All things Sunless Tanners

similar robe  |  tanning mitt + tanner  ||  bathroom rug

Happy Thursday!! We officially made it to April!! While Utah’s weather is still being a little bit hormonal with the snow and sunshine, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and starting to shed the layers.  Which means we are going to be showing some skin that sure hasn’t seen the sun in a while, and that can be scary! Am I right?! There is just something about feeling tan that gives you that boost of confidence. It really helps you feel a little more on your A game. And since I have tried my fair share of allllll things tanning options, I thought we would talk all things sunless tanners today! Check out some of my tried + true tips + favorites below!

So let’s get started! Raise your hand if you are completely overwhelmed with all of the sunless tanner options out there? I swear I hear about a new one every day!! I have tried so so many, but want to share my favorites with you and why they make my top tanner list.

. . . TOP 2 SUNLESS TANNER FAVORITES . . .

  loving tan bronzing mousse  ||  st tropez express bronzing mousse or here on major sale!

:: ST TROPEZ SELF TAN EXPRESS BRONZING MOUSSE + LOVING TAN DELUXE BRONZING MOUSSE

Both the st tropez mousse and the loving tan mousse options are gold when it comes to sunless tanners. I have been rotating between the two and loving them both. They give such a good dark quality color while still looking natural. They are both a mousse so they go on evenly relatively easy, aren’t streaky, and it is easy to see where you are applying it.

. . . BEST INSTANT TAN . . .

body blur skin finish (in latte)

:: VITA LIBERATA BODY BLUR

This stuff still just blows my mind. It is perfect for those times where you didn’t really plan ahead and need an amazing instant tan, if you don’t plan on getting wet. Think family pictures or a night out. It gives the most gorgeous color with almost a shimmer to it. It doesn’t stain your hands at all so you won’t be left with awkward tanning hands, but it can rub off a little on your clothes so use caution. My biggest tip to avoid that and really get  the best color is to mix it with a little bit of lotion. It helps dilute the color a little bit and gives you such an even application. I am OBSESSED with this stuff now!

. . . MY RUNNER UPS . . .

st tropez spray tan  ||  banana boat tanning lotion  ||  face drops  ||  st tropez travel kit 

:: NORVELL SOLUTION WITH SPRAY TAN MACHINE (darkest tan)

First up is my absolute favorite of all the tanners! It is the “hardcore professional” method of a spray tan machine. This method can be intimidating to a lot of people, but I promise it is really not at all. And if you can get your husband on board to help with the harder to reach areas, you will be sold on going this route! I use this machine BUT I pair it with this solution. It is the highest quality you can get, and actually what they use on you if you were to go in to a salon and get it done. As far as color goes, you will get the darkest longest lasting tan with this method too. If I’m just going to be at home and not in and out of the water a lot, this method will last me about a week. You can buy one of these tents to spray in, but I just do it in my shower, which makes for super easy clean up! BUT… DO NOT USE THIS ON YOUR FACE. It will go SUUUUUPER dark, and I’ve shared lots of much better face friendly options below.

:: ST TROPEZ TRAVEL LOTION KIT

When things get back to normal and we all start to travel again, this gem is something you will want in your suitcase. When it comes to a beach vacation, your tan is definitely not going to last as long as being at home. You are in and out of the pool and ocean constantly, which usually adds more showering too. Lots of water equals faster fading tan. The machine above is somewhat compact and could easily be brought in your suitcase to give you a redo on your tan, but I just didn’t love the hassle. Insert this travel size gem of tanners. It is absolutely perfect to use on day 3-4 after your spray tan when it has started to fade to help maintain. I love it on its own as well for a super classic natural look that isn’t too dark.

:: FACE DROPS

Besides the contour method I’ll show in the video, these drops are my go to of the tanners for giving your face a natural tan look. I don’t like the spray tan on my face because it can get out of hand dark VERY quickly. With your face you are going to want full control over how tan it looks. I use one drop of the dark option just mixed in with my favorite moisturizer (use code KAILEE for 15 % off ).  I love that it is buildable so if one drop isn’t giving you the color you want you can do one more little drop instead of a huge drastic starting point.

:: BASIC DRUG STORE LOTION

When it comes to easy peasy fool proof tanners, this lotion is AMAZING. It is the only lotion option that I’ve tried that goes on evenly and gives you a non-orangey natural looking tan.

. . .

Now that I’ve told you the details and pros for each of my very favorite tanners, lets talks tips to getting the most out of your tan. Because if you are going to take the time to do it, you want it to last!!

:: 6 TIPS to help your tan last longer ::

#1 EXFOLIATE AND SHAVE THE NIGHT BEFORE

Exfoliating before doing any form of spray tan is HUGE when it comes to making it last. You want that nice soft fresh skin to work with to absorb the tan the most evenly across your body. I always try to exfoliate the night before I’m going to apply the tan. It is close enough to be effective, but not right before so my pores are wide open and more sensitive.

#2 MOISTURIZE YOUR DRIEST AREAS

Some people will tell you you need to apply lotion every where you are going to apply the tanner. Personally I don’t take the time to do that. I apply lotion to all the places that I know my skin is the driest. For most people that will be your elbows, knees, hands, and feet. You want to make sure you are evenly moisturized. That way the color is absorbed evenly and you don’t end up with extra dark areas!

# 3 APPLY YOUR TANNER AT NIGHT

I always always apply my tanner right before bed if possible, and then rinse when I wake up, even on the express options. It gives you a full nights sleep for it to really soak in and get you the best color. By doing it at night, you are also giving yourself the longest period of avoiding water. You won’t have to worry about needing to wash your hands or do the dishes and have your hands end up a different color than the rest of you.

But remember, no matter what people tell you, alllll the tanner options are going to transfer at least a little bit before you rinse. I have a pair of “tanning pajamas” that are long sleeve/long pants and silky that I wear after applying. I am completely covered so it won’t transfer to bedding, and I don’t have to worry about ruining multiple pairs of pajamas.

#4 GO EASY ON YOUR FACE

I personally avoid using a self tanner all over my face. To me it looks like your face is dirty, and tends to highlight the wrong areas, making you look like you have a dark unibrow or mustache. As I show in the video on IG, my tip for your face is to use the tanner as more of contour. I will just take a makeup brush, dab on the tanning mitt I used, and contour with the tanner around outside of my forehead, neck and a little on my nose. That way you are giving a more natural look and not going to dark or dirty looking on your face. I will usually use this same brush method for my hands too to avoid crazy orange tan hands.

#5 RINSE, NOT SCRUB OFF

This one might sound a little obvious to some, but it is so key in getting the most out of your tan. When you are ready to shower after your application setting period, don’t think of it as a normal shower. There should be no scrubbing or washing involved. It is basically just the last rinse cycle your car goes through at the car wash. You don’t want to scrub off all the hard work!!

#6 MOISTURIZE

The biggest tip to getting the most of your tan is to moisturize!!! As soon as you’ve done your rinse cycle, get alll the moisturizing you can in. This helps to lock in the color longer and get the best tone out of your color!

. . . 

I hope these details and tips help you feel ready to take on your tan with ease! If you are a first timer, I promise it’s not as hard as it looks. You are going to LOVE the results!!

photos : aubrey taiese