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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Where have you been all my life?

I've been sunless tanning for about 10 years now, so I like to consider myself a bit of an expert on the topic.  I thought I knew all there was to know about sunless tanning, but I was mistaken.  Case in point: the Ulta Sunless Mitt.  An invention of my dreams!  How have I gone 10 years without one of these?  

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Description: Applicator mitt easily smoothes self-tanning products onto the skin. The Self-Tanning Applicator Mitt by Ulta features a soft, velvet-like cloth cover that cushions the skin and an inner, water-resistant barrier to protect hands from becoming stained. Provides even, streak-free color. Hand-washable mitt can be used again and again.
I bought this mitt at Ulta last week for $4.99, and it has bit a bit of a life changer.  Around Christmas time, I cut back on a few unnecessary expenses.  One of these unnecessary expenses was my $49.99 a month Mystic Tanning membership.  It's a rough life, I know.

Since I stopped Mystic Tanning, I was content with embracing the pale.  That was until I saw some recent pictures  and I couldn't believe just how pale I was.  Sometimes all it takes is a photo to slap you in the face with reality.  I'm not trying to look like Snooki, but I would prefer to not look like a vamp. 

The problem is I've never been that fond of applying my self-tanner myself, but this mitt makes it a breeze.  Not only does it help you blend the color, but it protects your hands from turning that unsightly orange.  At only $4.99 (currently a "buy 2/get 2" special on Ulta.com), I will be purchasing a few more of these.  I don't know why I ever tried to apply mystic tanner without one of these magical mitts.

While I was at Ulta, I also decided to test out a new self-tanner.  After deliberating and standing in the sunless tanning product aisle for too long unable to make a decision, I finally made a gut decision and went with Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Creme Lotion Self Tanner in Medium Dark for $10.99 (used a 20 percent off coupon).
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I've gotta give it to my gut instinct, this self-tanner has been one of my favorites to date.  The best part for me is the odor is very minimal.  I don't ever think I've used a self-tanner with this pleasant of a scent (citrus, tanning oil scent) after the the chemical reaction took place between my skin and the key ingredient in sunless tanners — dihydroxyacetone (DHA).  It's impossible to not smell the chemical a little, that's just the nature of the beast.  I'd rather smell a little funky than get skin cancer or look like an old, wrinkly hag.  Right?

I also like the pump, it's much easier to dispense this product than having to shake and squeeze a typical lotion bottle. Because the mitt makes it so easy to evenly apply the lotion, I was streak-free after application.  I used the lotion 2 times last week and it gave me the perfect sun-kissed color for my fair skin.

I just used it again last night and I think to maintain I'll have to reapply 2 to 3 times a week.  I hate when self-tanner starts to come off and your skin looks splotchy, so I'm happy to report I haven't been asked yet by any strangers if I had a skin disease.  Oh yes, this happened to me standing in line for the merry-go-round with my nephew.  Here's how that went down:

Man standing behind me w/ his son: "Excuse me miss, I was just wondering if you had Vitiligo too?"

Me (confused): "I'm sorry, what was that?"

Man: "Do you have Vitiligo, the skin disease?  I noticed on your wrists that your hands were whiter than your arms.  I'm just asking because my son has it and i thought you did too."

Me (embarrassed): "No sir, just a blotched self-tanning job."

I couldn't believe that happened, but that is the story of my life.  Hopefully this mitt will mitigate strangers asking me if I  have a skin disease.   So far, so good.
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5 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! I can't believe he asked that! I guess he didn't know and thought maybe you could make his son feel better about having it... lol I'll be taking some self tanning tips from you! I'm Whitey McWhiteson and after have a few spots removed last summer that were found to be precancerous... I stay out of the beds and slather myself in sunscreen! lol

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  2. I'm glad you stay out of the sun, sorry to hear about the precancerious cells but at least you caught them early! My best friend got Melanoma at 24, but they caught it in time thank goodness. I'm just as fair skinned as her and we have probably spent the same amount of time in the sun. It can happen to ANYONE! You have to be so safe and get your moles checked. Anyway I could go on about this.

    haha yes I believe he was asking because he thought I had the same thing as his son. hahahah still funny.

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  3. ohmygawdwowowowa! Again, I must get to Ulta asap. You are going to have me going there daily, I guess. ;)

    Whenever folks comment on how pale I am, I always explain that true blondes are pale, not tan like in the Sports Illustrated calendar. LOL

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  4. I had precancerious cells removed from my right arm and got 12 stitches because of it. I lived in the tanning bed all 4 yrs in high school and I havent since I got those precancerious cells. Im okay with not looking tan all the time but Id rather not be old with tons of wrinkles and cancer cells.

    I'd say im a self tanning lover. I have so many self tanning products. I used to spray tan also but like yourself I had to cut some costs. But actually applying lotion yourself looks just as good and is a lot cheaper!

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  5. nothing helps the self esteem like a little self tanner in the winter! i will for sure be buying one of these mitts!

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