Being born and raised in Miami, I took the warm, sunny weather and beaches for granted. It wasn’t until I moved to New York that I realized I had also been taking sun-kissed skin for granted. Since I’d always lived in a sunny climate, I never experienced the effects of little-to-no direct sun for months on my skin. As the deep, cold winter set in I lost shades of color — and I wanted my glow back!

Fortunately, I go to Miami at least once a winter for a little fun in the sun… but what about the rest of the cold-weather months? I’ve brushed bronzer over my cheeks and forehead.  I’ve also used a slightly darker foundation to achieve a warmer tone. These were all great makeup tricks for my face but the rest of my body would just have to be ignored.

As a woman of color, it didn’t cross my mind to go to any other measures to get the color I craved, but then I got the opportunity to try Fake Bake self-tanner.

I had second thoughts when the package first arrived. I didn’t think this product was necessarily formulated for my skin color and didn’t want to end up looking like a black version of a Jersey Shore cast member! Fake Bake sat in the corner for a week or two. But one evening, as I packed to go to Miami the next morning, I decided to go for it. Not sure what my train of thought was… perhaps if the fake tan was a travesty I could correct it with a real tan?

The Fake Bake Flawless Gift Set included Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid, a professional application mitt, spay pump and plastic gloves — and a bonus lip gloss and compact mirror. I read the instructions, which seemed easy enough, and then got started.

With purple, latex gloves on, I sprayed the liquid on my skin and massaged it in with the mitt. I alternated that application technique with spraying it directly onto the mitt, depending on which part of my body I was trying to reach. I even used it on my face (since it’s safe to use there). As I rubbed the lightly pina colada-scented lotion into my skin, I could see my impulse decision was a good one. The application process was quick and not the least bit messy.

The instructions said it was best to let it sit over night. I was a little worried about leaving stains on my sheets. Even though it rinsed out very easily from the mitt and the instructions said the organic color pigment wouldn’t stain fabrics because it’s not a stain or dye, I put on black pants and a long-sleeved shirt to be on the safe side. In the morning, I woke up, took a shower and rinsed off the excess. The result was a natural, glowing tan that I was extremely pleased with.

The instructions say that using it before tanning in the sun will accelerate the results, which was true in my experience. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and so glad I discovered this secret for warming up my skin tone when there’s no sun to be found.

For more info, visit www.fakebake.com.