If you have gal pals who’ve just come back from a Spring Break trip in a sunny locale with a gorgeous tan, don’t worry. If you didn’t have time to get out of dodge, you can get a spray-on tan and no one will know the difference!

MyTanningTips.com says spray tanning has been around since 1997 and comes in two forms: airbrushing and tanning booths. The airbrushing method of spray tanning involves a technician using an airbrush machine to apply the tanning chemicals to your body. The second method of spray tanning is automatic tanning booths, which apply an even, continuous mist of tanning chemicals over your body while you stand in the booth. Both methods of spray tanning offer degrees of tan and allow you to choose how tan you’d like to be.

Here are a few tips from Glamour magazine for achieving a natural-looking and long-lasting tan:

1. Exfoliate before you tan, preferably with an oil-based product. Exfoliating helps to get rid of dead skin cells that can make your tan look blotchy.

2. On the day of your spray tan, your skin should be clean, dry and free of any products. Make sure you do not apply any lotion, makeup or deodorant, as they contain oils that can keep the tan from soaking in. When your skin is healthy and hydrated it holds the tan longer and better, so in the days after your spray tan, moisturize every day after your shower.

3. If you wax, do so a couple of days prior to your tanning appointment. Waxing after your spray tan can make the tan come off in those areas. You’ll also want to shave the night before your appointment, as shaving can cause the tan to come off, as well.

4. If you’re getting a spray tan for a special event (wedding or party), book a trial appointment so you can try out the tan and find the right shade for your skin.

5. For the most foolproof results, Glamour magazine says to splurge on a tan administered by an experienced technician for the most even and realistic results.

Have you gotten a spray tan? What did you think?

We just saw a deal online where you can spend six days in Cancun, Mexico at an all-inclusive five-star resort for a grand total of $299 per person (not including airfare). The resort website says the cost would normally be $1,697. No wonder Cancun is the No. 1 destination for spring breakers this year.

So, where else are people going? STA Travel compiled a top 10 list of destinations for this spring break. Drumroll, please:

1. Cancun, Mexico

2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

3. Miami (South Beach)

4. Panama City Beach, Fla.

5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

6. Acapulco, Mexico

7. Montego Bay/Negril, Jamaica

8. Nassau, Bahamas

9. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

10. Las Vegas (we’ll be there this week at the International Lingerie Show!)

It’s not surprising that Florida lands on this list a couple of times because it’s reportedly where spring break began!

This article by Time magazine says way back in 1936, a coach for a the swim team at Colgate University in New York took his team down to Fort Lauderdale to train at the first Olympic-sized pool in Florida. Two years later, the city hosted the first College Coaches’ Swim Forum at the pool, which drew more than 300 swimmers. From then on, swimmers would converge upon the sunshine state each spring. But the idea caught on quickly, and soon, college students from all over the country headed south to vacation in warmer temperatures.

Where are you headed this spring break? Wherever it is, don’t forget to pack your bras and bathing suits in a CupCase! It’s the perfect way to keep your bras and bathing suits from getting crushed or snagged in your suit case. And since a bathing suit will probably be your main attire while on spring break, you should take extra precaution to make sure it arrives in one piece!

The hotel is booked. Your plane ticket is purchased. Your bikinis are already packed (in a CupCase, of course!). The only thing left for you to do is focus the next few weeks on eating right and exercising to make sure you look and feel great on your Spring Break.

We believe in sensible eating and workout plans and found a great list of tips on ehow.com. The article assumes you have about 3-4 weeks until Spring Break, which is plenty of time to make some noticeable changes in your physique, if you’re dedicated to the plan.

The first step is to add an hour of moderate aerobic exercise training to your daily routine. Whether you prefer to walk, run or bike at the gym or in the great outdoors, this extra cardio will help you burn fat and calories.

Step two is to be sure to drink water. By drinking at least eight glasses of water daily, your body will not feel dehydrated. Dehydration is often misunderstood for hunger pangs.

Step three is to stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol stimulates your appetite and alcohol contains an amazing seven empty calories per gram.

Step four is to begin a weight training program. It suggests focusing on your arms three times a week because arms show definition faster than large muscle groups. But, you should train your entire body for best results. And, the muscle you build helps you burn more fat and calories when you exercise.

Steps five and six both focus on watching what you eat. It’s recommended you eat nine services of fresh fruits and veggies each day. It’s also recommended that you cut sugar from your diet. For example, replace white bread and pasta with whole grains.

Need some motivation? Exercise with a buddy, write down your goals, schedule your workouts and track your progress.

The ultimate motivator? It’s probably that bikini, so hang it up on your door as a daily reminder of your commitment to looking good and feeling great. J

Keep us posted on your progress and send us some photos from your Spring Break!