Tanning- desperate for help!

[CrisisCritical]

Last month I went on holiday and wore 3/4 leggins most of the time. So I now have very brown feet and ankles and lilly white legs

Next Wednesday I'm going to a posh outdoor party and I'll be wearing a knee length dress. I was intending to wear tights with it but there's going to be a heathwave so I'll be wearing no tights with strappy sandals.

I tried my outfit on last night and I look completely insane with my two tone legs.

So I need to even out the colour. I was thinking the best idea would be self-tan or a spray tan. However, I've never had a spray tan and the last time I self-tanned I was 18 and it was really streaky.

I'm scared on spray tans because I don't want to be orange but I'm also scared of self-tan because of the streak risk.

What would you lovely MNrs recommend?

I should also add that I am a regular swimmer and will be swimming on Monday and Tuesday next week- I know that'll probably strip the self-tan off but what about the spray tan? If I got it done on Saturday, for example, would it have all faded by Wednesday if I've been swimming twice in between?

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

I've NC because the last thread I contribute to, plus this one, would have totally outed me!

Anyone out there with any advice?

Sorry to be pushy but I'm going into town after work today to buy the self-tan or book a spray tan so I'd really appreciate the advice today. I'm not normally this pushy but I'm really panicking

self tanners have probably come a long way since you last used them. Why dont you pick up a bottle and test it today that way if it doesnt go on well or look right you've still go time to sort out another option like a spray tan. If you want a cheap tanner that is pretty good look for St Moritz.. I'm no longer in the UK but I've read on her people are buying it at poundland or similar.

Don't bother with either if you're swimming, it'll strip it all off and could look patchy. What about a bit of instant tanner on the morning?

I'd do the fake tan the night before btw. Worst case scenario if it's streaky (I really doubt this will be problem unless you went for a really dark coloured one and really messed it up, it's only really from the knees down, right?) you could get some skin coloured pantihose to wear over the top to even out the tan

I would go for self tan. Do the exfoliation part first. Don't put too much on. You can always do another layer.

sally hansen legs? spray on colour? get it at superdrug here

Hello

Thank you all so much for your comments.

peasandlove Yes it's just from the knee down! And good idea about doing it the night before never thought of that for some dumbass reason

Fatty Sorry for being a bit thick but what's instant tanner ? Is that different from self-tan stuff? And could you point me in the direction of a brand at all, please?

X post!

peasandlove Thanks for that link.. looks like some good reviews!

that stuff is meant to be great Crisis.. get some today and try it out .. best of luck

I would go for instant tan/bronzer too. No7 or Rimmel ones are good and easy to use and blend. I would choose the light ones as they will look most natural if u are quite pale normally. Maybe have a couple of practises and then you can just wash it off.

IfUSeekAmy Yep, I'll definately need to go for light colours because I'm very pale (especially my legs)

peasandlove Thanks again peas for the recommendation.

Spray tan will be pointless if you swim I would give sally Hansen a go it is a make up so will cover both areas but make sure you exfoliate and moisturise in the days leading up to give best result otherwise it will be patch on dry skin.

Limon Thanks so much. I'll definately give the Sally Hansen a go- really hope they have it at my local Superdrug!

And thanks for the tip about exfoliating as well- I'll get myself a good scrub whilst I'm in town (any recommendations very very welcome...)

I've got the Sally Hansen stuff - it's very good and natural looking (I got the fair one) but you do need to have smoothish moisturised legs to get the best result. Also, definitely buy a tanning mitt (a couple of quid in Superdrug) to apply it with as that helps a lot too.

Yes yes to tanning mit makes it much easier to apply.

Another recommendation for instant tan you can put on the day. Get some Rubber gloves, exfoliate and moisturise loads between then and now, and do a few practice runs before hand.

I use Sally Hansen (i use it on my arms too!) it is fab at covering imperfections and doesn't shift if you accidentally splash it with water as apposed to washing it off.

If your not confident after doing your trial run (I think you will be though!) I love the Clarins tan - it's not a spray tan but the therapist exfoliates you and then applies the cream for you. It's the most natural colour I have found.

Ah, tanning mitt- that's great to know thanks both. I never would have thought of that.

silly the Clarins tan sounds great. Is that something they do at a Clarins spa or just at the counter in Boots? I think there's a Clarins spa in a local Dept store near me.

Thanks again ladies for all of this- I'm such a novice!

any update? how was the party? :)