Tanning for a woman of color? (legs, reviews, product, complexion)

[sunkisses87]

I know it's a weird thread title and I don't know how to describe what I'm looking for, but I'm a woman with a light caramel complexion. I want to even out my skin tone. Right now my legs seems somewhat paler and splotchy, and I want to get them to an even pretty skin tone. I want to basically correct blemishes and tone everything out. I'd also like to try the technique of "sculpting" my body via tanning(I've read that some white women are able to spray tan to get a sculpted toned look). So with that all that being said, I don't know ANY woman of color that tans, albeit a cousin of mine who lives in a different state--she's very light and goes to tanning booths. I don't want to get that type of UV damage, and definitely too hot here down south to be sitting in the sun(also not safe either). So I'm looking for sunless tanners that would work well with my skin tone and techniques that I could use to sculpt my legs with the tanner? Has any woman(of color) tried this? And if so what products did you use?

Thanks

[ja1myn]

So, I'm guessing you're more of a darker colored woman than a lighter one? I think I know what you mean. Do you take care of your skin in terms of moisturizing and exfoliating? Some people think that just tanning will get them the glowing color they want, but maintaining healthy skin has a lot to do with it as well.

[sunkisses87]

Originally Posted by ja1myn

So, I'm guessing you're more of a darker colored woman than a lighter one? I think I know what you mean. Do you take care of your skin in terms of moisturizing and exfoliating? Some people think that just tanning will get them the glowing color they want, but maintaining healthy skin has a lot to do with it as well.

I'm more lighter than I am darker, but I'm somewhat fair as well (Christina Milian/Ashanti's complexion resembles mine etc). I do take care of my skin as well, moisturize, drink a lot of water, etc. But I don't wear shorts or anything(I want to start) so while one part of my body is darker, the other part(my legs) is uneven, etc.

[dub dub II]

Lol, i sit out in the sun all the time.

[Joy74]

Being in the sun is the only natural way to tan your skin. Going for walks in shorts or a sundress will even out your tone in no time.

[sunkisses87]

Yall are killing me. I am down south and it is HOTTTTT. I cannot take the heat, which is why I was looking for a way to do it without having to go into the heat. But thanks anyway lol.

[SXMGirl]

Have you tried a self-tanner like Jergens? I use that often and like it. I also hear good things about St. Tropez.

[sunkisses87]

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

Have you tried a self-tanner like Jergens? I use that often and like it. I also hear good things about St. Tropez.

Thank you for your input. Does the Jergens help even out your skin tone, give you a glow, and get rid of the pale splotches?
Some people have told me Jergens works well, Neutregena sunless tanner, Lancome, and St. Tropez. I want to know which out of these work the best(in other words best bang for the buck). I don't want to look orangey or weird if I buy the wrong product so I'm really trying to find out which product has the most "natural" looking tan.

[SXMGirl]

Jergen's does give you a glow. I am not sure how it would work to even out your skin, but you could try it somewhere where it would not show. I have read some reviews that St. Tropez has to be very dry before putting clothing on or it will stain. I have not had that problem with Jergen's, but I do wait for it to dry and I usually put it on after my evening shower.

[Brian.Pearson]

Side point: People who have darker skin tend to not get enough vitamin D, no matter how much sun they get or how much they lie on a tanning bed. It's critical that everyone gets enough vitamin D.