Sometimes things do not go as planned and you need to come up with a plan-B. By this I mean next week I was supposed to be hiking in New Hampshire with my family for the first part of the week and then visiting New York to celebrate my engagement with friends and family. However, due to COVID and travel restrictions this is not going to be able to happen so we have a plan-B, we are going to go scuba diving in the Caribbean. And now this means I am leaving for holiday next week and English summer has me a bit pasty.
For more than a decade I have been a huge fan of the Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer used to use the Light to Medium shade but a few years upgraded to the Medium to Tan as I found then I would not have to use it every day. A few years ago they changed the formula so it does not smell funny any more and gives a great natural looking color while claiming to reduce the appearance of cellulite in as little as 7 days (a claim I can not confirm nor deny). I am still a big fan of this lotion to maintain color but it is hard to find here in the UK which is why this year I have also started using the Dove Visible Glow Gradual Self-Tan Medium to Dark which is a similar product.
However, both of these are more body lotions with tanning properties that help develop color over time. Great if you are already naturally tan and want to prolong it but not ideal if you are starting from very pasty. And that is wear I turn to the Bondi Sands self tanning products. Both of the ones I like require you to apply to mouse / foam with a tanning mit and leave it on before rinsing it off. If I have a good amount of time I use the Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam In the shade dark though you do have to leave it on for up to six hours, depending on how dark you want the tan to be. And then when I am in more of a hurry the Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam is perfect (you rinse it off after 30 minutes for light to medium colour or after 1 hour if you are going for a for a dark bronze).
Due to some trial and error I have figured out what works for me and wanted to share a few tips today:
- Exfoliate first and make sure your skin is dry and clean (no moisturizers)
- Take off all jewelery, watches, and anything else (including nails in my case)
- Set a timer when you start applying, not once you are done, to make sure you rinse on time
- Apply the product to a application mitt to apply, never your hand
- Use long, sweeping motions along your arms, legs, and torso
- With the remaining product on your mitt you can do face, ears, elbows, knees, and feet
- Apply the product on a tile floor and get rid of anything that could stain (like a bath mat)
Clearly I do not usually wear a bathing suit (especially not a white one) but for modesty’s sake I put one on to show you how I go about using these products. And while this is not the point, I really like this Snakeskin Push Up Bandeau Bikini Swimsuit that I just got for vacation!
Do you have any favorite Self Tanning Products?
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Rachel says
I need to try an express version – I hate that it stains my sheets so this would prevent that since you wash off so soon after applying!
Tammy says
I have to try this during winter. Right now for NYC summer I can get a sun tan the natrual way.
Missy says
I didn’t realize there were ANY self tanners you could rinse off after a half/full hour. I tend to avoid the full body tanners because I don’t want to stain my sheets. This is gamechanging info, Kelly, thank you! <3
Sally says
I’ve tried the Jergens product that is featured in the far right of your photo products. I don’t really find too much of a tanning help with it but then again I don’t get the heavy duty tan option. It does seem to help with my firming and cellulite on the back of my legs. I also use it in the back of my arms. Will have to try some of your recommendations for the self tanning part.
Jeannie says
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll have to give it a try. I’m especially interested if it will help tan lines when I wear certain dresses. You know what I’m talking about and so do probably most of your readers.
Lisa says
I’ve never tried any of these but will have to give it a shot.
Some of my friends have done it before and they look orange. So this is encouraging.