I can’t figure out why everyone seems so shocked that tanning beds are ranked way up there on the list of things that give you cancer.  This really shouldn’t be news to anyone. Tanning beds increase your cancer risk by 75% when introduced before the age of 30. Now, I can’t lie. I went to college in a town where we clearly thought we lived in Beverly Hills. A day could not be complete without a stop by the gym and tanning bed (this went for GUYS and girls).  Luckily, my tanning habit ended when I received my diploma.  

Not only does excessive tanning make you prone to skin cancer, it also makes you prone to wrinkles and saggy, pruney skin.  Not cute.  With all of the products on the market, it surprises me that people are still paying up to sizzle down. 

Even though people are holding back on those new Prada shoes and Chloe bags, they are still spending their hard earned cash on something seasonless- their skin.  While not completely recession proof, the skincare industry has been riding out these tough economic times with a great deal of ease.  With that being said, you are wasting your money buying expensive skin creams if you are just following them up with a few minutes in a tanning bed.  By frying yourself, you’re completely canceling out all the benefits of your fancy face lotion. 

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, “Bacon looks better brown!” but this doesn’t mean you have to ruin your skin to get a golden bronze. Here’s how to fake a Hawaiian Tropic tan without out scorching your skin:

• Moisturize- Can’t stress it enough. Your face and body need to be slathered with moisture daily.  You can get wrinkles on your body too! Yuck! To keep your skin soft and supple, choose a moisturizer specifically for your skin type.  Many moisturizers also now contain SPF which makes your life that much easier. 

Clarins HydraQuench SPF 15 Cream

Dove Pro Age Cream Oil Lotion SPF 5

• Exfoliate- Try and exfoliate both face and body once a week to slough off dull skin. 

ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Sugar Scrub

• Bronze- Now it’s time to fake that golden goddess glow. A couple of routes here.  I switch daily between a tanning body lotion and my regular body lotion.  Another option is doing a once weekly tanning treatment at home (following your exfoliating treatment). Lastly, you can go to a local salon that does spray tanning if you don’t trust yourself (again-after you exfoliate). 

Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer

Model Co Sun Sponge

Mystic Tan Self Tanning System

• Protect- Just because you now are a bronze bunny, doesn’t mean you are safe from the sun’s UV rays.  You still need to make sure to use at least SPF 15 while in the sun. 

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion SPF 15

Now go on, my little bronze beauties. Show off that beautiful “sun kissed” skin. Just because you didn’t buy that new handbag, doesn’t mean your skin should look like leather. 

xx,

WhyDid

TURN YOUR PICTURES INTO ART:

This is one of my personal favorites.  Basically you send in a picture that you would like to have turned into a piece of art. You can choose from different styles ranging from Warhol to a simple silhouette and prices start at $39.99 and go up to over $200 depending on the style/fabrication/size you choose. It takes about 14 business days for the final product. Go to www.allpopart.com to learn more.

Such a great personal gift! Just don’t break up or you could be left with some awkward blank wall space!

Amazing! Don’t be surprised if my walls are suddenly plastered with pictures of my beloved pooch!

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME:

Xperience Days is something I’d heard about before, but never really read up on. Basically, you buy gift certificates for someone to choose the ultimate experience ranging from culinary classes to spa days to flying lessons to photo safaris. This is a great gift for someone who really does have everything.

www.xperiencedays.com

FOR THOSE WHO WILL NEVER GROW UP:

Or just has a twisted sense of humor.  Perpetual Kid has a great selection of hilarious books with titles like, “Hot to Get Fat”, “Breakups and Rejections”, and “How to Procrastinate.”  These are great stocking stuffers and silly gifts for friends.

www.perpetualkid.com

xx,

WhyDid