Best Self-Tanners & Bronzers
Using three tanning agents – Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) boosted by DMI & Erythrulose – Fake Bake works with your own unique skin tone to produce a naturally-based darker pigmentation on your skin’s surface. Unique triple tan formula it contains tanning agents DHA, DMI and Erythrulose and is pleasantly fragranced with a tropical scent.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The color guard in combination with the mitt makes sure I get every single square inch of my body, no streaks. The natural solution I came up with was cutting down the straw to make it short enough to fit in the bottle and prevent leaks. If the mitt had velour on both sides, there would be risk for rubbing extra tanning solution in random places, most notably on your body where it can leave a streak. I highly recommend that every pale someone purchase a product called Xen Tan Blending Balm. Once you're done applying the tanner all over, including hands and feet, take your blending balm and go over your elbows, ankles, knuckles, sides of feet/hands, and wrists. UPDATE 7/25/2014: Xen Tan Blending Balm is almost impossible to find these days, but its first ingredient is petrolatum. UPDATE: September 27, 2012. After finishing a whole bottle of Fake Bake, I'm happy to report that the velour mitten is still in tact. Washing the mitten also prevents leftover solution from becoming reactivated and leaving darker splotches in random places during application. I opted to use Jergens the night before Carolina Cup a couple years back because I knew it would be rainy and I didn't want everyone and their momma noting how streaky my tan seemed to get in the drizzle. Fake Bake Flawless is also an ideal option for people who have never applied their own sunless tanner before, as it is basically idiot-proof. For those of you who want a longer lasting tan, with a more difficult application, I recommend Tanwise Lotion or Mousse. Tanwise is not a product for the faint of heart - it goes on VERY dark and stains your skin in streaks unless you blend QUICKLY. I went to Charleston recently and applied this the morning of a very long day of bar crawling, and my arms were still tan at work a whole week later. You can find Tanwise products here on Amazon or at a Sally Beauty supply near you - but remember, they are NOT easy to apply correctly. The Fake Bake Flawless is still my absolute favorite product for a quick, easy, pretty, coconut-scented tan. I like to apply the Tanwise mousse with the gloves and mitt from my Fake Bake kit and it always works perfectly."
"One of the best tips I can suggest is lightly rubbing lotion on areas where you may have dry skin (elbows, knees and wrists/knuckles) before applying. I use circular motions and just lightly buff the tanner onto my skin. If you're experiencing problems it's most likely user error and it will just require a little more practice but once you get the hang of it, it is a cinch!!!!!"
"I have been using different tanning products for years, everything from L'Oreal Sublime Bronze (which I was vaguely favorable to), MysticTan, VersaSpa (good in a crunch, but not at the eleventh hour), and Jergens Natural Glow. Especially in the traditional places where the lotions sink in too much and create the ever lovely bread-crust effect on the edges of the palms, between the fingers, nail beds, and don't even get me started on the feet! hahaha No really though... Glynis is dead on when she recommends that you trim the tube, I measured it by sight looking at how much would need to come off just to screw the cap down tightly. Don't risk having too much on your hands because this is a fast drying product (and trust me, that's a good thing!!). I tend to get a bit antsy and go too fast over my thighs, but that's how you can miss a spot... luckily, touch-ups are not hard with this formula! Because you don't want to wash off all the tanning lotion that you put on your hands, and then try and clean the glove. I thought buying a second product sucked but I was not exceptionally in to the whole idea of lines or splotches. The balm is like a wax, and you apply it after the tanner to blend the color, or before it to block it completely."
This lightweight mousse delivers an instant bronze glow that dries in 60 seconds and after 4-8 hours, develops into a long-lasting tan.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Shower on Sunday afternoon/early night, dry off, then put on this tanner (about 1 full pump per body part; calf=1pump, thigh=1pump, stomach=1-2 pumps, etc). If I do this every Sunday, it never fades and I stay constantly bronzed :) I used to use FakeBake, but the process was just too time consuming, it was a lot of waiting around and the color always looked a tiny bit orange on me. This one is perfect color, dries super fast, easy to do every Sunday without procrastinating."
"I worked in a tanning salon years ago, and even then the color I got from tanning beds looked fake on me. St. Tropez doesn't give it any smell, so it isn't until MANY hours later, after the tan has developed (and when you should be in washing off the bronzer) that there is a smell. As long as the bronze mousse applied is covering your skin, than the area gets tanned evenly. The bronze mousse color itself will look streaky sometimes while applying, but that's what you wash off once your tan has developed. It's something you will want to put on before bed at night so you can wake up, hop in the shower to wash off the bronzer and come out with a phenomenal brown tan. * * * * My steps for the perfect St. Tropez tan for those with ridiculously fair skin: * * * *. 1) Shower: At night, an hour or so before going to bed take a shower. Assuming you also purchased a St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Tan Applicator Mitt, apply 3 or so pumps of the mousse to the mitt and begin applying to your legs. You will go in looking a mess and come out a tanned goddess (looking about 5 lbs thinner I might add, since tanned skin looks toner.). Your tan may look patchy after you exfoliate well, but you will be applying a fresh tan on top of it, so it won't be a problem. TIP: On days where you want to give your tan a little boost in color, or you've waited too long between applications and your starting to get a little variation in your skins tan because of the skin naturally exfoliating, use some St. Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse 4oz. With St.Tropes, now even us with pasty white skin can have a beautiful natural looking tan."
"I have used many tanning lotions drugstore and high end and this continues to be my favorite."
"I go to sleep with it on...I wear a white robe and have white sheets...I just throw it all in the washer the next day with bleach and the little bit that does rub off comes right out. I noticed like 2 days later my skin is kinda dry and I get a tad itchy but aveeno lotion seems to help so maybe the next day try to use a non fragrance lotion."
Use our exfoliating glove, a loofah, exfoliating pad, or a body scrub to gently get rid of dead skin cells – our self tanning application kit will give you all the tools you need for a perfect tan. Using our body application mitt or wearing latex gloves can help you get a more even tan, and will prevent colored palms. Also, keeping your skin well moisturized will help make your tan last longer. Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil, Green Tea and Witch Hazel work to moisturize your skin while DHA works its tanning magic. With ingredients like organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, and Japanese green tea leaf extract, your skin will thank you by looking and feeling incredible. SAFE FOR EVERYONE AND YOU WONT BE AN ORANGE OOMPA LOOMPA: If you have sensitive skin, are pale as ever and wish you had instant true tanned color skin, this is for you.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Because I tan so much, I go through product like crazy, so I am always nervous that when the bottle arrives it is going to be super tiny and it would be a waste of money because I go through it so fast. Now about the actual product: The actual tanner goes on completely white. Normally, I prefer to use tanners with an instant bronzer in them, not only because it makes you instantly dark, but so that when you are applying the product you are able to see where you put on too little or too much, and you can wipe away any streaks before it drys. Most self-tanners that I have used before that go on white will leave you streaky because you can't see where you have already put it, or where you need to rub in more, but this one is so thick that you can see exactly where the product is. My favorite feature about this product is that it actually works in a few hours, as the bottle advertises."
"I don't use a glove or mit and I can do my entire body then wash my hands at the end and no color is left on my hands! I also have a big sponge I go over difficult areas with just to make sure I get rid of build up!"
"By the 4th day, my skin turned back to a nice, golden brown."
"This is a great self tanner."
"I'm downright giddy to have found a natural self tanner with organic ingredients that actually works and doesn't stink! My body scrub has an oil in it, which I believe helped in getting a really even application without any streaking at all. I also took a dry towel and rubbed down my feet, ankles, knees, elbows, forearms and wrists. With the second application, I suggest applying some lotion to the typical problem areas like the feet, ankles, knees, elbows and hands. That's when it dawned on me that the oil in my body scrub was the key to such a beautiful first layer. I will update after a week to let you know how it lasted and how long I waited before reapplying. But I might just order it!Self Tanning Mitt & Kit - Exfoliation & Application - Professional Bundle Includes Exfoliating Mitt, Face Applicator & Double Sided Self Tanner Body Application Glove for Streak Free Sunless Glow. Update: I did order their Self Tanning Mitt & Kit - Exfoliation & Application Bundle. And with the mitt, I can apply a light coat to the top of my hands. Head over to the exfoliate and mitt product and read my review there. I've also applied the tanning lotion about every 5-6 days since my initial applications. I love that this product does not have harsh chemicals and is loaded with organic ingredients. I did receive this product at a discounted price for my honest review of Beauty By Earth Self Tanner."
Best Facial Self Tanners
NEW Unique Auto-Darkening Tan Technology delivers extreme dark bronze tanning results through its super luxurious silicone emulsion blend. 50X Auto Darkening Tan Technology delivers extreme dark bronze tanning results ; Extreme Silicone Emulsion Blend leaves your skin silky soft and smooth ; Experience stunning dark tan color and ultra moisturization that lasts all day!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Before I begin, a side note, if you have a scar that is less than a year old, cover it up when in the sun or it can keloid and/or warp the appearance. Here's the deal on tattoos and tanning: You shouldn't expose your tats to any sun source if you want to maintain their vibrancy and longevity. Here's my solution: I use an spf 70 (the Neutrogena "deodorant" stick kind) on my ink...yes even on my entire back piece."
"I made sure to use it a least a week before writing a fair review."
"Very silky and smooth."
"It has a browning bronzer that lightly tans you right away, and lasts for a few days."
"I like the fragrance of this lotion, it is sort of a light sweet vanilla scent."
"DOWNSIDE: When I received the product it had some of the lotion (which is a tan color) dried around the top of the bottle opening. Overall I recommend it, its definitely cheaper on here than stuff you get at a tanning salon that probably wont work as well."
"After that started fading in the past 3 weeks with fall starting, i thought id get back to fake baking to maintain a fall/winter tan. Great color results, Natural looking tan, not oompa-loompa."
"I have no problems with the price or prompt shipping of this product but am very disapointed in the tanning lotion."
Best Tanning Oils
Coconut kisses' lavish hydration will drench your skin in coconut milk & coconut oil for an extreme softening and skin hydrating effect, while the intoxicating fragrance will make you dream of a day in paradise. Quad Tyrosine Blend + MelanoBronze - Stimulate and increase melanin formation to accelerate the tanning process.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"she always used to tan and i took after her as well, even though her being Polish she's pale, and my father being Mexican he's very dark, i took after HER! her and i have used many indoor lotions before and many of them, most of them actually.... were extremely expensive, every lotion $20+ for a little tube or so. it took me ONCE on a level 2 for 15 minutes to get this tan."
"Works great, smells weird to me."
"Decent lotion, Helps with color, Smells decent."
"This is way more floral than coconut."
"Works so good, and the smell is so amazing."
"Good quality."
"Love the smell during and after tanning!"
"Love the smell and so silky smooth."
Best Skin Sun Protection
EltaMD Skin Care is committed to helping you have great skin for life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I started using it in conjunction with this new sulfur based facial mask TreeActiv Anti Acne & Rosacea Treatment Sulfur Mask Plus Rhassoul, Bentonite Clay Mask with Witch Hazel & Aloe Vera - Refreshing Lemon Scent (1 Jar) (8 Oz) that has really been rocking out on my skin and clearing it up. Basically I use the mask as an exfoliator, which clears up my acne, reduces redness, and brightens my skin, then I use this TreeActiv+ Tea Tree Oil Acne Solution for Advanced Acne Treatment - All Natural Acne Spot Treatment - Blemishes Gone or Your Money Back!"
"I emailed EltaMD regarding the validity of the product, here is their response as of yesterday, 9/22/15. I give it 3 stars because of my skepticism, but I love the product I have received, assuming it's legitimate."
"Delivery: I gave this product three stars because some of the contents of the bottle were inside of the cap. Product: Now let's talk about the fun part: Elta MD's clear sunscreen with niacinamide! When it's time to reapply I first press drops of grapeseed oil on dry patches on my skin and let that sink in."
"Unfortunately, this product was a bit drying and did not provide any moisture; it worked best with a moisturizer applied first - then applying this cream."
"I've been using this sunscreen for 2 years and up until this purchase has had good experiences with Amazon sellers."
"I was very disappointed to find out the Elta MD skincare product I had purchased was fake according to my dermatologist."
"This is 2nd time that the pump does not work."
Best After Sun Skin Care
EltaMD Skin Care is committed to helping you have great skin for life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I started using it in conjunction with this new sulfur based facial mask TreeActiv Anti Acne & Rosacea Treatment Sulfur Mask Plus Rhassoul, Bentonite Clay Mask with Witch Hazel & Aloe Vera - Refreshing Lemon Scent (1 Jar) (8 Oz) that has really been rocking out on my skin and clearing it up. Basically I use the mask as an exfoliator, which clears up my acne, reduces redness, and brightens my skin, then I use this TreeActiv+ Tea Tree Oil Acne Solution for Advanced Acne Treatment - All Natural Acne Spot Treatment - Blemishes Gone or Your Money Back!"
"I emailed EltaMD regarding the validity of the product, here is their response as of yesterday, 9/22/15. I give it 3 stars because of my skepticism, but I love the product I have received, assuming it's legitimate."
"Product has a pump dispenser, and it cannot be left in the heat or the plug at the bottom disintegrates, causing the not to work anymore."
"This product feels good. It doesn't do that when I don't use other products underneath it or let them absorb first."
"I run 5 days a week and I am usually coveted in zinc that stays white ( even tho package says clear) and it is like glue to get off after my run."
"I've been using this sunscreen for 2 years and up until this purchase has had good experiences with Amazon sellers."
"I was very disappointed to find out the Elta MD skincare product I had purchased was fake according to my dermatologist."
"This is 2nd time that the pump does not work."