Need a bit of a bronze goddess glow for your Summer vacation? I feel you, me too! That’s why I use easy self-tanning products that help me go darker effortlessly.
Products that last, apply easily and don’t need too many steps before and after are my absolute tanning partners in crime.
I used to feel so frustrated with all the how-to’s and videos about the whole tanning process, but not anymore. You can actually achieve perfect caramel-y tan in almost 10 minutes or less and results that look natural for days. It’s not a dream!
Here is how you can do it, plus my ultimate tips for being mistake-free every single time. Just a few simple steps away from success.
Let’s go!
My Best Tips For Self-tanning like a pro:
- Get in the shower and exfoliate your body. The best product for that is exfoliating gloves; you’re done in 2 minutes. But if you prefer a product instead, the Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub and the Ouai Scalp & Body scrub work perfectly.
- Don’t forget to put a bit of extra effort for your elbows, knees, ankles or anywhere else that you usually see dryness on your body.
- Once you are dry, apply a small amount of body lotion only on these areas to make sure the tan will be smooth & even.
- When you’re done with the self-tan, work the tanning mitt a little more all over your body. I’m seeing major difference when I do that. Think about it as “blending” your self-tan in for the most natural effect.
- Always wash your hands very well at the end. I’ve ended up many times with hands that look dirty for days. Once they are dry, just do a last swipe over them with what’s left on the mitt.
- For the days where you have your tan on, apply cream-like body lotions and stay away of oils as they tend to separate the tan.
- Moisturizing with a body lotion daily is a good practice if you want your tan to last more and fade away naturally.
Easy Self-Tanning Products
ISLE OF PARADISE Self-Tanning Drops Face & Body: Easy & Super Natural
If you want easy self-tanning products that work, look the Isle of Paradise way.
I’m pleasantly surprised by these self-tanning drops from the brand, as you can customize your tan by adding more or less drops into your body lotion -any body lotion. Then just moisturize like you always do after the shower.
They come in 3 different “shades” light, medium and dark. And although I’m fair skinned, I have the dark ones and LOVE them.
The color is as natural as it gets and I kid you not they last for d-a-y-s! The best part? These drops fade away beautifully as the days pass by, to the point that I can’t even notice it. I don’t have anything “negative” to say about them.
If you have a minimal approach to self-tanning and need something chic, look no further. Thank god for purchasing them randomly at Sephora. What a gem!
HOW-TO
- Shower, exfoliate and hop on to the moisturizing part.
- Grab your favorite body lotion -mine is the Caudalie Thé des Vignes Nourishing body lotion. Sexiest scent ever!
- And now get ready to moisturize part by part. Right leg, left leg, chest etc. This way you’ll work more precisely and you’ll remember exactly how many drops you used so you can use the same amount in everything.
- For example, I’m starting with 3 pumps of body lotion and 3 self-tanning drops for my left leg. When I go into the right leg I use the same and so on.
- Add 2-3 pumps of body lotion in your hand and 2-3 drops of the self-tanning drops for a natural, light tan and mix them in your palms. If you want a darker result, then add more drops.
- Apply the mix as you would with your body lotion.
- When I finish a certain body area, I never forget to “finish off” with a tanning mitt. I work the mitt in circular motions to make sure everything is well blended and even.
- When you’re done, just wear your comfies and wait until this beautiful tan is fully developed. These drops need a few hours to give the perfect “back from the beach” glow.
- I’m usually using them after my night shower. And I’m admiring my tan in the morning.
Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion: A lazy girl’s best friend
Ok now, this Tan-Luxe Gradual Tanning lotion is my favorite for years. If you are lazy with all things self-tanning but still crave the result from time to time then this one is definitely for you. Easy self-tanning product in a bottle.
The gradual self tanner by Tan-Luxe is actually a regular body lotion with self-tanner added in it. And you just have to moisturize your body with it instead of your daily body lotion. Simple as that.
I love the formula as it is quite runny, applies easily and sinks in quickly.
It gives a light beautiful tan when I use it once and I can build it up from there if I need to. Depending on how deep you want to go color wise, you just keep using it everyday until you reach the desired tan.
I’m usually good with one time because I totally love a natural look. But you can use it for more days if you love a deeper tan.
HOW-TO
- Don’t be fooled because it’s a body lotion. Same self-tanning rules apply to this one too. Start with your shower and exfoliate your body.
- Make sure you give a good exfoliation on all the hard parts of the body like knees, ankles, wrists and elbows.
- Get out of the shower and towel dry.
- Now you’re ready for application.
- Apply it just like you would do with your body lotion.
- The key here is -again- the mitt. Once you’re done with the gradual tanner, go over all areas of your body with a tanning mitt. This way the tan looks amazing without any patches.
- Wash your hands very well and get ready to see it develop after a few hours.
The occasion Self-Tan
Although I prefer a laid back bronzy glow on my fair skin, sometimes you know you need something a bit more “out there”, something bolder & deeper.
And when you have somewhere specific to go, or a last-minute occasion like a party, a wedding or even a date night, I have not one but two easy self-tanning products for this too.
The St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse and the Loving Tan 2 Hour Express Mousse which I love equally. They have a helpful color guide so you can see exactly where you are putting it on and work extremely quick.
They both offer a deeper sun-kissed glow and if you are fair skinned like me you can just leave them on for like 1-2 hours and you’re ready.
Their color is natural and not orange at all and they last for 4-5 days on me. Apply the same rules as the other self-tanners I talk about in the beginning of the post and you’ll have an amazing result.
Since they develop super quickly and give a deeper color you need a little more attention here and you’ll be good to go!
HOW-TO
- Exfoliate your body and insist on all the drier areas like feet, ankles, elbows etc.
- Once you’re out of the shower and dry, apply moisturizer on elbows, knees, wrists, feet, hands.
- Take you mitt and work in small areas. Like one leg at a time and so on.
- Always remember how much product you use on each area. If you need 2 pumps for one leg then use exactly 2 pumps for your other one too.
- Leave your feet and hands for last.
- Once your whole body is ready, take what’s left on the mitt and gently touch your feet and hands.
Conclusion and one last tip
Lastly, I want to talk about something that may discourage you when you start your self-tanning journey.
Although you can follow every tip on earth you can still see areas that look patchy or weird at the end. The secret here is to take notes for the next time.
For example, I notice that a certain area under my arms always looks patchy, so the next time I’m on the exfoliating stage I remember this specific spot and exfoliate more carefully.
Guess what? My tan looks perfect on this area every time I do my tanning routine now.
Practice and you’ll get there, I promise!
What other tips you always do?
