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Step 1
Decide how much of your body you want to tan. Unless you intend to hit the beach in one of those teeny bikinis--which would seem to negate your need for a bronzer--you probably don't need an all over tan. Perhaps all you want to bronze are your arms, legs, face and the upper portion of your body or some portion(s) thereof. Perhaps all you care about is a little color in the face. Whatever your ultimate decision, it may well have an impact on which bronzer you choose.
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Step 2
Decide how deep of a tan you want to achieve with your bronzer. That will also have an impact on the choices you make.
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Step 3
Determine how well a skin exfoliator works for you. he truth is that skin exfoliators don't work the same on everyone. Some skin types allow excess dead skin removal fairly easily while others seem to want to hang on to it for some reason. You may have to try several different exoliators before you find one that will work for you or you may have to find a bronzer that will still work if you can't remove all of the dead skin that you want.
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Step 4
Use microdermabrasion to remove dead skin cells from the face and neck area. You can also opt to use this type of exfoliation for the more sensitive areas of the body such as the hands and feet or if your skin, as a whole, tends to be sensitive.
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Step 5
Choose micro minerals or powders for the most bronze control in the facial area. Most cosmetic companies now make mineral make-ups, including bronzers, that can be layered on softly, heavily, or anywhere in between for the most perfect facial color ever. Many of these type of bronzers come in variegated colors that allow you to customize them to fit your skin perfectly. Others come in a variety of single colors, from light to dark, that you can choose from to get the exact tan you desire.
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Step 6
Choose bronze gels for a sheer tint of bronze color in the facial area that can be removed and redone anytime you want. Those with fair skin should stick with lighter shades, while those with medium to darker skin tones can opt for deeper shades.
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Step 7
Choose bronze creams made especially for the face in order to add gradual color, over time, like those that are made for the body in general. Most are made to make certain that you get just the right color for you.
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Step 8
Choose leg bronzers if all you want to color is your legs so that you can skip the stockings during the heat of summer. Most of the most effective leg bronzers come in a colored mousse or spray that lets you see where the bronzer is going in order to achieve an even tan. These come in a variety of shades so that you can go as light or dark as you want. These bronzers can also be used on arms for a short-term tan that is easy to remove at the end of the day.
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Step 9
Choose a tinted bronzing moisturizer for a slight bronzed look that is as gradual as the sun's exposure would be over time. There are several cosmetic companies that make these bronzing moisturizers for merely pennies on the dollar.
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Step 10
Choose a self-tanning bronzer for an all over the body tan (with the exception of the face). These come in many different types delivery systems. There are mists, sprays, oils, mousses, creams and gels. Most come in a variety of colors such as light, light to medium, medium, medium to dark, dark, and dark to deep. Many have "show as you go" colors that allow you to make certain the tanner is going on evenly. Almost all of them allow you to get a deeper color with each subsequent application.
