Ugly legs - what to do?

[Disneyonmymind]

I am looking pale and white and would like to use a self tanner to put some light color on my legs especially. I will probably get a light tan in WDW, despite the layers of sunblock I apply. But I would feel better wearing shorts with a wee bit of tan on my legs.

I've never used a self-tanner. Anybody have one that they'd recommend?

Thanks,
Jackie

 

[HLAuburn]

Have you looked into a Mystic Tan? Its a spray mist tan you can get at a lot of tanning salons now. You go into a private both, and the machine sprays you with a mist of self tanner. I did it twicew last year and really like the results - not orange at all, looked even etc.

Haven't tried any other self tanners.

 

[ophie]

The new Jergens lotion is fantastic, but demand is so high that it's hard to find.

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Gee, I am glad I am not the only one with this problem.

Ophie: What is with the Jergens? Is it lotion with color in it? That sounds nice and easy. Is it a light color?

HLAuburn: I could not help but to laugh when I read your suggestion of Mystic Tan. It reminded me of a funny episode on Friends with that tanning spray. Actually, I did not know that it really existed. Which makes it all the more funny to me of how stupid I am! I have never been to a tanning salon. How long does the spray stay on you? I would not want my face done, so would that look too stupid? I mean, would there be a line that would show as to where the color stopped on me? Sorry so many questions, but I hate to lay in the sun. I usually stay ghostly all year round. My legs ARE pretty scarey looking!

 

[dzneelvr]

Go ahead and buy any product that you can find...I've used everything from NO-AD to Coppertone. My secret is to mix the self tanner with my moisturizer one-to-one for even coverage. by doing this for a few nights after your shower or bath and then again in the morning as you dress, you'll see some color.
But by and large, relax--enjoy your color whatever it is. And think of how much better your skin will be aging than those who've tanned for decades and have skin like elephant hide. Keep the sunscreen handy so you don't burn--that's most important.

 

[ophie]

Ophie: What is with the Jergens? Is it lotion with color in it? That sounds nice and easy. Is it a light color?

It's really easy. A daily lotion that gradually adds color.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Here's the product site. There's even a coupon.

Neutrogena has one too.

Neutrogena Build-a-Tan™ Gradual Sunless Tanning Lotion

Jergens is slighty easier to use in that it doesn't recommend exfoliation, but the Neutrogena is easier to find right now.

Hope this helps.

 

[kimnscott]

I have never used a tanner but I think it should not matter what others think Be proud of all you have.
I have ugly legs too vericose veins and all. I just don't look at them.Ha-Ha
have a great trip however you go.
kim

 

[Brendita]

Ugly legs here to.
4 kids will do that to ya.
33 32 26 11
Big ugly v veins & all.
Also white as a ghost (British).
At least I'm still a size 12.
When I go to the water parks I go to have fun.
I could care less what people think of my legs.
At my age if I only have ugly legs.
I can deal with it.

 

[Stephres]

I am allergic to the sun and have to be very vigilant about applying sun screen. Well, while at Disney I missed the back of my legs one day and had a very ugly red rash all over them. I was contemplating wearing jeans or shorts the next day and my husband was laughing at me. Do you honestly think anyone at Disney is going to be looking at your legs, he asked me. So do whatever is comfortable, but realize that there is enough to look at without worrying about people looking at your legs!

 

[Tammi67]

I use a L'oreal self-tanner that is a gel. I get a natural looking tan, not orange. I have been very happy with it. I only use it on my legs, since they are ghostly white.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I am going to the store today and I will look for one of these products. (Can't see myself going to a salon - it's just not me too modest, I guess, lol).

Please don't take this wrong as I'm not trying to be controversial but some posters have advised me not to worry about what others think, and I have to say that I agree that nobody, other than my family, will be looking at MY legs, nor do I care what strangers think. Nor do I spend excess energy worrying over my looks. However, I do care how I look and I don't like looking at my ghostly white legs. I have other "issues" that I will also try to address but it's for me (and maybe my loved ones), not for others. I am surprised to hear others' comments that suggest people try to look their best "for others".

Especially when I go on vacation, I like to look my "best", which, believe me, it's not all that great. But I go out and buy some new clothes, get a new haircut, and polish my toenails. It's fun and it makes me feel good. I thought most of us girls did this, no? I certainly wouldn't go schlepping around WDW like I do around home half the time.

Anyway, we are all different. If I didn't feel this way about vacation, I certainly could get packed a lot quicker, lol. Maybe I will try to reform. ???? Nope, sorry, can't do it. Too old to change now, lol.

Jackie

 

[Merriwind]

I have to admit it, I am addicted to sunless tanner!! I like to have a little color, but that just won't happen naturally, so I slather on the sunscreen and then sunless tanner (wish someone would combine the two).

Anyway, my advice is to look for a product that is not a bronzer. I find that they are harder on my skin and that they are 10x more likely to stain my clothing. One of my faves, believe it or not, is No-Ad Sunless Tanner. It has a pleasant smell (some smell awful), covers evenly, nice color and it's a bargain to boot! It comes in a yellow bottle. I haven't seen it here (Syracuse NY) this year, but I have seen one with a bronzer. Hope the original returns... Enjoy your new tan!

 

[lulugirl]

I like Loreal' sublime, self tanner.

 

[DebIreland]

I think the important thing is to exfoliate your skin first! Actually that's vital.
I've only used tanning creams twice - the first time was a disaster because my skin was dry from having been covered up all winter. Same these days - my legs haven't seen the sun since 2002 Anyway, my sister in law (who's a beauty therapist) warned me to exfoliate but I didn't bother and I had huge patches of dry varying shades of 'tan' everywhere Not a pretty sight. lol!!

Here's a link to an article on how to exfoliate:
http://www.tellmehowto.net/article70.html

I bet my legs are whiter than yours. I'm in Ireland and we don't see much sun - shield thine eyes Florida, here I come

 

[all4fun]

We used the Neutragena brand product before our last trip and it worked great! I just wanted to reitterate to exfoliate first and also apply plain moisturizer to the areas that absorb the product faster like elbows, knees and where your ankle bones are. That really helps keep it even looking in those areas. I would also suggest wearing latex or vinyl gloves otherwise you might end up with orange palms.

I agree, it feels good to look nice. I didn't do it for others - I could care less about what they think of my legs. I did it for me! Have a great trip!

 

[Tammi67]

I am going to the store today and I will look for one of these products.

Well, let us know what you chose and how it turned out!

 

[swimer3]

I use Jergens and it is wonderful! i tried the Neutrogena stuff and it came out all blotch. A tip is that wait about 15 minutes before you sit or anything. i used some and i had sheet marks on my legs because i went to bed.

 

[HotMama]

I could not help but to laugh when I read your suggestion of Mystic Tan. It reminded me of a funny episode on Friends with that tanning spray. Actually, I did not know that it really existed. Which makes it all the more funny to me of how stupid I am! I have never been to a tanning salon. How long does the spray stay on you? I would not want my face done, so would that look too stupid? I mean, would there be a line that would show as to where the color stopped on me?

I have done Mystic Tan a few times. The tan does last a while...over a week, then it starts to fade slowly. But if you will be swimming in a pool, it does start to wash away faster. I don't think there is anyway to not get your face sprayed and I think it would look silly if you tried. I live in Ohio and barely get any good sun here and couldn't go in a tanning bed because I was pregnant, so I did Mystic Tan and was pleased...it gave me the self-confidence I needed to wear a bikini in public (I was newly pregnant at the time for the bikini, LOL)

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Hello to all my ugly legged friends!!!!! Quick story: I was walking my son in his stroller a few years back and someone actually yelled out of their car to me, "Hey chicken legs!". My legs are not only really thin but they are full of vericose veins, white as a ghost, and one time I went to get my legs waxed before vacation and the lady laughed at my knobby(sp?) knees and said I could hurt someone with those things!! Needless to say, I do not like to show them off too much, but I do thank God that they work!!!
Anyway, thanks for all the advice. I wish I could have found the Jergans today but could not so I bought the Neutrogena Build-a- Tan. I will try it this weekend.
P.S. Since I wear pants most of the time the only person seeing my legs would be me. So, I also am doing it for myself only.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi Disneyonmymind, I was thinking the same thing as I read some of the replies. I believe in the old saying when you look better, you feel better. Have fun getting ready for your vacation!

That said, I use a few different sunless tanners. I usually want a instant tan look for my legs, so I go with something with a bronzer (provided I'm not wearing light colored shorts or plan on riding Kali River Rapids that day..lol), so for the legs, I use Au Courant (web site order). It is expensive, but I love it. After the bronzer washes off in the shower, the sunless tanner in Au Courant does take effect, so you still have a tan. I do not use Au Courant on my face or chest because it tends to grab onto imperfections or any roughness. I prefer not to use bronzers at all, but on legs, it just looks better quicker and hides a multitude of imperfections. A sponge is provided. You need to wear gloves if a bronzer is involved and for any sunless tanner, wash your hands right afterwards.

So for the rest of my exposed body parts including my face, I use either Murad Sunless Tanner (web site order) or Clarins Sunless Tanner (better department stores). I like those because they are not drastic in color. They build up more gradually. I have also used Nuetrogena in the past with good results. It's just that sometimes the cheaper the product, the more likely it will streak, but nothing is perfect. Like the other poster said, exfoliate. Sunless tanners are a pain in the neck, but if it makes you feel better about the way you look, great.

When I was a kid, part of the fun of vacation time was the preparation. My mom bought us a few new summer outfits and maybe some new shoes or swimsuit. These were our special vacation clothes. I still remember some of them. I still love to buy special outfits just for vacation. I'm with you. It's a fun "girl" thing to want to look your best for vacation. I'm not talking dressed up for WDW... I think you know what I mean... that resort look. It's just plain fun. Over on the DCL cruise board, this type of preparation is just as much fun as planning the cruise.

Tink

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. Please don't take this wrong as I'm not trying to be controversial but some posters have advised me not to worry about what others think, and I have to say that I agree that nobody, other than my family, will be looking at MY legs, nor do I care what strangers think. Nor do I spend excess energy worrying over my looks. However, I do care how I look and I don't like looking at my ghostly white legs.
Jackie