Self Tanning Lotions

May 11, 2011

Linda D.

I am looking for an alternative to get some color on me. I honestly don't want to pay $40 a month to go tanning. I already have a hard enough time going to to the gym everyday lol.

I just need an alternative before summer is here. Living in Seattle we hardly get any sun so it's impossible to get any Vitamin D. What self tanners do you ladies/gents use that you've had great results from? 

May 12, 2011

Angela W.

Just FYI- self tanning with DIY lotions and sprays is like a part-time job to maintain! Good for you that you quit the tanning salon... but just know that the alternative really means more work. Unless of course you want to pay someone to spray tan you, but I get the feeling you want to try it on your own.

I've tried a lot of tanning solutions and found that Neutrogena has a good, reasonably priced line. The Micro Tanning Mist is super easy to use if you're not used to self-application. You can spray it upsidedown so it's easy to get your own back, too. They also have a foam that gives pretty decent color.

I've never found a fantastic true "bronze" with self tanners (even Dior's line was a tad on the orange side) so be prepared to accept that your color is likely to look a teeny bit unnatural. I don't mean like Oompaloompa orange, but you're not going to be tan like you lived in the south of France either!

So back to tanning... I recently tried Sun Labs tanning lotion and so far, so good. It can go on streaky though so def watch some YouTub application vids if you haven' tried it before. It's probably one of the cheapest lotion varieties that gives good color that I've tried.

Good luck!! : )

May 12, 2011

Linda D.

I'd rather have the hassle of putting time and effort into tanning lotions then going to the salon. I get so lazy and never want to make the drive just go tan lol. I will look into Sun Lab products. Thanks Angela!

May 12, 2011

Diana G.

I agree with Angela, tanning lotions are a lot of work to maintain. I was tanning for a while too, then went on vacation and went tanorexic and scorched my skin darker than I've ever been before (Normally NC20-25 turned into NC 40+!!) Now I'm still dark (NC30-35) but finding little freckles all over as I SLOWLY fade back my natural skin tone. Sun = bad!!

When I was better to my skin & looking for just a little color, on a daily basis for a little bit of gradual color, I would use Jergens Natural Glow Body Lotion. It has a bit of tan developer smell to it, so I suggest using it at night as an all over body moisturizer. You'll see color within a few days, but it's really subtle. I would use the lotion meant for darker skin tones because I found that it had less of an orange hue to it after developing on my skin. Just be sure to wash your hands (palms & between fingers) with either soap & water, or a wipe after you finish applying the lotion. But, try to only wipe off your palms and between fingers, otherwise the back of your hands will stay white and you'll look like you have white gloves on.

Another self tanning lotion I really like is from Modelco. It's the Tan Airbrush In A Can, self tanning spray. You can find it at Sephora or amazon.com. It's a sray out tanner, so it's super easy to get even coverage, and the color is one of the most natural bronze tones I've found. LOVE it.

Another one that's really nice is Clarins. I haven't tried the self tanning lotions, but I've had really good results with the self tanning wipes. I would think the lotion is good though, since the wipes are probably just drenched in the same formula. This one is a bit more expensive though, but the color is also one of the most natural bronze tones I've found.

Aaaaaannnndd, lastly, for temporary solutions- i.e. if you have a bad tan line, or everything but your legs are tan- you can try Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. It's basically a temporary bronzer you spray on your body. It's available at drugstores/grocery stores, and you basically just spray the stuff on your legs, arms, wherever (never tried face, but I don't think it's oil free, or meant for face) you're looking pale. The color goes on pretty evenly, and it's surprisingly natural looking, even on Asian skin tones!

Hope this helps! :)

May 13, 2011

Linda D.

Diana - I actually have Jergens Natural Glow and I do like it but it's just not enough color for me and it takes too long to achieve the color I want. Have you ever tried St Tropez? One of my girlfriend's said she tried it from her sister in law and she loved it but I'm not sure if I want to spend $40 on a mousse lol.

Jul 21, 2011

Addie C.

Hey dolls! i just made this video! My tips and trick to how to achieve that perfect tan! please check it out! And you also get a 10% off! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5BLEK6kv1w&feature=channel_video_title