ASK A GROOVY GAL
TFG DEPUTY EDITOR AND BEAUTY DIRECTOR CHELSEA KAPLAN GIVES YOU THE GOODS ON
GETTING GORGEOUS
 |
|
||||||||||||||
| I want to fake a little color before I head to a friend’s wedding in the Bahamas. Should I get a spray tan? I’m afraid to use self-tanner because the last time I did, I ended up with orange palms, elbows knees and feet.–Lauren, Summit, NJ | ||
| If applied correctly, a faux tan can leave you looking naturally bronzed and glowing. If done incorrectly, you may be mistaken for Q-Bert’s younger sister. As you’ve had a scary run-in with self tanner in the past, I’d avoid another go-‘round. To get beautifully bronzed in a snap, I recommend locating a tanning salon near you that offers a Mystic Tan machine, which will spray your entire body with a fine mist of natural-looking, quick-drying self-tanner. A single session will probably run you about $20 and will take only a few minutes. A tip: before stepping into the booth, use a Repelle Skin Shield Wand, a lipstick-sized tube of invisible skin protectant, to coat your palms, heels, elbows and knees ($4.99, www.walgreens.com). This step is a true must, as it will keep the tanner from staining those pigment-grabbing areas. If you have a little more time and want absolutely perfect results, head to a spa that offers a self-tanner application service. My favorite is the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa’s St. Tropez body bronzer treatment, where a pro slathers you in self-tanner, not missing a spot, then allows you to relax while you dry ($140, go to www.reddoorspas.com for locations). If you’d prefer a chemical and funky smell-free option and are in the New York City area, stop by Manhattan’s Smooth Synergy for an Organic Spray Tan ($65, www.smoothsynergy.com). This all-natural and completely odor-free treatment uses mineral salt bronzers and organic cosmetic tanning agent DHA 20 to prouce a truly natural-looking tan that will last around five to seven days. The application process takes around ten minutes, and immediately afterwards you’ll notice the results that will continue to develop over the next five to 12 hours. No matter which bronzing option you choose, don’t even think about hitting a tanning bed (that is, of course, unless you’re into the idea of skin cancer). |  |
|
| I bought a new pair of shoes that I love, but the first time I wore them, I got the worst blisters on my heels. What’s the best way to break in new shoes?—Natalie, Denver, CO |
|
| Thanks to winter weather, my skin is seriously dull. Is there anything I can do to brighten it? I’m not sure I can wait until spring.—Emily, New York, NY | ||
 |
Perhaps it’s the cold weather-hating Southerner in me, but I’ve always felt that everything is so much more blah in the winter, skin (unfortunately) included. Luckily, there are some good skin SOS options. Bremenn Research Labs, the folks who make ultra-popular StriVectin, recently introduced a new product called Lumedia Facial Brightener, a hydroquinone-free lotion that combines a blend of pigment-lightening agents specifically developed for overall facial brightening ($90 www.sephora.com). It may sound too good to be true, but the stuff really works. Use it twice a day under your moisturizer (you do use moisturizer, right?). Even though it’s hidden under layers of sweaters and coats, don’t forget your body, too. Cellex C-‘s Speed Peel & Polish Gel gently and effectively removes dull, dry skin cells, leaving your skin glowing. Apply it to your scaly skin before showering, then rinse off ($75, www.amazon.com). Winter skin, schminter skin! |  |
|
There’s nothing worse than plunking down all kinds of money for cute shoes that end up waging war on your feet. While many may advise wearing them around the house with socks for a few days before you bust them out on the street, let’s be honest: who really does that? Before I slip on a new pair of shoes, I stick a Heavenly Heelz insert from Foot Petals into the heel portion of each shoe ($6.95, 
