Alright, so everyone’s been asking me about these Sugared + Bronzed tan levels. What’s the deal? Which one to pick? Let me just walk you through my whole journey with this stuff because, honestly, it was a bit of a ride.
Figuring Out the Levels – Or Trying To
So, I decided I wanted that nice, sun-kissed look, you know? Heard good things about Sugared + Bronzed. I go online, or look at their stuff, and boom – “levels.” Light, Medium, Dark, sure, that makes sense. But then there are names, like “Natural” or “Glow” or whatever they call their specific shades. It’s not like paint swatches where you see the exact color. It’s your skin, so it’s always a bit of a gamble.
My first time, I was totally lost. Stood there thinking, “Okay, I don’t want to look like I wrestled an orange, but I also don’t want to pay for something and see no difference.” It’s a real dilemma, folks. The descriptions are helpful, kind of, but “a hint of color” can mean very different things to different people, or on different skin tones.
My First Go-Around
I remember trying to get ready for my cousin’s wedding. Big deal. I wanted to look good. So, I went in. Talked to the person there. They were nice enough, I guess, but it felt a bit rushed. I mumbled something about “natural but noticeable” and they suggested a level. I just nodded. What else could I do? I’m no tanning expert.
So, I got it done. The process itself, the sugaring part, that’s a whole other story – pretty decent, less painful than waxing for me. Then the tan. Waited the development time, rinsed off, and… it was okay. Just okay. A bit lighter than I’d hoped for that “wow” factor at the wedding. My aunt squinted at me and asked if I’d “been out in the sun for an hour.” Not exactly the glowing goddess vibe I was aiming for.
The Deeper Dive and the “Event”
So, for the next big event – my best friend Sarah’s engagement party – I thought, “I’m gonna nail this.” I spent way too much time trying to decode these levels. I’d see photos, but again, lighting, filters, different skin, who knows?
- I tried to compare what “Medium” meant versus “Medium-Dark” or whatever equivalent.
- I even asked a couple of friends who’d been. Got conflicting advice, of course. One said “always go darker, it fades,” another said “no, start light, you can’t undo too dark!”
This time, I went in armed with my “research.” I explained my previous experience. I think I might have even brought a picture of a tan I liked on someone else, which, in hindsight, is pretty silly. The technician was patient, to her credit. We picked a slightly darker level. I felt a bit more confident.
The tan developed. It looked… pretty good, actually! I was thrilled. Finally, I cracked the code, or so I thought. I felt super confident heading to Sarah’s party.
And Then Real Life Happened
Here’s where it gets funny. I was so obsessed with my tan level being perfect. I probably checked myself out in every reflective surface on the way to the party. Felt like a million bucks. Then I get to the party, and within the first hour, the host’s massive dog, a lovely but very slobbery Golden Retriever, got a bit too excited to see me and decided my freshly tanned leg was the perfect thing to lean on and, well, drool all over. Right down the shin. Big, pale streak. Just like that.
I just stood there for a second. All that worry about “levels,” the precise shade, the development time… and a happy dog fixed it in two seconds. My friend Sarah saw it, and we just burst out laughing. The rest of the night, nobody mentioned my tan, or the streak. We were too busy celebrating, talking, having actual fun. The “perfect tan level” became the least important thing.
So, what’s the takeaway from my “practice” with Sugared + Bronzed tan levels? The levels are there, and it’s good to have options. Talk to the technicians, maybe start a bit lighter if you’re nervous. But honestly, don’t sweat it too much. Life, or a friendly dog, might just change your perfectly planned tan anyway. Just go, get a little glow, and enjoy whatever event you’re getting it for. It’s probably not as big a deal as it feels when you’re staring at those level descriptions. That’s my two cents, anyway.
