TANNING GUIDE 

One of the most important steps of the Grace & Physique Round is the process of Tanning. You are not only judged on skin tone, but the tone of your skin can make it or break it for you when defining your muscles. It is crucial to understand that Stage Lighting WASHES YOU OUT!!! I have often seen people enter their first contest and although they look great, you'd never know because they were washed out on stage. The tanning bed is unfortunately still a popular way to tan, but even with a base tan you will still most likely need tanner. Even dark skinned and black women need tanners! Very dark black women may not need one, but you should try to even out your skin tone as much as possible. I choose not to use a tanning bed because they are very harmful to your skin. The rays burn your skin and eventually the skin looses elasticity resulting in a 70 year old body at age 50. Of course Skin Cancer is another deterrent. Without a base tan what do you do? Self Tan! There are hundreds of brands of tanners available starting around $8 up to $30 or more (I've never tried anything over $27). There is also the option of Mystic Tan Booths where you enter a booth and it sprays on self-tanner and there is airbrush tanning, which I have never tried. If you aren't good at applying the tanner yourself, the Mystic Tan would be a great option.  I have tried the following brands: Tan Perfect, Banana Boat, Coppertone, Mary Kay, Maybelline, Neutrogena. Lancôme, Estee Lauder, Au Courant, Pro-Tan, Jan Tana Bronzer & Competition Tan. My favorite used to be Banana Boat Deep Dark available at a decent price. However, I tried Lancôme's Flash Bronzer and have used it ever since. It is more expensive, but goes on very smoothly with a nice color.

The following is in my competition tanning bag:

Lancôme Flash Bronzer in Dark

Banana Boat or Neutrogena in Deep Dark

* I use latex gloves when applying my self-tanner. This keeps the tanner off the palms of my hands. After I'm done, I take the gloves off and put some tanner on the back of my hand and rub the backs together. Most competition tanners come with a brush or sponge, but I still prefer the glove method. I may use the brush to lightly tan the insides of my fingers.

* If you are not flexible enough to reach your back you can buy a lotion applicator. I found one at Wal-Mart. It looks like a back scrubber with a long handle, but it has a sponge pad on the end. It works great! If you are not a modest person, you may have someone apply the tanner for you.

Step 1: I start self-tanning a few days prior to the show. Using competition tanners too early will dry your skin out. Shower, Shave and Exfoliate Well. Do not put on lotion. Apply tanner to clean skin.

Step 2: I use the Lancôme during the day because it doesn't smell as strong as the more inexpensive brands. Keep in mind however, they all have a scent. It will wash out of your clothes, but wear older ones if you prefer.

Step 3: I apply a coat before bedtime. I may use a cheaper brand at night because I don't care about the smell at that point. This step may aggravate your husband if he doesn't like the smell! Also beware that just touching your arm to his skin all night may leave him with unasked for tan skin!

Step 4: If I am flying to my competition I do not wear any tanner on the plane! Your fellow passengers will thank you. If I am driving I will wear tanner. If it is one day before I put on Pro-Tan. However, I still put on the self tanner first because it helps moisturize the skin while continuing to give you a base tan.

Step 5: Before going to bed I apply another coat of the cheaper self-tanner and Pro-Tan

Step 6: Competition Day: I have to take a shower in the morning so after my shower I apply a coat of Lancôme to moisturize, a coat of Pro-Tan if there is time and a coat of Jan Tana Bronzer or Competition Tan. The Jan Tana is very dark so you may not need anymore. Most of it washes off after showering so if you have finals the next day you may have to apply another coat. However, since you've already been applying Pro-Tan and Self-Tanner, you're skin will remain pretty dark.

Step 7: Competition Day: WEAR OLD CLOTHES & TAKE YOUR TANNERS IN YOUR BAG!!!

You may need to touch up at the show! Sweating in your costume may leave blotches on your tanned skin or you may accidentally get splashed with water. No problem, just touch it up and you'll be set. After all my tanner is applied I then put on my Lancôme Flash Bronzer for Legs. It gloves you a glittery golden glow all over. You may wish to use a spray glitter instead.

* After step 7 you will feel like you are so dark, but when you step on stage you will look normal!

* Don't forget to tan your hands and feet as well as your ears! Your ears may be done with makeup.

* Jan Tana and Pro-Tan will be all over your clothes. It should come out, but I wouldn't wear white. It will also come off on the sheets so the hotel may request you bring your own. Usually this isn't a problem, but I typically wear sweats to minimize it. Clean up after yourself in the bathroom if you get tanner on the walls and floor. Better than being charged for it!