The 5-Minute, At-Home Tan

With the crazy weather we've been having lately, it's tough to know if it's going to be freezing, raining, hailing, sunny, or really hot. If you find yourself waking up to a gorgeous day, call up your pals, throw on some bronzer lotion, squeeze into those short shorts and head outside! Although there are tons of really great self-tanners available for do-it-yourselfers who want to get a tanned glow right from the comfort of their own home, the key to a quick tan is bronzer.

Quick:
Buy a bronzer lotion that contains both bronzing agents as well as DHA. Products such as gradual self-tanners are meant to work over time and usually do not include bronzers. Bronzers are a cosmetic feature of tanning lotions designed to start developing your tan in about 5 minutes. Buy a product that smells fresh and clean. Let your tanner dry for 30 minutes or more. Work on your hair or make up while it dries. By the time you're ready to head out the door, so is your tan.

Easy:
Bronzing lotions are easy to work with because they let you see where you're applying. This is a big factor when it comes to avoiding streaking and splotchiness. The best thing about these products is that you get instant gratification. Once it's dry, pat with a dry towel to make sure you don't have too much rub off. Try to wear something dark and avoid white clothing. Also avoid water at all costs. Unless you're in the shower, water will likely cause unevenness and streaking in your tan.

The 5-minute tan provides perfect results for areas such as legs, arms, and chest. Avoid direct sunlight since you cannot wear sunscreen on top of your bronzer tan. Avoid applying sunscreen before applying your bronzer as this may prevent your color from developing in some areas.