Sunless tanners. which ones are the best, worst, etc..

[cab244]

Hi, I need some help. I am like super fair skinned and I would like to have a decent tan this summer without frying my skin. So I was wondering if you guys could help by letting me know which is the best sunless tanner for even coverage, price, etc. I don't want to go to cheap because I'm afraid it will look crappy and I don't want to pay a fortune. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

[~MK~]

Clinique always worked for me.

[LadyBones]

i also have very pale skin, ok casper is what they call me in the summer time...lol
but anyways i was looking at the new grace magazine May/June issue and on page 55 they have a great write up on sunless tans...It shows thier favorites and directions how to get a gorgeous fake tan.:cool:
i was doing some reading on this and this is what the article says:

EXFOLIATE: To get the most long-lasting, even tan, start with a clean palette. Jillian Wright, clinicle aesthetican and owner of Glow Skin Spa in Manhatten recommends an exfoliating cleanser to slough off dead skin cells. "Beware of nylon or loofah sponges as they can create a streaky effect on your skin. Instead, use a gentler washcloth," Wright advises.

MOISTURIZE:Most sunless tanners combine humectants and moisturizers, but Karen Mitchell, celebrity makeup artist who keeps clients like Britney Spears and Carmon Electra bronzed to perfection, recommends rubbing on a light oil first, before you apply the self-tanner. "It preps the skin and will help prevent streaks and dark patches on sensitive spots like your knees and elbows." Her favorite: Neutrogena Body Oil (drugstores nationwide)

GET GOLDEN: The tool you really need for an even tan? A damp sea sponge-beloved by major spas and used on swimsuit and calendar models. "A sea sponge has more natural porosity then other sponges and gives a much smoother effect," says Mitchell." "It does the work for you and is much more reliable then your hands." Look for a sponge that when dry is the size of your palm as they swell when wet. Find it at beauty supply stores. "The more patient you are, the better the results." Worried about those hard to reach spots like the middle of your back? Wright recommends making a trip to the hardware store. "Use a sponge paintbrush about 2 to 3 inches in width."

MISTAKES? GASP! Nothing's worse than discovering a bronzy blotch smack in the middle of your face. No, you're not confined to your bedroom for the next three days. "Dab some hydrogen peroxide from the drug store, or a glycolic cleanser on a Q-tip and gently rub the area to remove the stain," suggests Wright.

[SueShopper]

I've tried alot of them.. and they are all pretty "streaky"..especially looking at it in full sun!!! I suggest try using very little product the first day, see how it comes out.. Then if it's too light, put more on the next day, and maybe the 3rd day it would look ok. I guess you have to try and get it pretty dark because it always looks darker when you look at it inside versus seeing it outside!!!!
I've never tried the real expensive ones, so maybe they would be better.

OH! Definately make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards!!!
Also, I never do anything other than my legs, that way if I mess up, I just throw long jeans on !! haha

[rain_cries]

I used coppertone endless summer and it streaked really bad. I used bain de soliel and that worked pretty good, but don't use the body one on your face - get the special one for faces. Also, make sure you go lighter on your knees, elbows and ankles or you will be "patchy". Agree with SueShopper about washing your hands making sure to really scrub around your finger nails.

[cab244]

I was actually considering using latex gloves when I applied it. I did try to use a sunless tanner once before (don't remember what brand) but I do remember that even though I washed my hands it still dyed the skin between my fingers. I guess I didn't scrub hard enough, lol. I haven't tried Clinique yet, so maybe I'll get that one and see how it does. I think the one I tried might have been Coppertone.

[rain_cries]

This is supposed to be good, but I haven't used it personally. My grandmother watches QVC and it was on there when she was visiting and they demonstrated it. Looked nice on TV....

http://www.best-self-tanner.com/

[cab244]

hmmm..well. I will say this,That tan didn't make that bikini look any better, lol. Thanks for the posts and all your help :)

[miccit]

Originally posted by rain_cries
This is supposed to be good, but I haven't used it personally. My grandmother watches QVC and it was on there when she was visiting and they demonstrated it. Looked nice on TV....

http://www.best-self-tanner.com/

I think they have this at Walmart now. You know how they sell a lot of stuff you see on those tv ads. I saw the infomercial for this once and if it works as well as they showed it did I would buy it.

Good luck! I always end up looking freaky.

[cab244]

Great.I'll look and see how much they want for it there. I hate buying from those "As seen on tv" companies. It always seems like they take forever to ship.

[mewoman]

Stay away from Toma's tan....Or, if you do use it, don't wear any light colored clothes for at least 2 or 3 days after you use it.
I have this and, although it went on great, I could see it washing off even a couple of days later in the shower.

[junebugger]

I have fair skin as well. I have tried a few kinds-endless summer by copertone? I think-and No-Ad brand spray-which seems to work ok-I just apply small amounts at a time-so it dosnt get to "orange"lol(been there done that)long pants do come in handy!

Oh and a really good tip.....Do not-I repeat Do not apply the tanner then decide to color your hair while waiting for the tanner to dry:eek: I speak from experiance......lol I had blotches on my arms and a few on my legs where the hair color had somehow gotten on it and did wierd things:eek: lol

Good luck!

[Mystic32]

Hey Cab...me like you does not put too much faith into this type of stuff...However, I have tried Neutrogena Sunless tanner in the Dark shade & never had any problems with it...I actually start using it to get some type of base & once I get a little color I just go out in the sun. They now have a new one out called Neutrogena Bronzer & I can`t wait to try it...I`ve tried many from streaks to stripes to orange...you name it...This is the best by far...let me know !

[lisahiser]

ok first of all, after some experince and experimenting, I have found out that if you take a shower and scrub you body with a loaf sponge, to remove dead cells and dry spots on your body, dry off, you then use a good lotion on your body, let that dry and then use a sun-less tanner, that it helps out alot, I have used Copperton Endless Summer light/meduim this year and I love it. I havent had any streaking, or orange-ish coloring, but you do have to apply is for a few days, doing the same thing everyday, so that you can get a nice light tan color. Last year I used Neutogena (spell?)tanning foam and it worked just as well. But DO make sure as soon as you are done applying it on your body that you do pay special attention to your the sides fingers and inside of your hands and wrists. I used Dial bar soap to get rid of stuff and it seemed to work.
All I know is that this works for me until I start to get tan.... But do make sure that you do use sun-screen cuz you can burn even if you do have a sun-less tan! (dont ask!- lol just imagine a lightly colored tan with RED!!!! under it........ not pretty!) :eek: :rolleyes:

[cab244]

Yikes. Okay thanks for the tips. :)

[Sunee]

The best self tanning lotion I've ever used is Elizabeth Arden. I also used Elizabeth Arden exfoliating cleanser. They're $20-25 each but well worth the money.

[dlwt]

Neutregena(sp) is the best. I start using it evey year about this time. Love it. Take everyones advice though about washing hands etc.

Have fun and no more Casper :))
Debbie

[happymommy]

hey the one I like is made by marykay it turned out really nice.I do belive I paid ten dollars

[aimee_l]

I have used Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Ban de Soliel, and I like Neutrogena the best by far. It comes in a non-aerosol spray, which is great. I get good results, but it did take some practice.

On a related note, has anyone tried the sunless tanning booths? They are at tanning salons, and you go into a booth and they spray the stuff on your body all at once. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm thinking about it.