How To Get The Perfect Faux Tan
I have been getting asked a lot here lately about my tan. I have a faux tan which is just a fancy way of saying that it is fake. Getting the perfect faux tan can be daunting, but it is easy with a little practice.
I am thrilled so many of you think my faux tan looks natural. I’ve looked for a long time for products that look natural and don’t have a heavy lingering odor.
I have used a lot of self-tanning products, but most of them have some drawbacks. I have a slight allergy to fragrances, and some odors will give me a headache. Finding a natural-looking self-tanner that leaves me looking tan without a headache has been difficult.
If the “smell” is not a factor for you, finding a non-streaking product is still a problem. No matter how adept you are at applying a self-tanner, you run the risk of having a “spot” that is either too dark or too light. Here are my steps to help you look your best in achieving a perfect faux tan.
Shower and Exfoliate For A Perfect Faux Tan
Shower. Shave. Exfoliate. In order to get a smooth and streak-free tan, you need to rid yourself of any dead skin that is on your body. Showering and shaving are not enough. I purchased an exfoliating mitt, that takes off dead skin, but there is a cheaper option. Purchase a box (or bag) of raw sugar, and put it in a waterproof container in your shower. Put a small amount in your washcloth, and rub it over your body. Completely rinse the sugar off, and you are set. Make sure you scrub lightly; you don’t want to irritate your skin. Tree Hut has a wonderful line of sugar scrubs that exfoliate and hydrate, and they smell wonderful.
If you don’t like the mess the raw sugar leaves in your tub, I also you a pumice stone (use very lightly) to remove dead skin, an old faux tan, and on the heels of my feet.
Moisturize Is Essential For A Perfect Faux Tan
I have extremely dry skin that flakes, cracks, and is all around yucky. I need to moisturize more often than I do, but when I finally get around to using lotion, I use La Roche-Posay Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream. After I shower, and use my hands to rake the remaining water off my skin. I will then apply the lotion all over my body. After I am covered in the lotion, I dab off the remaining water with a towel. It may take a few minutes to completely dry. OR why put on the lotion, then put on the self-tanner? Why not do this process in one step? I put a small amount of each in my palm and then let them mix on my body. The lotion helps the tanner to flow smoothly and helps to reduce streaking.
This would be the amount I start with for each leg. I squirt some lotion and then add approximately the same amount of self-tanner. No need to mix it together, just start rubbing the concoction on your body. Let’s be honest; I REALLY must like you, gurls, to show an up-close pic of my leg. I know you can’t un-see this, but I have to see it daily. Here is the glob before I start to rub it in. Doesn’t this look wonderful? It reminds me of walnut stain. You know, the color your hands turn when you have been picking up walnuts off the ground.
What Are The Best Self-Tanners?
Which self-tanner should you use? It all depends on what you are looking for from a self-tanner. Do you want a gradual tan or one that shows immediate color? Are you a beginner, or have you been self-tanning for while?
Gradual Self-Tanners That Will Give You A Perfect Faux Tan
Patience is not one of my virtues. I’ve tried to use gradual tanners, but I can’t stand to apply daily and wait for the tan to eventually show up. However, this is the best way to get a perfect faux tan if you are a beginner since they are forgiving and don’t show as many missed spots as bronzing tanners. Plus, your friends and family aren’t shocked to see you one day all white and pasty and the next day with a gorgeous bronze body. All of these gradual self-tanners are highly rated, and I’ve used a lot of Tan-Luxe and St. Tropex products, but in bronzers, and they work great.
Self-Tanning Drops For A Beautiful Glow
Drops are a newer self-tanning product. They are easy to apply since you add them to your existing lotion. Plus, you can control the amount of darkness you achieve by how many drops you add. Once again, this is a little too slow for me, but I do like using drops for my face.
I’ve used drops from all three of these brands. Tan-Luxe has several items to choose from; the Face and Body drops give you great color and are easy to use. I like that you can control the color by the number of drops you add to your moisturizer. I always start with only a few, and then I adjust the amount over time. Before using any product, you should always do a small test area to make sure you aren’t going to have an allergic reaction.
Isle of Paradise drops are some I used for my face, but I didn’t see enough color, so I gave them to my daughter. She loved them, so maybe I should give them another chance. Also, Drunk Elephant Bronzing Serum is a product that is extremely popular and hard to find.
L’OREAL Sublime Bronze is a good self-tanner. I use the medium natural tan. The only drawback I have is the smell, remember, I am sensitive. If the smell doesn’t bother you, then this is a decent product at a reasonable price. LORAC TANtalizer is a good tanner that I bought at Ulta. I went to Ulta, asked the sales clerk for their best tanner, and this is what they recommended. It has a beautiful color, but it washes off in the shower more than some of the other products I have used. The first time I used it, I was shocked at how brown the shower water turned. Of course, there is still product left on your body, but I don’t like having to apply tanner more often.
Self-Tanning Bronzers For An Instant And Perfect Faux Tan
I love using SUN Laboratories by Gissee and Loving Tan 2 HR Express Mousse. Both have great color and a relatively light scent, and the wash-off residue is small.
You can see the difference immediately. It will actually darken a little more in the next couple of hours. If you want more color, just add another layer. After three or four days, put on another layer. Do this till you get to your desired color. You will want to use a tanner mitt to keep the palms of your hand from looking black. If you prefer to use your hands, wash them afterward with soap, then use a washcloth to dry your hands. The washcloth will be damp, so take it and go in between your fingers. You don’t want extra tanning lotion to “pool” in crevices. Also, very lightly wipe off your wrist, elbows, knees, and ankles. These are problem areas where pooling can occur. Let tanning lotions dry completely before you put clothes on. I usually put on a robe while it dries. Don’t wear white! Even though the lotion is dry, it may still rub off a little.
I hope this answers a lot of your questions about applying a self-tanner for a perfect faux tan.
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Verse Of The Day
Psalms 139:13-14
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
I agree with Connie – blue is a great color on you. Being a southern girl, you probably know what the belly of a catfish looks like. That’s my legs. Thanks for being brave and showing yours – they look perfectly fine.
Hahaha! Belly of a catfish!
Love your blog! I have been a silent stalker for a few months, but felt the need to share my tanning tips since I have gotten so many great ideas from you! I have very very dry skin like you. Every time I shower I rake off water, rub on a small amount of baby gel, towel dry, then add lotion.
Skin stays soft a as baby’s bottom all year! I empty half of my lotion into an old empty bottle, fill it back up with self tanner, shake the lotion/tanner mix well then apply using latex gloves. Use a damp cotton ball with lotion/tanner on back of hand after removing gloves. As summer turns to the other seasons, I adjust the amount of tanner to lotion so I have a lighter color but still tan all year.
Thanks for all the tips, advice, and laughs you have shared. I look forward to “seeing” you every morning.
I like the idea of using the half empty lotion bottle. Thanks for the tip. You are silent no more! Haha
Thanks for those tips. Even in Florida we use self tanners. Have you ever tried a mixture of coconut oil and sugar. It makes a great exfoliate. You look adorable in that dress; So fresh.
I have Michele, and I like the results. But, since you need to rinse off the product it makes the shower floor slippery, and Joe is not a happy camper when that happens. Lol!
Have you tried Tan Towel? I get them from Ulta and love them! Very easy to use with no mess, very mild scent and gives a soft color with NO ORANGE. Almost instant dry. I use the fair to medium. Closest to natural tan I’ve found and I think I’ve used everything on the market. Oh yeah, love your dress!
No, I have meant to try the Tan Towel. I thought that looked like a good product to have when I was traveling. Thanks for the recommendation.
Love the dress, went to Catos the other day they have some really cute dresses for Spring. Got to get the self tanner out and try your trick.
Thank you so much Tania for these great tips! I have been using self tanners for years and I can see now how following your steps will give a much better result with no streaks. This is my first time commenting and I’d like you to know I really enjoy your blog, fashion tips and humor! Thank you, Deb
Thanks Deb, I am so glad you are following along.
Did I miss where you bought the product you like? I too hate the smell of all tanning products but would love to try this one. Blue is your color. I don’t have to tell you that. You look so pretty in this dress. Perfect for that springtime wedding! One last question about your tanning. How often do you have to reapply? Is this a daily process or one you can do once a week? You must have known I was wondering what to do with my pasty skin! Wore black shoes with pixie pants and my feet showed. They just about blinded me! LOL
Connie, just click on the “blue” words and that should take you to the link. I order mine through Amazon, but it might be sold elsewhere. When I first start, I will apply every three days. Once I get the result I want then it more like once a week. When summer hits, I do less often.
Thanks for the tips on the self tanners! Love the dress! I hope long dresses stay in fashion. I just love them! They are so easy and make you look put together, and of course hide your legs!
Thank you so much for your tips . I always find a little streak which is just so darn irritating. I’m going to try this other brand ( Sun ) and see if that helps.
Have you ever tried Rodan and Fields Self Tanner? It is awesome!! You can check out my website mcresap.myrandf.com you would absolutely love their lotion and all their anti aging products. If you would like to try it I would be happy to send you a bottle for all of your wonderful advice! Actually I would love to have you on my team, we could get rich doing something we love. I am really glad a friend led me to your blog. We both work at a high school and the students have even noticed the change in our attire. She actually won the purse the other day and was thrilled! Thanks for helping me feel better about how I dress! I am already on your email list.
I haven’t tried R & F tanners. I have only recently (Monday) started using a product called REVERSE. I am going to take pictures and do a post about my results. I hear great things about R & F, so I am crossing my fingers.
It is awesome! You can even apply it to your face for a beautiful even tan. I use soothe and it has cleared my roscia. I love all the products!