I know that after my
prep for self tanner post last week that you have all been waiting with bated breath for the actual self tanner post -and here it is! For the past month and a half, I have been walking around with different coloured arms and legs (it's much quicker to test 4 self tanners at once - one on each limb), tan stripes, unfortunate orange tones at times and at one point, even tanned palms (which taught me the important lesson that you MUST thoroughly wash your hands after applying this stuff!)
If you have been avoiding self tanners because it seems like a lot of work, it can be, but if you do the prep work, it can also be as simple as applying body lotion! Here are my favourites:
Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15 - 125ml - $42 - This has got the greatest texture, it's like tanning yourself with whipped cream! I really like how light this one feels on, as well as how it fresh and fruity it smells. It developed into a natural golden glow in about 2 hours. I think it's great that they added SPF to it so if you are going outside right after applying you don't have to apply sun tan lotion over it - don't stay out too long though, it's only a 15 SPF! This is the product that taught me that while you want to make sure you are well exfoliated before applying, don't exfoliate while self tanned or you will exfoliate the tan off in unattractive patches!
Nuxe Soleil Prodigieux Beautifying Self-Tanning Body Lotion - 100ml - $34 - This looked really lovely even when first put on before the colour developed because it gives your skin an instant glow with the moisturizer. It contains micro-peralizers - which is where the glow comes from and frangipani flower - for moisture - and it smells botanical like something you would buy at a spa. 89% of the ingredients are of natural origin and it's alcohol and paraben free. It also comes in a formula for the face which also contains Jasmine Flower for it's anti-aging properties. The texture is light and milky and it took about 2 1/2 hours for the colour to develop with a tone that was very natural. This is also the product that taught me to make sure your elbows and knees are very smooth and moisturized or they will go a darker colour then the rest of your arm/leg!
NeoStrata Natural Insta-Tan - 120ml -The colour is instant and will intensify during the 3 hours following application - apply 1-3 times weekly - I like that the lotion is tinted so you can see where you have already applied it but it was very faint so I wouldn't call it much of an instant tan. It smells like Dr. Pepper which I think is amazing! In three hours I had a very natural looking glow and just for fun I tried applying a second coat which did intensify the colour. Since it can also be used for the face I also gave that a try, but that colour ended up being darker then I liked and this was where I learnt another important self tanning lesson - once the colour has developed, Self Tanner does not wash off!
SoBronze Professional Airbrush Tanner - Instant Body Bronzing Mist - 213g - $58 - It seemed that something that you sprayed on might be easier to use so I thought I should try one. It's meant to have an instant colour, which is supposed to tide you over until the sunless tanner kicks in, I didn't find the colour to be very dark but just enough to see where you sprayed it which was handy for me. I have to mention the smell though, use this in a well ventilated room because it is strong and very aerosol/chemical, most unpleasant! The advertising says it has a light, fresh fragrance - maybe if you are a skunk... You are probably wondering why a "smell snob" such as myself is still including it in my favourites list - well, the colour is amazing! In about 3 hours, it turned me the perfect lightly golden toast colour! The spray did make it easier to reach the backs on my legs and if I was going to do my back, it would be good for that too. You still have to rub the spray in though to make sure it's evenly distributed. Available at
Trade Secrets / Glamour Secrets.
If you don't require immediate gratification, try one of
these two: Hempz Touch of Summer Daily Moisturizer Fair Skin Tones - 235ml - $22.95 - It gradually creates a golden glow just by moisturizing - It smells sweet and slightly citrusy. Pure Organic Hemp Seed Oil helps hydrate and condition the skin and it's paraben free. It took about a 4 days to start seeing colour and about a week until I was happy with the shade. After that I used it every other day to maintain that same shade. They say to use it every day but I found I looked too dark with daily use - I expect most people would be fine with the daily use colour, I'm just not used to being any colour other then pale! Available at
Trade Secrets / Glamour Secrets.
Olay Quench Plus Touch of Sun Body Lotion + Gradual Sunless Tanner Light Skin Tones- 200ml - $10.99 - gives skin a sun-kissed glow - It smells slightly floral and is an excellent moisturizer in it's own right due to high levels of glycerin. This one took about 5 days to start seeing noticeable colour and about 7 days to get to a colour that I liked. I used the lotion 2 days on and 2 days off to maintain the colour - which sounds weird, but seemed to be the most effective in maintaining the perfect colour that wasn't too dark or too light.
Lancaster Fast Dry Bronze Water Spray - 150ml - $36 - This isn't actually one that I tried but I saw my friend Julie on the weekend and she had natural looking tanned arms that she proudly informed me she achieved with this product. Since Julie is as pale as I am, I am willing to believe that I could get the same natural glowing colour that she did with it!
- Lisamarie -