I know, I know, its almost November and most of y'all are done wearing shorts and sundresses, so you think you don't need sunless tanner BUT I promise you, NOW is the time to use it the most! Pasty skin is for the birds. This week I'm sharing my favorite sunless tanners, some tips and tricks to get an even, beautiful golden tan, as well as pointers on how to apply and how to remove it when you're ready! Let's get to it!
Application:
Application can be tricky, not going to lie about it, but here are some pointers that can help you achieve an amazing tan and look like a bronze goddess.
1) exfoliate exfoliate exfoliate. No joke, if you have patchy, dry skin, don't put a sunless tanner on or you will regret it. Get all of that dead, dry skin off of you at least 24 hours prior to tanning.
2) Apply self tanner around 10-15 minutes after you get out of the shower. Why? Give your pores a little time to dry out and close up (especially if you just shaved). If you just shaved in the shower, and you don't wait a few minutes for your pores to close up, you'll get these very saturated dots on your legs where the tanner has soaked into the pores. Its not very pretty.
3) Use a mitt for application - I promise it is the best way to get a streak-free tan and it keeps the palms of your hands from getting brown. When its time to tan the back of your hands, simply take put the mitt on the other hand and use it to blend the tanner into the opposite hand.
4) When its time to rinse off (either a few hours later or 8 hours later, depending on what brand and type you use), just rinse with water and a light shower cream (do not use a harsh soap or a scrubber!).
5) After showering, take a water-based lotion and go to town on hydrating and moisturizing your freshly tanned skin. Do this daily or twice a day depending on how dry you usually are.
This helps your tan to last as long as possible. *I go the extra step of applying my favorite smelling tanner (#3 on my list of favorite self tanners) because it helps my tan go even longer and it smells delicious!
My Favorite Sunless Tanners
Goodness, they are not all created equal by ANY means. I know some of y'all are old enough to remember the days where we would lie out in the sun and use lemon juice on our hair to lighten it up and baby oil on our bodies for that crispy, brown look (think "old lady from Something About Mary") And a few decades ago, you'll probably recall a lot of sunless tanners that really ended up turning you orange, instead of golden brown (ala "oompa loompas"). You can kiss those days goodbye because we are blessed enough to have several really great sunless tanners on the market that give you a golden tan, that's long lasting and easy to apply...and those are: #1) Loving Tan
Loving Tan is #1 for a reason...it has THE BEST color, is very easy to apply, and lasts a very long time. I personally love the 2 hour express in dark because you don't have to leave it on over night and get your sheets and pajamas dirty, it is plenty dark (and if you apply 2 coats you will be at the "ultra dark" level). They also have the best mitts for application too.
I recommend a mitt because you will most likely get the palms of your hands all brown and nasty if you don't use a mitt (trust a pro).
This is is a mousse formula and you can see it as it goes on so you know exactly where you are getting enough coverage. The only con I have for this brand is scent - it smells like a sunless tanner. #2 Isle of Paradise
I was "influenced" by a friend and bought this brand off of QVC a few months back, however I think you can find it on Amazon or in Ulta now. They have a variety of sizes and and types of sunless tanner from light to dark, and from a lotion to tanning drops that you can add to your moisturizer (this is what I put on my face).
I like this brand because it has a nice, smooth formula, the smell is not off-putting, and the tan is a golden tan (not orange) and it fades evenly. Cons - It isn't as dark as I'd like it but if you are looking for a good base tan that is golden - this is the perfect solution for you!
#3 Golden Star Beauty
This was a great find on Amazon that I am so glad I came upon. They carry a face serum as well as a body lotion. I can't say this has the darkest tan, but it has THE BEST scent of all that I've ever tried - EVER. It smells so good that I use the body lotion through out the week as a tan extender for my Loving Tan. I think it is perfect for someone that is coming into self tanning with no base tan - it will leave you with a beautiful glowing tan and you will smell so good. Highly recommend.
Now, lets chat real quick about how to remove the tan after its faded, or like me, you get some dry skin and it starts to become a little patchy (totally normal). To start your next tan with a fresh, pale, smooth surface, you'll need to remove the old tan with some type of scrubber, loofah, or (my recommendation), this tan removal glove from Loving Tan.
Gently exfoliate your body with this glove as you're showering. I recommend doing this at least 24 hours prior to your next self tan so your pores are not open and absorbing too much of the self tanner. So, 1) use the tan exfoliating mitt and then 24 hours later 2) use self tanner and then follow up 3) every day use a water based lotion to keep skin moisturized so that your tan does not go patchy.
Linking ALL of my favorite self tanners here!
Ok, let me know if you self tan, or if you can't be bothered. If you don't use one of the brands I listed above, what is your favorite?
XOXO
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