Alex Drummond has shared a lot over the years about her skincare routine. And though it has evolved over the years, there has remained one constant: her love of a summery glow. But that doesn't mean baking in the sun for hours at at time. In fact, she's very careful not to get too exposed. “We inherited my mom’s fair skin, and from day one she has stressed the importance of wearing sunscreen,” she says of her summer skin routine.
So how does she get that glow up? If you follow Alex, you already know her secret: fake tanner! She's a fan of both spray tans and self-tanners to apply at home. But you can't just go into either process without some prep beforehand, because you'll risk being blotchy or streaky or very obviously orange.
In a recent Q&A on Instagram while baby Sofia was napping, one of Alex's followers asked her for spray tan tips. Since she is the tanning guru, she happily obliged with easy-to-follow advice:
First, "shave and exfoliate the day before." Removing hair and dead skin cells creates a smooth surface so that the color adheres easier and more evenly. Second, and she can't stress this enough: "MOISTURIZE EVERY DAY when you have tan on." Again, keeping your skin as smooth and as even as possible will help prevent streaks and cracks in the color. So even as it fades, it fades evenly.
If you're deciding between a professional spray tan and a self-tanner, Alex has advice for both. Her recommendation for a spray tan is Sugared + Bronzed, which has 38 locations in major metropolitan areas. "They use an amazing formula that doesn't smell bad and isn't too orange looking."
As for self-tanner, she's remained very consistent over the years with her love of St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. Depending on how dark you want the color to be, you can leave it on for one, two, or three hours. Her suggestion for even application? "Use a brush to apply on your face and hands." Those spots can be a little tricky, so the brush helps coat them more evenly.
So there you have it! Shave, exfoliate, moisturize and you'll be on your way to that dewy, summery glow without laying in the sun. You can shop Alex's favorite product suggestions below.
Alex's Go-To Products for Glow Up
Tula Skin Care 24-7 Hydrating Day & Night Cream
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
St. Tropez Luxe Double Sided Applicator Self-Tan Mitt
AnnMarie Mattila is the Senior Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering a wide range of topics from food and cooking to home, beauty, style, and more.
