Get Your Legs Out Again - And Love It

Now that I live in a place with seasons again, I can officially declare it Legs Out Season. Actually, it’s gotten a bit cooler lately in Seattle, but warm weather IS approaching. I am the palest person I know, and my legs are even paler than the rest of my body. This is fine! I feel fine about it! Except sometimes when I wear dresses and I suddenly feel like my legs look odd being a completely different shade than the rest of me.

This is why I have become an expert in self tanners, bronzing lotions, and other trickery that makes you look like someone who has a uniform skin tone. There are two products that I think are the best, both because they work, and because they’re affordable, easy finds.

Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer is for when you have the forethought to know you’re going to be flashing your gams. Gradual tan moisturizers are my preferred method for non-blindingly white legs, and Jergens is the queen of the bunch. (My true fave is Nivea, and I even wrote about it before, but it’s discontinued.) With a gradual tan lotion, you apply each day (or every other day, or when you remember) and the tan gradually shows up. I usually apply before bed, then go to sleep and wake up with frankly, more human looking legs than I had the night before. The downsides of this method are that you have to think of it before you need it, and DHA, the chemical that makes self-tanner work, has a distinct smell. There are ones with no DHA, there are ones that cover the smell better than others, but, I mean, it is what it is. I think the Jergens lotion smells kind of candy-like, which is tolerable most of the time.

Soap & Glory makes what I think is the best, most affordable tinted body lotion. BUT APPARENTLY they DON’T make it anymore, which is absolute nonsense. I wrote a review of it here, and I stand by what I said. This is perfect for when you have NOT planned ahead and want your legs to look toned and, you know, the same color as the rest of your body. The downside to these products is that you have to wash them off at the end of the day (or risk your sheets also getting a little tanned), and they sometimes feel a little stiff, sticky, or artificial on the skin. Since you can’t get Soap & Glory’s fabulous tinted lotion anymore, here are some alternatives.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs (both the spray and the lotion) is THE leg makeup. This stuff is a cult classic for a reason. If you are insecure about your gam situation, have some of this at the ready. I will say, I think this stuff feels like makeup, and I would NOT be able to sleep with it on (and, again, it will leave marks on your sheets). But if I were going to say, an event, or something where I wanted to look and feel my best, this is what I’d use.

My mom has used Nars Body Glow and said it was great, but it’s expensive.

For about the same $$ as the Nars, you could get this Sun-Kissed Body Glow Oil from Kora Organics that looks like it has a real color payoff AND you get more product for your money.

Now get out there and show off those beautiful legs!