It is getting to that time of year where summer is coming to an end and we are all losing our beautiful tans. Fall and winter are just right around the corner. I think pale skin is just as beautiful as tan skin, but for me, having a bronzed complexion gives me a bit of a confidence boost. It is very important to protect your skin from the harmful UVA radiation of tanning in the sun or a tanning bed. It can lead to premature aging and melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The bottom line is that there’s no such thing as a safe tan when it comes to a tanning bed or the sun. Using self-tanners is 100% safe and it could save your life. If you would like to know my self-tanning routine, then keep reading!

 

My top 3 favorite self-tanners at the moment:

Fake Bake flawless self-tanning mist spray ($26.50)

Loving Tan ultra-dark deluxe bronzing mousse ($39.95)

TanCeuticals CC dark self-tanning body lotion ($32.00)

 

I have used Fake Bake flawless for years! It comes in a 6.0 oz spray bottle. There is a self-tanning mitt that is included for application and it works great. I love that this self-tanner has a built in bronzer so that you can see exactly where you have applied it, that way you don’t end up with crazy streaks or stained hands and feet. I apply this one at night before bed and I shower first thing in the morning. I don’t recommend applying this one during the day unless you’re going to be hanging out around the house. It can produce a strange odor that isn’t very pleasant. The bronzer will also rub off on everything. Make sure you put a towel or sheet down in your bed to avoid stains. I would also strongly suggest you sleep naked or sleep in very old clothes. Like I said, this stuff will stain! I have ruined lots of sheets and clothing over the years. All of the bronzer will rinse off in the shower and you’ll be left with a beautiful tan that will last about 4-5 days. I go by the directions to apply it. When it comes to my hands, feet, elbows, and knees, I just cover them in lotion before applying the self-tanner then I pat the excess off with a towel!

I recently splurged and purchased the Loving Tan mousse. I was seeing it all over the internet so you know I had to buy it to see for myself what this product was all about! I fell in love with this mousse. Out of all 3 of my favorites, I use this one the most. It comes in a 4fl oz bottle with a pump top. The packaging is adorable! Unfortunately, this one does not come with a mitt for application. You can buy the mitt separately ($14.95) or you can save $10 by purchasing the bundle which comes with the mousse and a mitt ($44.95)  So this one is a bit on the pricey side, but I truly believe in the saying, “you get what you pay for.” For me, this one is worth every penny! This mousse also has color guide technology which is great for seeing where you are applying. I don’t have any issues with streaking or turning orange! I apply at night before bed and shower in the morning. Make sure you put a towel or sheet down and sleep in old clothes to avoid stains. I have never noticed any odor with this self-tanner so that’s a major plus! My tan is gorgeous when I use Loving Tan. I literally look like I’ve been to the islands. Out of all self-tanners I have tried, this one definitely gives me the deepest and darkest tan of them all. The tan usually lasts up to 5-6 days.

TanCeuticals contacted me through Instagram to see if I would be interested in trying their self-tanning lotion. I am so glad that I chose to try it! This comes in a cute squeeze bottle. It not only tans your skin, but it also has amazing benefits for your skin. It is infused with cosmeceuticals like acai berry, mango butter and vitamin E to moisturize, repair and firm your skin! Who wouldn’t be obsessed with this product?! I am not exaggerating, this lotion smells so AMAZING. The fact that it gives you a beautiful tan and glow is just a plus. I feel like I am on a tropical island every time I apply it to my skin! It doesn’t come with a mitt, but you can purchase one on their website ($5.95). It doesn’t have a color guide, so you have to be extremely careful. Since it doesn’t have a color to it at all, you can easily stain your hands and feet. Just make sure that you wash your hands after applying. A big plus to this one is that it doesn’t rub off on your clothes or sheets! YAY! So you can apply this one during the day or at night. Whatever works best for you. I also love the TanCeuticals CC self-tanning face lotion ($25.00). It gives my face a nice bronzed glow without clogging my pores like some of the others do. These two products only give me a very light tan, but overall it is a great self-tanner for the benefits and the smell. After using it my skin feels so soft. I have to re-apply every 3-4 days. If you’re looking for a self-tanner that gives you a natural looking tan, the TanCeuticals products are perfect for you!

 One thing that we all dread about self-tanners is the disgusting wear-off. It can look really crazy and gross! There’s truly no way to avoid it. It happens to all of us. You can attempt to  exfoliate. You can scrub until your skin peels off and turns red (ouch), but I have a simple trick that will help you out tremendously and save you lots of time and pain. Sally Hansen leg makeup. This product has saved my self-tanning life! It is truly a miracle product! Apply the leg makeup to any areas that start to wear off (hands, feet, elbows, knees). It conceals all flaws on top of covering the wear-off patches. It is waterproof. Trust me, I have put this stuff to the test and it doesn’t budge! You can remove it by applying soapy water. If you don’t want to use a self-tanner, this is a great product to use by itself for a quick tan that can be washed off. The medium and dark shade work best with the self-tanners that I use. Please try this and let me know how it works for you!

Tips for before applying self-tanner:

Before applying, make sure you are clean. ALWAYS shave and exfoliate before applying your self-tanner. It would actually help to start exfoliating every day for a few days prior to application. That helps to remove the dead skin so that your tan will last longer. I make my own exfoliator by mixing sugar with coconut oil.

Tips for after application:

After you’ve rinsed the self-tanner off, you can apply lotion every day after showering to extend your tan life. Don’t use any lotions that are oil-based or that have a citrus product in them because it will cause the tan to come right off. I have made that mistake before and it isn’t fun. Just use a basic lotion like cocoa butter.

 So now you’re all ready to take on the colder months with a bronzed tan, gorgeous! I hope to see you beauties next time on Glamorous Gossip.

XOXO