Safe Sun Summer - Self Tan Review
I am a pale individual most of the time and always have been. I have been using self tanner or spray tans since high school. Obviously I went through a tanning bed phase as well and I pray to God I don’t have to pay for that in the future. THEY ARE SO UNHEALTHY!! I CANNOT SAY THAT LOUD ENOUGH!!
Self tanners have come a long way since I was in high school. They use to be a bit orange and difficult to apply yourself. Not anymore!
Prep
Scrub — Shave — Soap
The most important part of self tanning is prep. You can’t just lather on self tan on un-prepped skin and hope for the best because it won’t turn out well at all…
First, it’s important to have hydrated skin so putting on lotion and body oil regularly and drinking lots of water are super important.
Secondly, prepping the skin right before, the night or morning you put on your self tanner on is super important. Here’s how I do it!
Scrub - I exfoliate using a sugar scrub on my body and a charcoal scrub on my face
Shave - I shave my whole body, top to bottom
Soap - I use Dove Hydrating Body lotion and a scrubby to finish it off
I typically apply about an hour or so before bed. Giving it some time to “cure” none of these have ever discolored anything but just in case.
I love these because you can put these in your regular lotion. I am a bit obsessive about what goes on my face so I am super excited about being able to use this with my regular face cream.
You can’t be too stingy with the drops though. On my body, I use 12 drops per 5 lotion pumps (about 2 tablespoons) on my face about half that.
I reapply about every 3 days. I usually apply right before bed
I love St. Tropez! A little less forgiving then the tan drops. You put it on and immediately see the tan. Honestly, I don’t use this on my face at all for fear that I will turn out totally uneven.
If I am looking for a quick tan before an event this is definitely my go to. It goes on evenly, quickly sets and you are all ready to go! Tan, get ready, bam, 0ut the door you go!
Another express tan! This is a bit pricier…I love the color it gives me and the smell is a bit cleaner then St. Tropez but other the that there really is very little difference between Loving Tan & St. Tropez…
The OG…this product has come soooo far! I used this in high school and it was so orange, smelled so bad, and stained everything! Now it is light weight, builds gradually to a natural color and stains nothing! Now it still has a bit of a smell but it’s no worse then the others.
I would use this but I am just really preferential to a specific body lotion because of my allergies and, though safe to put on your face, I would never put something like this on my sensitive face skin. I’m too paranoid about clogged pores.
Now, the smell. Unfortunately, all of these have a smell of some sort. None of them bad but still an annoying sent none-the-less. It doesn’t stay on the skin and goes away after you shower but you may need to wash your PJs and sheets when all is said and done.
General Tanning Tips:
Tip 1: If you’re going to self tan make sure you are in air conditioning. This might sound odd but if you are sweating even just in a kind of humid house, the tan will streak. And don’t put tanning products on and then immediately exercise. (Learned that the hard way) It’s always smart to wash the products off before sweating!
Tip 2: If you use as many products on your face as I do it is going to fade quicker and sometimes fade unevenly. I use True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer to even it out. Obviously, you can reapply the self tanner but I prefer to apply the whole body at one time.
Tip 3: ALWAYS apply lightly around your knees, elbows, wrists and ankles. And I know this is weird but remember to wipe down your finger nails after applying otherwise you’ll have a bunch of tan around your nails.
Tip 4: Don’t forget your ears.
Tip 5: If you don’t have a spouse or roommate to help you get the tan on the middle of your back FEAR NOT they make a product for that now! No more white center back!!
Note: I use Medium color for all my tanning products.
Don’t want to tan at home? Spray tans have come a LONG way! My favorite saloon is Tanique. Such amazing color, lasts over a week, minimal smell! They are just amazing!
