Here are the spray-tan tips I wish someone had given me before my first spray tan….

Schedule smartly. Evening appointments are the most logical, since you can go after work, then scurry home and promptly seal yourself into your private chambers. After the session, you’re forbidden from getting wet for 8 to 10 hours while your tan is developing, so you’ll have to wait until the morning to shower. Morning appointments, however, are best if clients need to shower that evening. If you are getting spray-tanned for a special occasion, make the appointment for two days before, but consider a trial a month in advance before a big event, like a wedding.

Prep your skin, part one. Always exfoliate with a non-oil-based scrub before a spray tan. It is best to do this the day of your scheduled appointment, but the day before is fine, too.  Acceptable forms of exfoliation: scrubbing gently with a creamy formula, shaving the day before (always use new razor blades to avoid a situation where your tan fades unevenly), or waxing a few days before.

Dress down. Pack some scrubby, loose-fitting clothes to wear home from your appointment. (Don’t breeze in wearing nothing but your dry-clean-only career-girl clothes). No wiggling into leggings, tights, skinny jeans, or any formfitting clothes (you should even try not to put your bra back on), or your bronze will look like a remnant from your vacation to Streak City. For footwear, wear loose sneakers with no socks, ballet flats, or any kind of slide-on shoes. Prior to your session, anything is fine; just remember any clothing that indents your skin beforehand will indent your tan afterward.

Prepare your skin, part two. Wash your face before your appointment, and wipe your body down with a cleansing towelette. You want to come in with clean, fresh skin, so no moisturizers, deodorants, sunscreens, makeup, or oils of any kind. And since you won’t be showering—or washing your face—after, taking off all your makeup just makes good sense. (And check the weather, because if an unexpected rainstorm hits and you are not fully equipped with protective covering, you should reschedule the appointment.)

Shower time! Once your 10 hours are up, shower with lukewarm to cool water, never hot. Wait until the water runs clear, then pat dry and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

Maintain. The more hydrated your skin is, the longer the tan will last. I suggest moisturizing morning and evening with an oil-free moisturizing formula. You should avoid getting full-on manicures or pedicures, as they’ll break down the tan. Polish changes are OK, but “no scrubbing, bubbles, soaks, massages, or hot water.” Working out is fine, but it’s best to wait at least two days before exercising, as heavy sweating removes the color sooner. If workouts can be avoided, they should be (I guess that’s why they say if you can’t tone it, tan it).

The sun is out and the beach is on my mind! No one wants to feel uncomfortable or ashamed in a bikini.  We all starting thinking about getting in shape for the summer back in March, but time goes by fast, and next thing you know it’s already bikini season, and you don’t feel bikini ready. Here are a few tips to get ready!

1. Nutrition

Abs are made in the kitchen!! I truly believe that getting that bikini body is 80% what you are fueling your body with and 20% exercise. Eat lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, have lots of protein (chicken, fish, turkey, tofu, eggs, etc.) and plan ahead! Eat more vegetables: While ‘dieting’ we often focus on what we can’t eat, and we forget about about the foods that we can enjoy.  Eat unlimited vegetables, enjoy them and be creative with how you cook them.  Not only will this nourish your body, but it will alleviate some of your cravings.  Stop drinking alcohol: Most people hate hearing this, but the truth hurts.  Other than wine being filled with antioxidants, alcohol has no benefits to your body.  Alcohol is full of unnecessary calories and sugar that not only make it more difficult for your body to burn fat, but can leave you feeling bloated and lethargic. If it’s too difficult to cut out alcohol, try minimizing your intake to 1-2 glasses on the weekend.

2. Exercise

Exercising will make you feel stronger, healthier, more fit, help you burn more calories, give you energy, will help you eat better, sleep better and over all, FEEL BETTER! I can’t stress enough the importance of exercise. Schedule your workouts in advance so you make sure that you go! Include it in your work day so you don’t skip it. So many people limit themselves because they feel like they have to be in a gym. One of my biggest tips is to just do something every day. It doesn’t have to be an hour out of your day, it could be 10 minutes doing a quick high intensity workout and then you’re done! It’s all about consistency and creating habits rather than just going to the gym when it’s convenient. Personally I’m obsessed with doing abs and booty exercises. I find them fun, easy and most of it you can do with just your body weight!

3. Hydrate Yourself

I think this one speaks for itself, but keeping hydrated helps the body to naturally cleanse out , helps your skin glow and leaves your body feeling great! Consuming enough water should be the first thing you change in your diet.  Water helps lubricate your muscles and joints, helps flush out toxins and waste from your body and it helps improves the vitality of your skin.  At the end of the day, drinking water will help you look and feel better.

4. Get Your Bronze On

There’s nothing worse than showing up to a tropical beach and being the whitest person on the sand…or just blending into the sand completely. You gotta get a little pre-tan happening so that you have the confidence to strip down and frolic into the warm waves. I recommend getting a spray-tan the day before you go.  No harmful UV rays needed! Find a swimsuit that showcases your assets: There are so many swimsuits on the market that flatter different body types. Find a swimsuit that flatters your body, and showcases your assets and spray tan.  Keep looking till you find a swimsuit that makes you feel confident and beautiful!

5. Love Yourself and Be Confident in Your Own Skin

Regardless of your shape and size you will NEVER be happy or feel bikini body ready unless you can truly love who you are as a person first. Lets face it, most of us will never look like a Victoria Secret swimsuit model.  Learn to be OK with that, and to appreciate your body just the way it is. That does not mean that you shouldn’t work to improve your body, but learn how to appreciate it every step of the way.  If you have curves OWN IT, and if you are skin and bone, own that too! Everyone was created differently and beautifully! Stop comparing your body to others, and learn how to love your strengths, and your flaws. If you truly want to feel good in your own skin every day, it comes to being able to look at yourself in the mirror and boldly say the words “You are beautiful” even when you don’t feel like it! Surround yourself with people that encourage and support you! You can never gain healthy self-love just from people complimenting you. It has to come from within YOU!