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I’m not sure why, but I just feel a hundred times better when I have a nice bronze glow. There is just something about a nice tan that makes me happy. Maybe I feel like I’ve just been on vacation? I’m not sure… All I know is that I love a good tan and I’ve tried a few things to achieve it.

I wouldn’t consider myself a professional, because I’ve only used a couple that I’ve liked. Once I find something that works, I kind of just stick with it. Why risk a bad tan, when I know what I’m using is good?

I typically apply my tanner every week to 10 days. Depending on my schedule and what I’ve got going on. I do have some other products that I use in between tans to help stretch out the length of time in between as well!

Before I get into the products, I’ll go over some tips I’ve learned along the way. I’ve made some mistakes and had to live with a bad tan until it faded, so hopefully I can help you avoid those mistakes.

Tips and Tricks

Exfoliate. Exfoliate. Exfoliate…

I cannot stress this enough. If you have ANY dry patches on your skin, self tanner WILL stick to it. Regardless of the kind you’re using, you will end up with a dark spot. Just like some makeup, self tanners cling right onto dry patches.

Most tanning companies recommend exfoliating 24 hours prior to applying the product. I don’t wait. I typically exfoliate really well right before applying. However, I do not shave right before applying. I also don’t take a super long shower. Hot water opens up your pores, so if you’re spending 30 minutes in a steamy shower and shaving your legs, then immediately applying tanner, you most definitely will have tiny little dots all over your skin. Shaving is a great way to exfoliate your legs, I’ve just found it’s best to plan ahead and shave the day before you’re going to apply.

I’ve noticed that towards the end of the time frame, when I’m getting ready to reapply my tanner, that my skin can start to look a bit dry in some areas (totally depending on the tanner I used) so I’ve started using a dry brush before I shower (also supposed to just be good for your skin in general) and it definitely helps to exfoliate. I’ve been using this from Ecotools and it works great!

Moisturize…

I’ve found that it is super important to moisturize your hands, feet, elbows, and knees (areas where the tanner tends to cling to) with a thicker moisturizer before applying. I promise you won’t regret it. I love the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, but you can absolutely use something so much more affordable. That’s definitely a splurge, but it’s good stuff. I used a gift card to buy the one I’ve got and I’m trying to make it last as long as possible, because I struggle to justify the price. If you’re okay with the cost, you will definitely not be disappointed by the product. This Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter is a much more affordable option and smells SO GOOD. I definitely recommend something very thick.

Use a Mitt…

I would never, ever, apply a tanner without a mitt. A gradual lotion, maybe. But for any kind of mousse or water, definitely use a mitt. I’ve used a couple of different mitts and my favorite by far, regardless of the tanning product I’m using is the Loving Tan Deluxe Applicator Mitt. This one is the thickest, softest, overall best one in my opinion. You can use either side, which is really nice! I’m definitely looking into getting their Easy to Reach Back Applicator as well, for when my toddler (yes, desperate times call for desperate measures.) and husband are unavailable and I need my back to actually look good.

Hands and Feet…

I’m not sure where I heard about this but ever since I first tried it, it’s the only way I apply to my hands and feet. As I said earlier, I always apply a thick moisturizer to my hands and feet. Once I’m done applying my tanner, to my body, I take a makeup brush (see above) and gently brush the tanner onto my hands and feet until they are evenly coated. This helps so much with not over-applying tanner and having a buildup and dark patches in your knuckles.

Another hand tip I recently read somewhere (… I need to start writing things down, because I never remember who tells me these things.) was that once you’ve applied a light coat of tanner to your hands, rub some more lotion on them. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: Rinse your PALMS! Nothing is worse than orange palms, and I promise you no matter what you use, your palms will look orange. Granted, it washes off a lot faster than your body, but you don’t want to have to explain it to people the first few days. 

Foam/Mousse Tanner – Apply Two Coats…

I alway apply one layer, let it dry and then apply another for a darker final result. It has worked for me with every tanner I’ve used and its something I’m going to continue doing as long as I’m applying self-tanner. This doesn’t really apply to a gradual tan or lotion. 

Know What You’re Looking For…

When it comes to self tanning, you have to know what you want. Do you want a super-natural glow to your skin, or do you want to look like you just spent a week in the Caribbean? I prefer the latter, but that’s my personal preference. If I’m taking the time to properly apply my tanner, I want it to be dark. I’ll be talking about my favorites of both types of self-tanners.

My Routine

Like I mentioned above, I use my dry brush to exfoliate before I get in the shower. I make sure it’s been at least a day since I last shaved. I shower as normal, using exfoliating gloves like these.

After I shower, I apply a thick lotion to my hands, feet, ankles, knees, and elbows. Basically any area where the tanner might cling to and cause a dark spot to develop.

Once I’ve got the lotion applied I take the foam and pump it onto the mitt. I generously apply it to my entire body, going lightly on the areas with lotion.

After I’ve got my entire body covered, except my hands and feet, I let that coat dry and apply another.

Once I’ve completed the second coat, I take a makeup brush, like the one pictured above, and a small amount of the foam and brush it onto my hands and feet.

The last step is to take a hand cream and rub it in over the tanner. Followed by a thorough rinsing of my palms. Nobody wants orange palms.

Then, I put on my “tanning” pajamas that cover mostly all of my body, some slippers, and pour myself a nice large cold brew coffee and slowly sip it while I relax on the couch. LOL just kidding about the relax part. I haven’t relaxed since… I can’t even remember. I do actually pour myself coffee. Unless it’s nighttime and I’m going to sleep in the tanner, then I pour myself a glass of wine.

When the time is up, 2, 3, or 8 hours, I rinse off the tan. When I say rinse I mean just that. I spend less than a minute in a warm shower (Not hot. If you’re anything like me your normal shower temperature is just a few degrees shy of the temperature of the sun. And I’m sure there’s no correlation between that and my dry skin…) just rinsing off the color guard. I usually wait about 24 hours after applying the tanner to actually wash my body with soap.

Usually after about 3 days, I’ll start using either The Gradual, or The Body drops mixed in with my lotion, every so often until I’m ready to reapply my tanner.

** I don’t apply my tanner to my face, I just use a slightly darker foundation and bronzer to match it to my body.

Products:

Loving Tan

My overall favorite is the Loving Tan 2 Hour Express in Dark. I’m pretty fair skinned, naturally, but when it comes to tanner, I like to go with the darker option. If I’m spending all this time prepping my skin and applying it, then sitting around for a couple of hours with it developing, why not go dark. I’m not the fairest of the fair, but I’m pretty close. I have never had an issue with this being too dark for me. I love that you can rinse it off after two hours. So much better than putting it on before bed and sleeping in it. Although they do make an 8 hour version and based on the reviews I’ve read, it gets slightly darker. They also have an 8 hour version in Ultra-Dark. 

Another plus? No smell! I cannot stand the smell that some fake tan products have. I’m super sensitive to smells, so that may not bother some people, but I can’t handle it. Which is why I love this stuff!

It’s has an olive base, so you will never get that orangey, unnatural looking tan with this product. I always buy the biggest bottle because I know I’ll use it. The smaller bottle is $40, which is know is a lot, but it lasts a while for me. And honestly, $40 is pretty comparable to most other tanning products on the market.

MineTan

Another one that I’m really liking is the MineTan Coconut. I’ve actually been wanting to try some of the other products from this brand, but I need to work through what I’ve got right now.

It gives a very natural, even tan. It’s definitely lighter than the Loving Tan, but it still looks really good! It’s easy to apply, has a color guard so you can see everywhere it’s going, and has a nice refreshing Coconut smell. It is a very light scent, so don’t let that deter you. Once it’s on and dry, it doesn’t smell at all. You have the option to leave it on anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. I’m sure you could leave it on longer if you want, but honestly I hate sitting around with tanner on so I rinse it off as soon as the 3 hour mark hits. I’ve never left it on less than 3 hours, because again, I’m taking the time to prep my skin, I’m going to attempt for the darkest color possible. 

St. Tropez

St. Tropez has a serious cult following. Its honestly one of the first tanning brands that comes to my mind when I think about self-tanner. It’s very well-known. There is a reason for that. It’s so easy to use. It has a color guard just like the other two I mentioned. You know where you’re putting it and that is so helpful. The only St. Tropez mousse I’ve used is the Whipped Marshmallow Bronzing Mousse. Its great! If I’m being honest, I got this one because for $45 it came with a mitt and the other one was the same price and didn’t come with a mitt. However, I mentioned above, the Loving Tan mitt is still my favorite. This one worked. It got the job done, but it just isn’t my favorite.

It claims to have a marshmallow scent. I don’t agree. At first application, it definitely does have a slightly sweeter smell, but after a few hours, I smell that fake tan smell. It does rinse off with the color guard and I don’t smell it after I’ve rinsed, but I just hate that smell. It gives a nice natural color. I’m sure that if you used the darker shade, it would give you a darker color. I’m definitely interested to try their express version, because this one needs to sit on the skin for 4-8 hours. I don’t enjoy sleeping with this stuff on, which honestly might be the only reason it’s not the best.

Another St. Tropez product that I’ve tried is the Purity Water Gel. I had gotten a sample in a beauty box and it was about enough for two applications. I liked the smell of this, and I liked that it was clear so that I could just apply it and go about my day. No color guard, however, means you don’t know exactly where you’ve already applied it. I did it two different times and had no issues with missed spots or patches anywhere. I liked the color it gave. It was a very natural, subtle tan. So if you’re looking to be ultra dark, this is not for you. If your looking for a more natural glow, this is definitely something you’ll like.

Tan-Luxe

Tan Luxe is a very, well I guess the name says it, but luxe brand. It just feels fancy. I honestly haven’t met a product from this brand that I don’t love. Everything works really well for me, and has given me no issues. Never an orange tint, never streaky or blotchy. It’s definitely a pricier brand, but its so worth the money.

The first product I’d ever tried from this brand was The Gradual, an illuminating body lotion. It is super lightweight and smells so good. Never, ever has that fake tan smell. It really does give your skin a very natural, healthy glow. It is something that you can use periodically, or as your daily moisturizer. I like to use this about 3-4 days after I apply tanner, usually every day until I reapply my tanner. A little bit of this goes a long way. It’s a bit pricey for what it does, but in the winter I used it almost daily and never had that smell you get from other gradual tanners. You definitely need to use this sparingly on your knees, elbows, ankles, hands, and feet. It can and will get a little weird in those areas.

Another product I’m loving from this brand it their The Body drops, that you mix into the moisturizer of your choice. You can mix as much as you want into whatever body lotion you are already using and it will give you a beautiful, natural glow. It definitely will not get you as dark as a foam or mousse that you apply and rinse off, but it does give you a decent amount of color. I really like to use these when my skin is feeling extra dry!

When I purchased mine it came in a set with Super Serum facial drops. The only place I’ve been able to find them is in this set from HSN. Its actually a better way to buy the two of them because you’re getting both of them for less than the price of just The Body. I use the Super Serum drops every morning in my AM skincare routine and they do give my face a slight amount of color. Of course I wash my face and exfoliate, so the color never gets as dark as the mousses that I apply to my body, but I do think that this works. It also has a lot of really great, hydrating ingredients, to help your skin to look more plump and healthy.

In the past, I’ve used the Jergen’s Natural Glow moisturizer and it does give a really nice natural glow. So if you’re just beginning to enter the world of self-tanners, it may be a great place to start. I never had any issues with a streaking, splotchiness, or any weird spots, but it definitely starts to develop that fake tan smell after a few days.

I plan to do another post once I’ve tried out some more tanners and let you guys know what works for me and what doesn’t.

I’m so interested to know if you’re using the same products. If you’re not what are you using and loving? Do you have any tips or tricks that you use? Let’s Chat!