Day 3 of Our Trip

It’s kind of bittersweet to be posting this final series of pics from my time in Mexico…I only got back a week ago and yet it feels like I’ve been back for months.  I’m trying to hold onto that stillness and contentment you get from being on vacation for as long as possible, but with school applications, work, and homework creeping up around the corner, I guess I’m going to have to fully plant my feet back on the ground now!

Wearing:

American Apparel dress, Club Monaco earrings,
Urban Outfitters clutch

Club Monaco dress, Urban Outfitters sunnies

I can’t believe my tan has already faded…I went from brown to only slightly golden in the space of a week.  I’ve even thought about spray-tanning – that’s how desperate I’ve become to hold onto my colour.  Yeeks.

And by the way, what are your thoughts on spray-tanning?  I’m one of the biggest sun-worshippers you could meet, but after having had a bad burn or two, I’ve become petrified of skin cancer.  From a vanity standpoint too, I don’t particularly feel like aging my skin anymore than I already have.  I don’t visit tanning beds and am extremely diligent when it comes to applying sunscreen.  That being said, I feel like I look much better when I’m dark as opposed to pale. So what do you think – is spray-tanning a good way of achieving the colour you want without sacrificing your skin or is it just way too fake (and potentially orange) for your taste?   

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30 Comments

  1. 6.1.11

    You look beautiful in all these photo's. That red dress is stunning on you! I am so against tanning beds now (even though I have used them in the past) and always wear a sunscreen with SPF 60 in it! I've never spray-tanned before, I'm worried about looking orange. I have used self-tanner before though. Kiehl's has a really good one.

  2. 6.1.11

    that is a gorgeous red dress!!
    Enter my giveaway!!

  3. 6.1.11

    Beautiful dresses!

    I never used self-tenner…

    http://sweetharvestmoon.blogspot.com

  4. 6.1.11
    Callie said:

    I LOVE spray tanning! I'm incredibly pale and have always feared coming out looking like an Oompa Loompa, but I got a Mystic Tan about a month ago… it was KILLER. I got compliments from everyone at work and church. I looooved it. And it was super quick and easy- I did it on my lunch break at work. They have different shades you can choose from, so you can't go wrong. Definitely recommend!

  5. 6.1.11
    Cara said:

    Wow Alex…you look stunning in that red dress! It is beautiful, and I equally love the Club Monaco dress too…so pretty!
    xo Cara
    http://www.afashionloveaffair.com

  6. 6.1.11

    SPRAY TANS ARE THE WAY TO GO!

    YOU LOOK GORGEOUS IN THESE PHOTOS. LONGING FOR A HOLIDAY…!

    XX

  7. 6.1.11

    What a stunning place!! I'm not sure that I would ever want to leave, that pool looks heavenly and you look gorgeous, gorgeous! Hope you're having a fantastic Wednesday. xx veronika

  8. 6.2.11
    Cee said:

    Vacations always come to an end too soon, don't they 🙁 Seriously though, I think you might have saved the best photos for last, that red dress is really something and I'm always a big fan of your khaki Club Monaco dress. I passed that one up and I'm so sorry I did!

    As far as spray tanning is concerned, my only experiment was disastrous- I ended up looking muddy and awful. I've heard great things about Sally Hansen's airbursh legs and other self-tanners, but I normally just use a Shopper's Drug Mart brand tan building lotion on my legs in the summer for a bit of colour. Speaking of that, after seeing the photos from Friday, I think it might be time to start with that again!
    xox,
    Cee

  9. 6.2.11
    Laksmono said:

    Stunning photos!

  10. 6.2.11
    Laura said:

    Beautiful dress and place!

    About spray tan, I've never used it because I'm so pale and I don't think it would look very natural on me. Anyway I'm also very diligent about sunscreen refers.. many people don't take it seriously.

    xxx

  11. 6.2.11

    Wow, you look stunning in a red dress Alexandra! Actually, you will look beautiful in anything you wear! I think spray tanning or tanning lotions are the choice and they're better than staying out in the sun. I haven't found the best tan lotion though, all the others I've used turned me orange and it takes forever for them to come off! Wishing you an amazing week! xoxoxoo

  12. 6.2.11
    Emilie said:

    I have totally the same!!! I love sunbathing, I used to sit in the sun every minute I could, but then I got a few times really burned and now that I read about skin cancer etc I'm petrified to get it… So I go in the sun with f25 and I put on a lot of sunscreen 🙂 tough spraytanning is nothing for me, it smells so bad… Btw you look gorgeous in every single one of these pictures 🙂

    xxx

    lifeisroyalty.blogspot.com

  13. 6.2.11

    omgosh, u look gorgeous in that red dress!!! i will remember this and try to do this too next time i go to the beach! hehe

    Janelle
    http://barestudy.blogspot.com

  14. 6.2.11

    Hey Alexandra, I am friends with Cara from A Fashion Love affair and herd about you through her blog and I just love your blog and I so enjoyed you Mexico pictures, that where I met my husband!! I also gave you some blog love on mine, if you have some time please check it out!
    http://www.jesscauseblog.blogspot.com

  15. 6.3.11

    Oh I want to be there!!! you look so glamorous and love the red!!

    http://whatwouldkarldo.com

    xxx

  16. 6.3.11

    these pics are so pretty, love the beachy shots with the sun setting, you look beautiful in that dress!

  17. 6.3.11

    So glad you enjoyed mexico! You are welcome to visit anytime, there are tons of beautiful places, you look amazing in red!

    Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

  18. 6.3.11

    You're tres gorgeous. This trip looks only too fun!

  19. 6.3.11
    Sherry said:

    I love those 2 dresses!! You look beautiful!! So jealous of your trip!

    http://sweetandsassy-sherry.blogspot.com/

  20. 6.4.11

    I'm militantly against the cooking oil plus go-for-the-burn approach, I've seen too many leathery, crepey looking ladies get suddenly old before their time. I think you'd regret it when you are in your thirties and your skin is discoloured or sort of crackly looking. Not to mention skin cancer. Also, just a word about spray-tanning: my sisters both get this done, and the downside is that after about a week, you get this scaly texture to the colour which takes a while to fade. Either way, alligator skin is a no no for me – I am pale and just fine with it – I try to apply factor forty to my face every day and then on my skin depending on how much time I'm planning on spending outside. I have a friend that uses those body moisturisers with built in gradual tanning, and those seem the best, most natural and least orange options. She always looks brown, year round. GREAT AA dress, by the way : )

    cakesandshakes.wordpress.com

  21. 6.5.11
    t said:

    That red looks so hot on you!

    http://initialed.blogspot.com

  22. 6.5.11

    awe Alex, it's always the way hey? coming back from a dream like state and into the real world is a tough swallow but you're holding onto that chicest summer glow, so the evidence remains ; ) not sure about the spray tanning thing though, i had a bad experience once and inhaled. it was awful, not to be tried again by me but i'm sure they've improved now, this was years ago anyways.

    gorgeous shots, you really are the ultimate combo of feminine and sexy…LOVE that red dress and clutch. always accentuating the positive with your beautiful shoulders bared like that, lovely!!!

    oh and the pool bar is causing me to fade back into my own memories of last year in Jamaica. do all these resorts look the same? it's practically indistinguishable. they could be twiners in fact : ) thanks for the happy frame of mind to help me float on throughout today. xo ♥

  23. 6.6.11

    Alexandra! How was your weekend? I watched Xmen and it was amazing! And I finished doing my laundry and cleaned my room. It's going to be a busy work for me so I'm trying my best to extend the last hours of Sunday as much as I can 🙂 xoxoxoo

  24. 6.6.11
    Nikki said:

    These photos are lovely 🙂 Just took a peek at your other posts about New Mexico 🙂 Love this red dress you are wearing and the beach looks so amazing too! x

  25. 6.6.11
    Gina said:

    These photos are lovely! I just found your blog and I'm loving it! I'm following 🙂

    xo, gina

  26. 6.7.11
    lamia said:

    You look faboulous "Lady in Red" 😉
    Enjoy !!!

    My summer is gonna be coral, dotted and floral… take a look at my last post and feel free to suggest !! 😉
    Kisses
    Lamia
    http://ginger-chocolateandhoney.blogspot.com/

  27. 6.8.11
    Viv said:

    You are Simply Beautiful!! I absolutely love the red dress you have on! Could you please do a post on makeup products you use – specifically your lipstick shades (summer/winter shades), blush shades? I am in awe. 🙂 Also, how do you take care of your body? What kind of exercises do you do?

  28. 6.9.11

    looks like you had a blast, I've always wanted to go to Mexico and these pics make me want to go even more. I've never had a spray tan, but I'm a fan of St Tropez self tan mousse! Such an easy product to use.

    xo

    http://andthemomeraths-outgrabe.blogspot.com/

  29. 6.10.11
    Marcella said:

    Wowza! You look totally amazing, vacation really agrees with you 😀 Wish I could say the same!

    (And you know how I feel about tanning beds. Fake is definitely the way to go if you must have colour!)

  30. 6.13.11
    Zahira said:

    Qué fotos más lindas !!

    Estoy de sorteo en mi blog, por si te apetece participar !

    Un besote.

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