Somewhere on the road to golden goddessville you ended up streaky, stripe-y and shedding like a snake. And it’s probably the day before your BFF’s beach bash or the family BBQ, right? Don’t worry, we’ve been there and have the cure for your complexion crisis.

Botched Self-Tanner

How it happened: Kudos to you for swapping the tanning bed for sunless tanner, a much healthier alternative. You swear you read the directions right–but now, you have an uneven color, streakiness and an uncanny resemblance to an Oompa Loompa.

Fix it: To blend streaks, try lemon juice on a cotton pad. For an eraser effect on your body, massage baking soda into damp skin with a cotton ball in a circular motion. If your face is drastically darker than the rest of your bod, an alcohol-based toner or makeup remover should be able to lighten it up. Try: True Blue Spa Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15 for Body, $15, bathandbodyworks.com

Next time: Fake your bake by choosing a lotion that promises a subtle or gradual change. Tinted sprays or creams are extra helpful because you can see which areas you’ve covered. Before applying, exfoliate in the shower. Pay close attention to elbows, ankles and knees; these areas are thicker-skinned and soak up color like crazy!

Weird ‘n’ Wacky Tan Lines

How it happened: Your one-shoulder monokini was the chicest suit at the seashore–but it left a scary tan line in its wake. Now all your sundresses show your true colors.

Fix it: If you have time, bronze the area with a self-tanning towlette. Wipe it over the pale area and blend outward into your tan. In a rush, use liquid bronzer similar to the color of your tan. Apply a thin layer, wait three minutes, and then blot with a tissue. Try: Tantowel Self Tan Towelette Packets, $18, drugstore.com

Next time: That golden glow means your skin’s been damaged by that big ball o’ light. You’ve gotta apply higher SPF when spending the day outdoors. Load up on sunscreen before you go outside. Your whole bod will be blocked from harmful rays! 

Sunburn

How it happened: We know you’d never skip the sunscreen altogether, so you must have forgotten to reapply after a swim. Overcast days are no excuse, either!

How to fix: Get out of the sun immediately. Lots of girls think “Whatevs, I’m already red- can’t get any worse!” WRONG. When you keep basking after you’re burn, you risk sun poisoning, blisters and increase your risk of skin cancer. Try a cooling anti-inflammatory gel with antioxidants to sooth your face. Your whole bod is toasted? Take a cool bath with a couple of green tea bags thrown in. The tannin in the tea will soothe some of the pain. Try: Rose Soothing Facial Gel, $20, vonnatur.com

And if you’re peeling? Avoid flakin’ out by applying an after sun soother with aloe immediately after you burn.

Try: Burt’s Bees After Sun Soother,
Aloe and Linden Flower, $10, drugstore.com. It’s packed with essential
healing nutrients like aloe for healing, coconut oil for nourishing and
Linden extract, a natural soothing antioxidant.

To prevent: Stock up on sunscreen and keep a bottle in your tote. Always! Here are a few of our faves:

Sweat a lot? Banana Boat Quick Dry Sport, $9, will survive a deluge.

And if your skin is ultra-sensitive? Try: All Right Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 30, $12, goodskindermcare.com