Self-Tanning Products
Last Updated (Friday, 10 July 2009 12:35)
Written by: Sandie Torres (Editor, YourBeautyIndustry.com)
Testing out self-tanning products for this article was at times frustrating but also quite hilarious. Brown palms, a tanned Blackberry....the stories are endless. Streaking my pale self with all these products brought me to some good conclusions about self-tanning. One thing in particular that I've been in denial about for years....I'm very pale. Why didn't I notice this earlier? I'm not quite sure. I'm 30 and pale yet I picture myself as a tanned 18 year old. Time to wake up and smell the tanning products. I have tried TONS of tanning lotions over the years and recently switched to sprays. I tested 12 spray products that were all under $100. Here's which products and methods I thought worked the best.
To achieve the perfect fake spray tan:
1. GO TO A PROFESSIONAL! I don’t care what you say, go ahead and send me emails about it. It is not humanly possible to get an even fake tan using a spray tan product by yourself. I think you can get it pretty close with my #2 option but how can you spray your back evenly with no assistance? I'm not talking booth, my suggestion is you go to a human being for this.
2. “A Tan for All Seasons” by Bliss: LOVE LOVE LOVE this product. You can use it on your body and face, the color was great. It gives you a nice brown tan AND the instructions actually tell you that you will need to rub the product in (not all self-tanning sprays suggest that). It actually smells good and contains aloe vera- yes, it really does smell good.
$36 at Sephora.com
3. St. Tropez Whipped Bronze Self-Tanning Mousse: FYI this one isn't actually a spray tan product but I felt like throwing it in there because I like it so much. This product dries quick and is oil free. Your tan will deepen over 3 hours and it smells pleasant. Get the Whipped Bronze Mousse set that comes with body polisher and moisturizer for $43. (Oh and make sure you pick some gloves while you're on their website to avoid tanned palms because it DRIES QUICK). StTropezTan.com
4. Mystic Tan Sunless Face and Body Tanning Spray: I liked the bronze color in this product a lot. However you should also rub this product into your skin. It doesn’t always spray out evenly, sometimes leaving residue that you need to rub in- unless of course you like the spotted look.
$38 at Sephora.com
Helpful Hints:
• Exfoliate well before applying any self-tanner- I know everyone says that but really do it.
• Wait to put your clothes on, let it dry. (Each product gives you a time frame, follow the instructions and add a minute or two).
• Spray your hands separately. Wait until you’re done or until later on and spray your hands when you know you can let them really dry. I like to do my hands at night and alternate every other night- it only looks a little crazy the first day.
• Wait to take a shower or bath for 8-10 hours (or follow the instructions).
• Moisturize your skin to help keep the tan.
• Pat dry your skin when you get out of the shower.
• Of course be aware when you start that if you have very fair skin, your mistakes WILL show up. If you do have very fair skin and still want to “work from home”, I would start with a Gradual Sunless Tanning lotion. Then once you have a little bit of a base, go in for the big finish with the Bliss “A Tan for All Seasons” or the St. Tropez Mousse.
Side Note: I haven't broken out on my chest since I was 15 years old. Big shout out to the tanning product (not listed in this article) that brought me back to the horror of my sophomore semi-formal. My point is everyone has different skin types and you really need to find what works best for you. Always read ingredients and test out products on a small area of your body first.
Here's what you had to say on a Facebook discussion:
I swear by the St. Tropez self-tan remover/exfoliator, lemon juice, and plastic (not latex) hospital gloves for a glow that would fool even Jennifer Lopez and keep your palms clear and pretty.
Signed,
A former sun goddess who learned her UVA damaged ways.(aka Karyn from www.karynwithawhine.com)
By complete accident, I learned waxing removes tanning product..So if you have a wax pot at home spread it wherever you want too remove put your strip on it, pull and watch it disappear!!- Laurie, owner of Euphoria Skincare (Marshfield, MA)
Model Co rocks - best at home spray tan I have ever tried PLUS it smells amazing!!! Just did it last night!! -Beauty Expert Jennifer Walsh (www.jenniferwalshonline.com)
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