Paint Yo’ Face: Tan Terrors and Oompa-Loompas

Oompa loompa doompadee doo Alberto has bronzing tips for you

It's finally that time of year, the sun is shining and the days are longer! Time to put those god-awful heavy and atrocious winter coats away, get rid of that extra weight, AND STEP INTO THE SUN TO GET A TAN!  Kidding, tanning is bad for your skin.

Being from sunny California J'adore the sun, but of course it is the #1 cause for premature aging and skin cancer, so let me give you a reality check: 

• As tan and gorgeous as you may look all tanned, you will eventually turn into a wrinkled raisin and develop awful sun spots all over your body, therefore; wear a high sunscreen, UV protection 35 or above to avoid laser treatments down the road. 

• There are many ways to get a sun kissed glow without having to put your skin through the dangers of UV exposure, or without having to step into any of those classy Boston beaches where the locals like to hang out with their beer guts hanging out and C-section scars showing. It really is not cute! 

One of the ways to get that "I just came back from the Caribbean" glow is by exfoliating your body with a gentle exfoliate (none of that St. Ives abrasive apricot scrub) to remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation giving your skin a smooth texture so that self tanners can be applied evenly without streaks or patches. I love the Clarins mousse self-tanner because it gradually develops into the skin, doesn't transfer on your clothes, and lasts a good week. 

Living in Boston…or the east coast in general, seeing an oompa-loompa is almost unavoidable. This town is littered with victims of bad self tanners, too much bronzer, and most of the time the wrong shade of bronzer.  And let me tell you, there is nothing more revolting than that orange skin with the "nude" lip. Not only does it make you look outdated and gross, but it also makes teeth look bad. So please avoid that look! 

Thankfully Giorgio Armani just launched "Liquid Summer" a liquid bronzer with a texture as light as silk with fusion technology that will instantly bronze the skin with a lasting glow that fits light to dark medium skin tones. I personally apply 3 drops to the hollow of my hand, pick it up with a bronzer brush in circular motions and then apply to the areas of the face where the sun would naturally kiss you. The best part is that you can over do this bronzer and never get that orange hue. 

Along with this gorgeous summer creation, Armani also launched 3 fusion blushes with the exact texture as the bronzer so you can update your make up wardrobe and technique! Put away those cakey powder products and step into the wild side with liquid textures that evaporate upon application giving you a seamless long lasting application that makes the skin glow! 

  

Alberto Cervantes, originally from sunny California, is a Giorgio Armani Face Designer living in Boston. An industry veteran, Alberto was recently featured in Elle Magazine as the Best Make Up Artist in Massachusetts.  With work ranging from celebrities, editorials and weddings to Fashion Week, Alberto is also a do-gooder who works with a number of local charities.