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St Tropez Tan Makes Bikini Season Better!

St Tropez Tan: Part of my bikini body routine

Staying healthy and in shape is super important to me. But of course there are a ton of things I do to keep my bikini body ready (BESIDES the St Tropez tan!). I generally maintain a pretty healthy diet, but those of you that know me also know I’m a huge fan of the occasional bacon cheeseburger and fries! Come on, a girl has to live a little. Below are the basics of my bikini body routine.

Step 1)

Exercise. I start out at least five days a week working out. Whether it be running on the treadmill in my gym, doing Barry’s Bootcamp or, one of my all time favorite workouts in the comfort of my own home, Brazil Butt Lift. Ha, yes, I was one of those people that watched that infomercial for hours on end believing I could get that Victoria Secret body they kept showing over and over again! But, honestly, it’s an amazing workout. Perfect for the ideal bikini body! The key to exercise is that it doesn’t matter where you do it; outdoors, the gym or your living room, you just have to DO IT! Ok, I’m not plugging Nike here, although I love my Nike’s 🙂

Step 2)

Exfoliate. This is SO important ladies: I exfoliate my body daily. First, I start with dry brushing my entire body before jumping in the shower each morning. I begin at my ankles and work my way up. It gets my circulation flowing and also helps remove dead skin. Once in the shower, I use my favorite drugstore body wash by Soapsoap. It’s their Coconut Exfoliating Scrub and is a basic staple that I’ve been using for at least 5 years.

Last but not least, probably my favorite product in this post, is the BECCA Coffee Scrub. I use this 2-3 times a week on my problem area, my bum! After scrubbing, let it sit on the skin for at least 5 minutes before washing it off. It immediately helps smooth out my skin and leaves it virtually “dimple free.”

Step 3)

Target that cellulite! I have this amazing little tool I ordered on Amazon. I know you have all seen this little contraption and probably think it’s a joke. How could some little circular object with a handle help combat cellulite? But it works! Of course , you have to eat right and exercise, but with regular use it definitely helps break down those pesky lumps and bumps. All you have to do is use it with a great lotion and massage in a circular motion for 5-10 minutes. I normally do it while watching T.V. and it is actually pretty relaxing. Shouldn’t be hard to get the man in your life to help out with that one either! You can also use it with one of my favorite serums by Nivea, Goodbye Cellulite for a little more help, but regular lotion works great too!

Step 4)

Moisturize. This is the key to beautiful, healthy skin. I have been moisturizing my entire body, head to toe, for as long as I can remember. Starting in elementary school.  No joke! Use a moisturizer that is for your body type and go from there. My all time favorite body lotion is Nivea Essentially Enriched for extra dry skin. I have been using this lotion for at least 10 years, maybe longer. Also, you want to keep up the sunscreen to prevent sun damage to your skin!

I know we all want that golden tan, but the sun does so much damage to your skin that it will break down your collagen and will cause premature aging and even worse, could cause skin cancer. Staying out of the sun and wearing sunblock have been my saving grace! I still rock an amazing tan, but it’s fake and I LOVE it…so now I’m sure you can guess what my final step is for getting my bikini body ready?

Step 5 – The St Tropez Step

Self Tan. This is one of my favorite steps! Duh! I am obsessed with self tanners. You are all aware by now that this obsession exists. If you follow my blog regularly, you know how many self tanners I have reviewed. Well, my most recent purchase happens to be by the longtime cult favorite tanning company, St. Tropez. I often switch my tanners up just because I love trying different products, and it’s part of my job, but this latest find, St. Tropez Dark Tanning mousse, is just that: DARK! 

If you are new to tanning, you may want to start with something a tad lighter because, with this one, you have to move quickly while applying (that’s why I think it’s perfect for the pros!). But if you have your heart set on the darkest tan I’ve come across in a bottle, the St Tropez tan is the one for you! It instantly gives you a deep, dark, golden tan in minutes.

You will want to make sure you give it at least 5-10 minutes to dry before getting dressed then you’re good to go. I’ve found that the initial color can rub off on your clothes if you sweat, etc, but after 3 hours you can wash it off and you’ll be left with the most beautiful tan on the planet. It is a bit on the pricey side, but it’s oh so worth it! The St Tropez tan is my new go-to.

Step 6)

Grab your bikini (with your St Tropez tan, of course) your sunblock, hat and favorite sunglasses (maybe a cocktail) & head to the pool!

What a perfect way to spend a much deserved day off-

bikini body 8

St. Moriz Dark Tanning Mousse

 

With the final days of Summer upon us and this coming Labor Day weekend, I’ve found the perfect affordable self tanner for this weekends pool party! As a self proclaimed self tanning addict, I’m always trying new tanners. I have tried the St. Moriz tanning lotion in the past and loved it, but the past few months I have been trying to get my hands on the mousse. Every time I go to ULTA they seem to be sold out! This should have been my first clue that this self tanner is pretty darn amazing.I was finally able to snatch up the last bottle they had on the shelf and immediately went home and applied it. This is by far the darkest self tanner I’ve used. In one application, I had a beautiful dark, deep, rich natural looking tan. I applied it with my usual tanning mitt, which I think is a must for a flawless and streak less application. If you are looking for a more subtle tan. this may not be the tanner for you. It is definitely darker than my all time favorite tanner Xen Tan and at a fraction of the price. This bottle of St. Moriz self tanner retails for $12.99 which is a total bargain compared to most self tanners. I pay that much for my Drugstore version by Jergen’s. My advice, if you are able to get your hands on this, stock up! I would say order it on ULTA and buy a few bottles so that you never run out! My only complaint about this tanner, is my white sheets looked like an Umpa Loompa melted in them by morning. But, in all honesty, this seems to be a running theme in my house. Oh the joys of self tanning!

Secrets from The Red Carpet

 

Summer is here and we all know what it’s like to feel less than perfect for a day at the beach! I recently heard how a lot of celebrities do a very basic detox bath a few days prior to an event to reduce bloating and water weight gain. Now, PLEASE consult with your physician before doing this if you have any health conditions. Our bodies build up loads of toxins on a daily basis. From the foods we eat, to alcohol, lifestyle and environmental pollutants, we have a lot of toxins that can slow down and affect our bodies. I had read an article recently on the effects of taking a twenty five minute Epsom Salt bath to release the toxins in our bodies. You should never do this more than once a week, and most people are probably sufficient with one or two times a month at most. I run a bath and put two cups of Epsom Salt in warm bath water. I then set my timer for twenty five minutes, light a candle, sip my tea and listen to relaxing music. The strangest part about this detox is the toxins cause you to perspire rather profusely out the top of your head! The water is not even that hot. It is very important to drink extra water for the next few days following a detox bath so you don’t get dehydrated. I definitely feel like my body is getting rid of the toxins in my system and the days following my detox bath, I often watch my carb intake and eat a lot of protein and leafy greens. I can definitely tell the difference the very next day. Along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, you too can keep your body staying fit, strong, and beautiful from the inside out. After all, a beautiful spirit is the most attractive part of a woman.

Becca Coffee Scrubs & Youblue Grid Layered Bikini

Every once in a while I get to try  a product that simply blows my mind! When I had the opportunity to try the Becca Coffee Body Scrubs I didn’t really know what to expect. I am a huge fan of scrubs in general and had been hearing a lot of buzz around coffee scrubs. Coffee scrubs claim to help combat cellulite and of course soften skin, treat eczema, target acne, stretch marks and other skin imperfections. I was given three different scents to try. Coconut, Peppermint and Strawberry. All three smell simply amazing. I quickly rinse off in the shower and then take two heaping handfuls and gently massage the scrub on my skin, targeting my problem areas. For me that would be my derriere! I leave it on my skin for at least five minutes before rinsing off. What your are left with is beautifully hydrated, glowing skin. It definitely helps combat those stubborn dimples and gets my blood circulating. Now the bikini I’m wearing has quickly become one of my favorite suits this summer. I have even worn the top alone under a revealing jumpsuit. The fit is sexy and comfortable. It is made by a UK company called Youblue and you can also get the scrubs from them as well. Beautiful skin is always the perfect compliment to a sexy swimsuit. The two just go hand in hand. For a limited time you can get 10% off your purchase at www.youblue.co by using the discount code JEN10 Trust me, you will fall in love with these scrubs just as quickly as I have. They are definitely a game changer for sexy summer skin. Hello Summer!

Tanwise Dark Bronzing Sunless Mousse

 

 

I know what you’re thinking…this girl has a major obsession for self tanners. TRUE! The problem is, great self tanners are few and far between. That’s why when I discover a self tanner than actually works, I rave about it. The problem with great self tanners is most of them are pretty pricey. Tanning can become an expensive habit, so I’m constantly on the hunt for a reasonable way to keep my skin looking sun kissed year round. I often times discover these great products by a simple Google search. Which was how I found Tanwise. I was about to order it on Amazon when I realized they sell it at Sally Beauty Supply. Since there is one a few miles from my house, I just made a quick stop and picked it up. Tanwise has a pretty extensive line. Since I was after the darkest version, I went with the Tanwise Dark Bronzing Mousse and it was only $12.99. I will say that this self tanner is DARK! Probably one of the darkest self tanners I’ve ever tried. With that being said, I love the color and it supplies an almost instant tan. The only thing I don’t love is how it wears off. It gets a little blotchy but it’s not enough to discourage me from buying it again. For the price, it is absolutely amazing. You will be blown away by the rich, dark color and this actually smells good too! The only way you can safely rock a tan, is with self tanners. Your skin will thank you years down the road-