If you know me, then you know that I do not tan. I’m serious. I only freckle. It’s called being Irish. But, growing up in San Diego, I longed for that beautifully bronzed skin. I was always a little confused how my Malibu Barbie was so tan and I was so…not. My quest for the perfect tan was crushed time and time again.
In middle school (before the tan technologies we have today), I would self-tan my skin and it was always just a hot, streaky, orange mess. When I was 13, I would lay out with my friend Lindsay in Del Mar with baby oil (i know, so awful) and lemon juice for our wanna-be-blonde hair. After a few hours of baking in the sun, I would glance over to find Lindsay looking like a relaxed, platinum blonde, sun-goddess. I, on the other hand, always just ended up pink, peeling, in pain and smelling like lemon car freshener. I finally just gave up and have since come to terms with the fact that I definitely cannot get tan.
I’m totally ok with it though because I’m proud to say that I’ve completely mastered the art of the spray tan. And well, we all know that the sun causes some serious wrinkles (no thank you!)—I would rather rock the faux-glow, wear gigantic floppy hats, and embrace my baby fair skin, than look like a pair of old leather shoes by the time I’m 30.
BUT, I do live in Southern California and it’s virtually unthinkable to not go to the beach with friends or lounge poolside and get a little sun. If I completely avoided the sun, I probably wouldn’t have much of a social life. So, whenever I do pretend that I totally enjoy “getting tan” and head to the beach, I have to use the best of the best when it comes to sunscreen. I never-ever want to get burned! I recently discover MDSolarSciences (www.mdsolarsciences.com)–AH-MAZING. Now, I know it’s just sunscreen, but for me, I want to full-on sun protection and I also want my skin (especially my face) to remain clear and lovely. This line of super-SPF-powered gels, sprays, lotions, and even a cute Sport Stick is literally the best kind of sunscreen for a girl like me–doesn’t clog pores, all-natural, and was created by physicians who specialize in skin cancer prevention.
My favorite is the Tinted Gel– SPF 40 and goes on smooth like a primer. Water resistant + a hint of color means you can wear it under the sun and by the water and it won’t sweat or smear right off (great for that no-make-up, make-up look that all those gorgeous tan, surfer girls have).
I love this line and so will you…If Barbie was Irish, I’m sure she would have lathered-up with it too.
Happy Sunning!
XO