need to pick up some refills…lol.