How To Fake A Glow This Winter

Just because summer’s long gone doesn’t mean we have to forgo glowing skin. But there’s a fine line between ghostly pale and unnaturally tan in the middle of a snowstorm, and you don’t want to cross it. Here, get our tips for rocking a sun-kissed vibe the right way this winter. The key takeaway: Subtlety is everything.

Glow Girl

Be Tactful With Your Tools

First things first: Regardless of the method you decide to use, always exfoliate beforehand and apply products with a foam mitt.

Go For Gradual Results

There's no getting around it: Deep bronze skin in the dead of winter always looks fake. Opt for a gradual tanner to build subtle color, which looks more natural.

Be Tactful With Your Time

If you'd rather not wait for the color to build over the course of days, look for an express formula that lets you control the development time. That way you can wash it off when the shade is just right.

Don't Forget Your Face

Experiment with a tanning serum made specifically for the face—one that moisturizes while slowly building a glow (over a few days). Apply it wherever you'd tan naturally—forehead, bridge of the nose, cheekbones and chest—and blend outward with your fingers.

Say Yes To A Spur-Of-The-Moment Tan

Sometimes you don't really know how pale you are until you throw on your favorite LBD. For times like those, have an instant bronzer on hand. It'll wash off when you shower.