Beauty Faux Pas: How to Fix a Bad Fake Tan
Is there anything worse than slathering on some self-tanner only to find (the next day) that you're personally responsible for transforming yourself into a human zebra? Discovering that your fake tan does in fact look incredibly fake–complete with streaks and smudges–is a modern day beauty disaster. And major disappointment. I'll be the first to admit that it has happened to me on more than one occasion. So what's a girl to do? Simple. Mix together freshly squeezed lemon juice with a few teaspoons of baking soda until the powder becomes a paste (not liquid). Then take a shower and exfoliate areas of extreme streakiness using the lemon-powder mixture until the unwanted tan disappears.
Baking soda is a fantastic exfoliate. It's nonabrasive and leaves your skin feeling incredibly smooth. (Trust me, try using it on your face mixed with a few drops of water instead of lemon and you'll never spend a fortune on expensive exfoliating scrubs again.) Lemon juice is naturally acidic and it acts like a mellow form of bleach; it works to remove unwanted color. When baking soda is mixed with lemon juice, the results are amazing.
The next time you find yourself with a less-than-stellar faux tan, turn to your fridge :-)
Have another Beauty Faux Pas dilemma? Let me know in the comments below and I'll do my best to cover it in an upcoming post.
XO Lauren
You might also like...
Giveaway: My Favorite Sunless Tanner
Tuesday Ten: My Summer Beauty Secrets
Style Guide: My Summer Must-Haves
Beauty Essential: My Dry Skin Remedy
Photos: randy mayor, care2.com
30 comments
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This worked wonders! Got the worst spray tan before a pageant, and looked here, used the recipe, and it helped so much! Thanks Lauren! -
Needed this info before my sisters wedding when I looked like a leopard!
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Suburban Glam, mysuburbanglam.blogspot.com
Find me on Twitter: @MySuburbanGlam -
If you are looking for Fashion and Beauty advice please check out my blog at http://myfashavenue.blogspot.ca/ Thanks! -
If you are looking for Fashion and Beauty advice please check out my blog at http://myfashavenue.blogspot.ca/ Thanks!
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So interesting! I need to give that a try. I use sunless tanner twice a week and hate it when I get streaks. Thanks Lauren!
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That's so interesting and amazing! Thanks for the tips Lauren!!
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Wow I had NO idea about baking soda! Def going to try it as a plain exfoliant too... Thanks Lauren!
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I love the tip about the baking soda. Thanks Lauren!
(You guys should try out the website weheartit.com it's been super fun for me and hopefully you can follow me as 'Katherine'.)
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Well good thing I don't fake tan! Lol, but thanks for sharing about the baking soda. I have got to try it on my face as an exfoliator.
Linh
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Oh gosh, such great advice! Luckily I haven't had problems with this in awhile but I remember one time my legs were striped and super orange!
I would love for you to do a post on any suggestions or products out there that help with razor burn/bumps, especially during binkini season! I mean I use a razor with soap on it and lots of shaving cream and use an in-shower moisterizer, but I still have problems with razor burn sometimes and it is the worst :(
xoxo,
Rachel
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So glad you posted this! I've been know to have streaky legs from self tanner a few times
Thanks
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I also recommend Jergens self tanner. It doesn't smell and is subtle enough to look natural. It's also a great way to moisturize and put on some SPF! Affordable too! Great advice Lauren :-)
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Awesome tip! Self tanning can be scary. I love the St. Tropez tanning mousse that comes with a mitt. A little pricey, but worth it if you need an instant "natural looking" tan. For drugstore, gradual tanners seem to work best like Jergens. Thanks for sharing this tip!
xoxo, Mallory
www.pastelsandmascara.blogspot.com
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Thanks for the tip! Definitely need to remember this next time I use self tanner!
xx-MC
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I'll definitely have to give baking soda a try as an exfoliant! Thanks again, Lauren!
-Kelby
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@Kellie Norton I have been using this stuff by Jergens and it's not really a self tanner but it's an SPF that I use everyday and it does tan you a bit. I have noticed my skin has a beautiful glow to it and it doesn't streak or smell bad. I LOVE it! Here is the link to the stuff I have:) http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=394794&catid=182946&aid=338666&aparam=394794
Hope you like it!
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Thanks for sharing it with us Lauren!! Watch out :)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Look-Scout/172057052811556
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OMG ones I trimmed my eyebrows and whta happened...I slipped and had only a few hairs left...dont ask about.. :) Everyone was laughing :) XOXO
http://www.look-scout.blogspot.com
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Anyone know any budget-friendly self tanners? I seriously never have time to lay out these days, and I'm also not one that likes to get sunburned :-)
-Kellie
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This is great to know and have in case of an emergency! I'm normally too scared to try a self tanner, but I just might try it with this back up plan. Thanks Lauren!
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this is really good advice - i had no idea! i normally only use a clarins self tanner on my face (it never streaks or looks orange!) because i hate most self tanners for body because they smell, streak or make my skin a funny color! lauren & team - do you recommend a good body self tanner?
xoamy
http://www.cupcakesncouture.com/2012/07/lately-on-instragram.html
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