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Everyone looks thinner with a tan. It's a given, right up there with "Wear black — it's more slimming than white. But since roasting for hours in the sun is dangerous (not to mention time-consuming), the best way to deepen your skin tone is to get on the sunless-tan bandwagon. Like sunscreens, self-tanners are better than ever — and almost goof-proof.
To try: American Beauty Glowing Radiance or Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze.
Interestingly, the latest innovation in bottled bronzers has nothing to do with what's in the bottle. Gaining popularity at many spas is an application method that helps to visually whittle problem areas like flabby arms or legs so you look as though you've actually kept up with that New Year's diet. "It's an artist's technique of shadowing and highlighting," explains Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare spas in Florida and New York. But instead of painting a canvas, a spa technician uses self-tanner to shade fuller areas of the body and draw attention to the firmer parts.
The at-home version: You don't have to be a Rembrandt to make this work. First, evenly apply a coat of self-tanner to your entire body. Wait till it's completely dry. Then apply extra tanner to flabby spots. "You don't have to be precise. Just move your hand in long, circular strokes. You're not trying for a stripe — you want to create a subtle oval shape on the skin," says Barshop. The result: an optical illusion that really flatters.
Best spots to "slim down": Use Barshop's technique down the outside of your thighs, at your waist and along your upper arms.
Best spots to play up: Where are you most muscular or slender? Accentuate those areas (like your shinbones) with extra tanner. Also try it on indentations, like your cleavage and any visible abs.
To try: American Beauty Glowing Radiance or Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze.
Interestingly, the latest innovation in bottled bronzers has nothing to do with what's in the bottle. Gaining popularity at many spas is an application method that helps to visually whittle problem areas like flabby arms or legs so you look as though you've actually kept up with that New Year's diet. "It's an artist's technique of shadowing and highlighting," explains Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare spas in Florida and New York. But instead of painting a canvas, a spa technician uses self-tanner to shade fuller areas of the body and draw attention to the firmer parts.
The at-home version: You don't have to be a Rembrandt to make this work. First, evenly apply a coat of self-tanner to your entire body. Wait till it's completely dry. Then apply extra tanner to flabby spots. "You don't have to be precise. Just move your hand in long, circular strokes. You're not trying for a stripe — you want to create a subtle oval shape on the skin," says Barshop. The result: an optical illusion that really flatters.
Best spots to "slim down": Use Barshop's technique down the outside of your thighs, at your waist and along your upper arms.
Best spots to play up: Where are you most muscular or slender? Accentuate those areas (like your shinbones) with extra tanner. Also try it on indentations, like your cleavage and any visible abs.
