The Best Self (Sunless) Tanners and How to Apply!
See the best sunless tanners out there and how to apply it! Just because I'm a consultant for Rodan + Fields does not mean I'm voting them in as #1. Total Beauty just rated all of their top brand beauty products online focusing on self tanners for 2016 and below are the Top 5. Their rating was done by real women testing out the products, giving their experience and reviewing the products. No matter how pale or freckly you are, you too can get that faux glow!
Remember laying outside and layering ourselves with baby oil just to get that sun look or should I say lobster look for some of us, and then the whole peeling stage - just makes me shiver thinking about it. Well, we all know that the sun is dangerous for us and how essential wearing a sunscreen/sunblock with SPF in it is a must.
If you want a natural tan looking skin, self tanner is the way to go. We've all been duped by too-orange self-tanners or even our own method of applying it and we end up with dark knees and elbows and streaks. We all want the most natural looking results and here's how to get the best self tan!
Here are some tips on how to apply self tanner:
1.) Shave first and then exfoliate! When your skin has dry, flaky patches, it's a lot harder to apply self tanner evenly, and you'll end up with a patchy look instead of a nice tan finish. The chemicals in self tanner react with amino acids in the upper layers of your skin by it's important to remove the uppermost layer. Dry skin tends to absorb more color, increasing the likelihood of an uneven tan. To exfoliate, use a washcloth, a scrub brush or scrub gel to thoroughly exfoliate all of the areas you're tanning. Focus on rough spots like your elbows and knees. The self tanner tends to darken these areas more than other parts of your body, since it soaks in faster. Rough skin will cause the application to look even more uneven.
2.) Dry off! Make sure you are completely dry before applying it. Open the bathroom door to get the humidity out before you apply.
3.) Watch out when apply when it comes to your knees, hands, elbows, feet, ankles and face. These are the areas where self-tanning mistakes show up. Use a minimal amount of the tanning lotion in these areas or you will get streaking and dark elbows, etc.
4.) Consider wearing latex gloves or a tanning mitt to apply it. If you do use your hands I like to wash them a couple of times in between applying the tanner because I don't want the palms of my hands to look freaky and I also scrub under and around my nails.
5.) Best to start from the ankles up toward your torso. Spread the tanner over your skin in broad circular motions. Apply it to one body part at a time so you can be sure not to miss any spots. Each self tanner has specific instructions so be sure to read what your bottle says. If you're using a spray tanner, follow the directions regarding how far you should hold the can from your body and how long you should spray any given area. Holding it too close or spraying too long could result in an uneven tan.
6.) Around your feet, spread the tanner from your legs onto your ankles and the tops of your feet, and use as little as possible in this area. Don't apply any to your toes, heels, or the sides of your feet, since these areas don't tan much naturally.
7.) If you're applying it to your back, use a strap or a band for even application. I can never get my back that well so better to ask someone to help you out. While most people don't have tanned underarms, so it's better to apply self tanner there and lightly wipe with a damp washcloth about five minutes later so that way your underarms are not totally white and have a mild tan look natural look.
8.) A great tip is to blend the self tanner with a regular lotion around your ankles, wrists, knees and elbows. By doing this will result in a lighter, more natural looking application around these areas. Apply regular lotion to the tops of your feet and blend it with the tanner that you've already applied around your ankles. Put a small amount of regular lotion around your knees, especially just below the knee. Do the same thing to your elbows. Use plenty of lotion on your hands, and blend it into your wrists.
9.) Apply the self tanner to your face and neck. Your skin will darken easily so use the self tanner sparingly on your face and neck. Use a steady circular motion when applying it to your face working your way from your forehead and down. A little trick is to put some petroleum jelly to your eyebrows before so that area doesn't darken too much with the self tanner. Also, your top lip can absorb more lotion so be careful not to get too much tanning lotion there. Apply it behind your ears and the back of your neck.
10.) Keep in mind self tanner processes over several hours so make sure you are not sweating or going to the gym right away. Most dry off within minutes and you can get dressed. Wait at least 8 hours before using more self tanner or showering. Reapply self tanner for a darker tan.
11.) Lastly, keep your skin hydrated. By applying lotion daily is the key to making it the tanning lotion last. Don't apply lotion the day you do the self tanner, just that evening and every day after that.
Top 5 Self/Sunless Tanners:
1. Rodan + Fields Essentials Foaming Sunless Tan, $24.00
https://vfolsom.myrandf.com/
2. Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid & Professional Mitt $26.50
https://www.amazon.com
Below are a couple of drugstore self tanners that hit the top 10 rating too!
7. Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion $7.99 - you can purchase it from Amazon or your local drugstore.
9. Sally Beauty Salon Bronze Airbrush Tanning System $12.99
https://www.amazon.com
Keep in mind there are many more great options out there but this is based on Total Beauty's Top Rated ones for 2016 and my own personal experience with Banana Boat and Rodan + Fields.
