Beauty Binge: Jergens Natural Glow

Price- $8-$10

Where to buy- Walgreens, Target, Wal-mart and the like.

This product is a gradual self-tanner.  This just means that it’s not an insta-bronze product that you’d apply before going out at night and rinse off the next morning in the shower.  This product creates a subtle color that builds every time you use it and won’t immediately disappear with bathing.  I’ve used both the lotion and the mouse (foam), but I’m currently favoring the foam for it’s quick absorbency.

This product works best on clean, smooth skin.  I apply after showering.  After applying, it’s best to wait 5-10 minutes to let it dry before putting clothes on.  This particular type (foam) dries super quickly, but I still wait a few minutes just so I don’t get the stuff all over my clothes or create any weird lines.  You can apply this to your face if you’d like or you can purchase their special little bottle just for faces (which I suspect is really just a clever marketing tactic).  I opt out of both in favor of some bronzer over my foundation as needed.  I have too many face products already, and I don’t know that my skin can handle it.

Pros:

• Cheap
• Easy to use, low-maintenence
• Creates a pretty color (not orange) when used sparingly
• Color appears quickly
• Great alternative to tanning beds and sun
• Leaves skin feeling smooth and soft, and the hint of sparkle really does make your skin “glow”

Cons:

• The smell (not totally terrible, but very distinct and you will smell it all day long, trust me)
• It will leave behind birth-mark-looking spots on your body if you happen to accidentally leave anything un-rubbed
• Because I wash my hands after apply (as you should) I have two-toned wrists
• Will leave skin under nails yellowed unless you are careful to prevent that
• Can leave a little color behind on clothes/underwear/bedding from time to time, but it usually comes right out and is nothing like normal self-tanners

Helpful Hint:  Because of the smell and the fact that I often use this product in the summer when my skin becomes very sweaty (yummy, I know), I started putting baby powder on the places where my body tends to get the grossest (behind knees, under bra, lower back, etc).  This not only helps camouflage smell, but it seems to create a layer between your skin and clothing so you don’t stick to/leave behind marks on clothes.

Overall I think this is a great product.  I’ve been using this line for about 6 years now and I love being able to get some color without tanning beds  (which I unfortunately have still used some) and sunlight (which I unfortunately don’t get much of ).  I was just at the lake this weekend, for example,  and loved that I was able to feel a little sun-kissed when putting on my suit.  Great stuff.