Self Tanning - It's A Process!

It's February in New Jersey..... Tanning beds give you cancer.... the sun's four months away.

It's that time of year where my self-tan washes off and people immediately ask me if I'm feeling okay.

I'd like to preach to the pale people like me to accept your beautiful complexion. I'd like to be able to myself... but something about having a fresh tan just brings me so much joy in the winter.

So, the question is.... what self-tanner should you use? There are so many different brands to try, and each brand sells different types of tanning products.

Lotions, Gels, Mousses, Liquid Droplets, Tanning Wipes, and of course, the classic spray tan.

I've tried them all- and here are the things that matter most to me in a tanning product

1. The actual shade of the tan. You don't want the first thing people notice about you to be that you have a horrendously orange fake tan. Honestly, it just defeats the entire purpose of fake tanning!

2. The longevity. If I'm going to do the work of covering myself in a product, sleeping in it, and washing my bedding the next morning, it has to last at least a solid week.

3. The SMELL. It's hard to sleep covered in a product that reeks. Some products I've tested have continued to smell even after showering it off. No thanks!

4. The application process. I like to be able to see where I'm applying the product, so I like to use a colored mousse. This is not to say that clear tanners don't work as well, it's just a personal preference. I also need the tanner to glide on my skin and be able to spread out easily. If a product doesn't spread easily, you'll be using more product, which is costing you more per tan!

5. The way it feels while on/the transfer of color onto clothing & bedding. Although a lot of these products claim to be "rapid" developing technology.... most of the time you want to give the product at least 5 hours to really settle in. This means that you most likely want to put on the product before bed and sleep in it. If the product is ridiculously sticky, or if it transfers from your skin all over your bedding and clothing to the point that it's ruining your tan and your belongings.... you're using the wrong product. I will say, though, that I've never had a tanning product stain, it always comes out in the wash as long as you're quick... just annoying to deal with!

6. The way it wears off. Patchiness is pretty much bound to happen... but there are products that ware off a little more elegantly than others. Certain areas that get sweatier such as your armpits or the creases of your arms will inevitably begin to wear sooner than the rest. But you want to choose a product that won't cause a scene when this begins to happen.

Keeping all of this in mind.... my top contender is:

Loving Tan 8 Hour Deluxe Tanning Mousse (~$65 per 6.7 Fl Oz Bottle)

Pros:

1. Lasts me about a week if not more if I make sure to moisturize. Letting your skin dry out, especially in the winter, makes the tanner wear off quicker.

2. The smell is bearable. While I have used products that smell better - more fragrant... this product's smell isn't too strong and washes off after the first shower.

3. The feeling of it after first applying isn't terrible. I use baby powder in areas that tend to get a bit sweaty before heading to bed, and I don't have to deal with that yucky sticky feeling that other tanners give off.

4. When it does begin to wear off, it's not aggressively patchy. I take the small areas that I see starting to ware as a sign to wash it off with a good remover and start fresh. This is usually about a week from applying.

5. The shade of the tan is stunning! My tan always ends up looking dark but natural.

Cons:

1. The PRICE. Honestly, I'm appalled with the price of this product. BUT... since it is that good... I will buy and use it for occasions like weddings, special date nights, etc.

My second runner up, for when I don't want to break the bank, is:

Bondi Sands Dark Self Tanning Foam (~$27 a Bottle)

Pros:

1. Similar to Loving Tan, this tan does last about a week.

2. The smell is actually a bit better than Loving Tan, with a more perfume-y scent.

3. It's easy to apply and spreads well, so I don't feel that I'm using half the bottle for one full body cover.

4. The actual shade of the tan is quite beautiful. The tan is natural-looking, but dark enough to see the difference.

Cons:

1. I do find this one to be a bit patchier when it begins to wear. It's more noticeable when it starts to lose its color.

2. While I do find the product to feel a bit stickier, I throw on some more baby power and deal with it. It's not the worst feeling self tanner on the market.

   
   

My third runner up - if you're in a pinch and don't want to spend more than $15:

Jergens Natural Glow Deep Bronze Instant Tanning Foam (~$13 per 6 Fl Oz Bottle) Pros:

1. Longevity, for the price, is pretty good! I would say this lasts about 5-7 days if you moisturize.

2. Application is nice and smooth. The product glides and is easy to see.

Cons:

1. I'm not a fan of the smell. Not only is it a more chemical smell, it also tends to smell even after showering the product off the next morning.

2. Sticky feeling. Even with powder, I find this product to feel quite sticky and uncomfortable to sleep in.

3. The overall shade of the tan can look a bit orange- more orange than my top two, but still a nice sun-kissed shade.

Lastly, a few tips I've picked up throughout the years:

1. Invest in a mitt, as well as a back tanner tool (Incase you don't have a friend or partner to help you out!). Click Here for a Solid Affordable Mit Kit!

2. Be sure to exfoliate the day before you tan. You want your skin nice and smooth but not irritated by the time you apply. I use This One but any good exfoliator will do!

3. Once you've tanned, shower it off the next day. You want to refrain from any intense scrubbing, since the tanner may still be developing after you rinse it off.

4. MOISTURIZE. Applying a nice moisturizer every day and night, especially in areas such as your knees, elbows, and ankles will help keep your tanner from getting patchy.

5. When it's time to remove the leftovers of your old tanner and start fresh - I like to use the St. Tropez Tan Remover Prep and Maintain Mousse. I lather it all over and leave it on for 10 minutes before showering with a nice scrub to make sure to get everything off for a clean base. Be sure to focus on the neck, armpits, and collarbone areas - sometimes the tan needs extra scrubbing in those areas before you re-apply.

I think that about sums it up!

Practice Makes Perfect... You got this!!!!

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