Thread: Fake tans

What is they best way to do the fake tan thing???

I'm a lovely shade of fish belly white & would like to do something about it - I just dont know where to start & I dont want to look like an umpa-lompa

Fish belly white and umpa lumpa is not something to strive towards!!!!

I liked the Neutrogena spray that comes in a brown can. It worked well for me.

L'oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee. It's a beautiful, natural color. Easy to apply. Not sticky. Very lightweight. Does not stink. Love it!!!!

Originally Posted by Zepora

L'oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee. It's a beautiful, natural color. Easy to apply. Not sticky. Very lightweight. Does not stink. Love it!!!!

I second it! I go through a bottle and a half every month. Addicted!

Personally, I embrace my paleness (NOT fishbelly white--porcelain!!) But I've had luck with stuff like Jergens Natural Glow that slowly gives you some color

I third the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze. I discovered it after Samira recommended it here on Bhuz (who wouldn't take beauty advice from Samira, right? She should write a column).

I don't use the gelee, I use a lotion form. Recently they made it all 'new and improved' and it's supposed to be 'gradual' now. I was pretty pissed, since I thought it was already perfect. But this seems to be OK, it just takes a few more applications to get that nicely-baked-sugar-cookie look.

Just exfoliate first, and if you have dry patches around the knees, ankles, etc. moisturize a bit. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward, and plan on doing it at least twice, a day or two apart, to see a nice color.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I third the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze.

Thanks Guys - I'm off to CVS on my way to work to pick up the L'Oreal.
Chub looks better when it tan

I like to splurge sometimes and get a all over body spray tan. Aloha Tanning here in Naples makes me look Egyptian everytime and it lasts for about a week if you follow their directions. Fantastic and no streaking! I use it for special occasions since it costs $35.

Originally Posted by petitefifidance

I like to splurge sometimes and get a all over body spray tan. Aloha Tanning here in Naples makes me look Egyptian everytime and it lasts for about a week if you follow their directions. Fantastic and no streaking! I use it for special occasions since it costs $35.

Aradia said that the spray tanners can airbrush you and sculpt you a little (putting in shadows that give you more definition, for instance). Somehow I doubt if the airbrushers in my area have that skill, sounds like a Las Vegas/LA thing... but I'm sort of fascinated by the idea of getting photoshopped in real life! ..l;,

i use Nivea's "Summer Beauty" cream. there are 2, depending on your skin type/natural color. it's not *instant* tan but you start seeing a nice effect after a couple days of using it. it's really really nice, it works as moisturizer, and it smells really good!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Aradia said that the spray tanners can airbrush you and sculpt you a little (putting in shadows that give you more definition, for instance). Somehow I doubt if the airbrushers in my area have that skill, sounds like a Las Vegas/LA thing... but I'm sort of fascinated by the idea of getting photoshopped in real life! ..l;,

Oh Lauren sign me up for that one too..g.:

I just started using Mary Kay subtle tanning lotion...I am trying it out so we shall see soon how it works. Its supposed to show within a coupe days and be full color within a week.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Aradia said that the spray tanners can airbrush you and sculpt you a little (putting in shadows that give you more definition, for instance). Somehow I doubt if the airbrushers in my area have that skill, sounds like a Las Vegas/LA thing... but I'm sort of fascinated by the idea of getting photoshopped in real life! ..l;,

Sign me up too!!! I could use a little photoshop action

Here's a few that have worked for me:
1) Clarins Self Tanning Gel (@ Nordstrom) - a little pricier than the drug store brands, but well worth it - especially if you're a self-tanning newbie
2) Jergens Natural Glow Express - even better than the original because it starts showing up after the first application
3) I'm addicted to a local tanning salon that has a spankin new booth that sprays you over four sides (as opposed to just front and back) and also blow dries you!!
I actually like to do a combination - start with the salon spray, then keep it up with either Clarins or Jergens, whichever is currently in my cabinet.

don't know if I should jump on this thread or start my own, but I've really been curious about spray tanning.

for those that have done spray tanning:

- how long do you have to wait before getting dressed?
- does it rub off at all?
- any orange?

I'm in the porcelain/fish belly category, and though I'm grateful for my healthy, cancer-free skin, I scare the public less when I have a bit of a tint. (My avatar is me with tanner, for reference.) I've used Estee Lauder and Dove, both are ok but do rub off on costumes and clothes in the first 24 hours after applying. To me, the results have never been more than "just ok" and I'd like to find something that's a step up.

I don't like the gels because you can't see what you're doing, where you're applying, and where you missed or didn't rub the tanner in enough until it's too late and the color has developed. I like the tanners that have color in them as you apply, and then get darker as after a few hours. But caution: these DO rub color off onto your clothes, but they don't stain them (though I wouldn't wear white!)- it all comes out in the wash. My routine: at the end of my night, I take a shower where I exfoliate all over my body. When my skin has dried, I rub on the self tanner all over. I put on dark colored PJs with long sleeves and pants (so I lessen the chances of laying on a wrinkled sheet and having that imprinted on the self tanner on my skin) and go to bed. When I wake up in the morning, I hop in the shower, the brown top layer washes off, and I'm left with glowing, deliciously tanned skin.

Sincerely,
The Alabaster Queen of Fakie Tans.

Originally Posted by SummerSahar

I don't like the gels because you can't see what you're doing, where you're applying, and where you missed or didn't rub the tanner in enough until it's too late and the color has developed. I like the tanners that have color in them as you apply, and then get darker as after a few hours. But caution: these DO rub color off onto your clothes, but they don't stain them (though I wouldn't wear white!)- it all comes out in the wash. My routine: at the end of my night, I take a shower where I exfoliate all over my body. When my skin has dried, I rub on the self tanner all over. I put on dark colored PJs with long sleeves and pants (so I lessen the chances of laying on a wrinkled sheet and having that imprinted on the self tanner on my skin) and go to bed. When I wake up in the morning, I hop in the shower, the brown top layer washes off, and I'm left with glowing, deliciously tanned skin.

Sincerely,
The Alabaster Queen of Fakie Tans.

hmm, that sounds pretty good. brand?

I use a brand called SUN by Sun laboratories, but it's hard to find. You can order it....the darkest shade is called "dark sunsation" and does me so right (not orangy). Smells like almonds. A good drugstore brand is L'oreal Sublime Bronze. It says "dries instantly" but I still follow the steps I outlined above.

Oh...and don't buy from these people:
Sunless tanning lotions and self tanning products
Their customer service was AWFUL and they sent me the wrong product.

I've never had good luck with sunless tanners. I'm really really pale and freckled and I can never seem to do it evenly. *sigh*

I looked at your pics, I think your skin tone is really beautiful. Im also really pale and I love it! Its different and exotic in its own way ;).

Another vote for L'Oreal Sublime Bronze. I love both their lotion and their self-tanning wipes. Just make sure you exfoliate very thoroughly beforehand.

For really special occasions, I spring for a Mystic Tan. The tan I get from that is a little more even than what I can get from the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze, and the "pain in the ass factor" is so much lower.

If you take the plunge with a self-tanner, make sure you have foundation on hand to match your new skin tone! That's something I didn't think of the first time I did a spray tan...I got one right before going on vacation, and I didn't discover that my makeup didn't match anymore until after I got there. OOPS! Luckily I was able to mix my mineral foundation with bronzer to darken it up. :)

If I have the money to splurge, I'll go to the Mystic Tan booth at this salon I like, but otherwise I'm a huge fan of tanning mousse.
If you have access to anyone in the beauty industry who can get you the goods wholesale, St.Tropez and Supra Color make the best mousses (in my opinion) and they are easy to apply. I like to apply a thin layer of lotion around my wrists and ankles and over my knees/elbows after I'm dry just to ensure that those areas don't get too dark.
And don't ever let your boyfriend help you before a competition or you'll end up with ridiculous dark patchy hands (what part of ''not so much on the hands don't you get!?) for weeks!

I've been curious about the mystic tan. Does it come up orange? We have a big party next friday & I'd like to be a bronze babe & that seem like a smaller hassle for a 1st timer - I am really afraid of ending up blotchy

Okay - my experience with the fake tanning in salons...
There are two really well-known: Magic Tan and Mystic Tan. I started on Mystic - it was a little orangey, but not so bad and I still felt better than when I am lily-white. Magic Tan is freakin fabulous (IMO)...not orangey at all, smells *slightly* less awful the first day, and as I wrote above, the salon in SF where I go has an upgraded booth called VeraSpa that sprays over four sides, not just front and back, and also blow dries your skin a little. You still have to blend/dry yourself off a little more, but with bronzer, it's easy to see where that's needed. If you get one, GO AT LEAST TWO DAYS BEFORE YOUR EVENT/PERFORMANCE! This allows the tan to lighten a little which looks more natural. You will also avoid getting any bronzer on your clothes/expensive costumes.

Originally Posted by magdelenam

I've been curious about the mystic tan. Does it come up orange? We have a big party next friday & I'd like to be a bronze babe & that seem like a smaller hassle for a 1st timer - I am really afraid of ending up blotchy

No, not really. I've used mystic before and the color is...a little more yellowish/golden than some tans I've seen on other people...but then again, my natural skintone is pretty yellow to start with, so I don't know if that's the tanning formula or just the way it works on me.

A note about the bronzer solution in Mystic Tan--some places *don't* use it or give you the option (instant bronzer or no?) I avoid that bronzer crap like the plague. It comes off on everything, and though my mystic tans have always been pretty even, the bronzer has been blotchy the couple times I had it. Sure, it washes off in your first shower, but why get stuck wearing it all day if you don't have to?

There *are* some things to be aware of to avoid the blotchies or harsh lines when you do a Mystic:
First, exfoliate before hand (knees, elbows, heels, etc.) I also find for best results its good to moisturize, but do this at least a few hours before you go (so you're not overly moist/greasy or the tan won't take as well.)

Second, the blending/barrier cream--really go heavy with it on your fingers and toes--especially around the nail beds--and be sure to distribute it evenly on and between the fingers (once wound up with almost none between my fingers and a lot on top...so my fingers were pale on top, but very tan when I spread my fingers. Not a good look.) I also recommend rubbing a little bit lightly into the backs of your hands and the tops of your feet--even just apply and wipe off those areas. This will allow *some* of the tan solution to get through, but not as much/as deep. I also put it around my eyelids/underbrow/undereye area because I found I got too dark in those areas for some reason.

Third: Timing. This type of tan almost always seems to look its best on day two or three (depending on how active you are and your natural exfoliation rate). They say it develops in 4 hours, but it will actually keep developing for hours after that, so for max tan, wait longer than 4 hours before showering...and don't be surprised if you're a little darker the next day. I actually find that sometimes around day 3 or 4, if I've been dancing a lot, it will start to rub/exfoliate off in key places (say around bra straps or underwire areas. Just something to be aware of.

Fourth: If this is your first time and you have more than a week before your event, I'd recommend doing a trial run at least a week in advance (regardless of whether you're using self tanner or Mystic.) It can be a little tricky the first time to figure out everything/the best way to do things for you, so a practice run can help you avoid weirdness later. :-)

Originally Posted by Vasha_Hatal

I looked at your pics, I think your skin tone is really beautiful. Im also really pale and I love it! Its different and exotic in its own way ;).

I totally agree, I've come to embrace my "porcelain" skin tone. I just add shimmer lotion and glitter.

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

I second it! I go through a bottle and a half every month. Addicted!

am in love with this stuff!

I spray tan myself. I use verseo spray gun and I use the solution and booster drops from react cosmetics. VERY real color.

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

Fourth: If this is your first time and you have more than a week before your event, I'd recommend doing a trial run at least a week in advance (regardless of whether you're using self tanner or Mystic.) It can be a little tricky the first time to figure out everything/the best way to do things for you, so a practice run can help you avoid weirdness later. :-)

Hey Mirah - I wanted to say thank you for such a detailed explanation. I am planning on going tomorrow so if there is any weirdness, I'm hoping I can get it under control by Friday .w.:

I found this website in my searching that is full of useful info - Sunless.com -- Your Sunless Tanning Guide

I'll do before & after picts to share

If you have a spare eyeshadow brush, use it to paint the barrier cream on your nails and between your fingers.

:)