It’s that time of year, where the weather gets chilly- and we start to lose that pretty summer glow. I’ve had some questions about my self tanning routine, so I thought I’d give you the inside scoop on what I do!
I started self tanning about 2 years ago, once I finally decided to take better care of my skin and skip the tanning booth. After testing out a variety of different products I’ve settled on my favorites and have been using them for over a year!
My favorite self tanning product is St. Tropez Self tan dark Bronzing Mousse. It’s a little bit of an investment, but i’m still using the same bottle I bought almost a year ago!
Update: I still love and use St. Tropez often, but I found another product that I love and use just as much! It’s a little less sticky than St. Tropez, but a bit more expensive… Check out my review here.
This stuff is DARK. My sister uses the Regular Self Tan Bronzing Mousse and really likes it, so if you have a lighter skin tone or just want something less dramatic, I’d recommend the regular shade. If you want a deeper more olive toned tan, go for the dark. It doesn’t look orange, I promise. The mousse actually looks dark green when you first put it on, which counteracts those dreaded orange tones.
I self tan 1-2 times per week.
Here’s a little secret–because it’s winter, I oftentimes get lazy and only use the mousse on my face and neck. I’m usually so bundled up that it’s pretty much the only part of my skin that is showing! It doesn’t cause any issues with breakouts or skin sensitivity for me.
Then I use the St. Tropez gradual tan moisturizer on my chest, arms and legs to give a hint of color. It’s a lovely gradual, buildable glow. (be sure to still use an applicator mitt when applying the lotion)
(During the warmer months or for special occasions I’ll take more care to use the mousse on the rest of my body, but the lotion is great for a more subtle glow.)
To apply:
Start by exfoliating 24 hours ahead of time. Exfoliating helps the tan set evenly and I think it makes your tan last longer! I use no7 total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion exfoliator on my face. Even if you don’t plan on self tanning, this is an amazing product to add to your skin care routine.
Then I pump a small amount of mousse on a cheap flat topped brush to blend on my face and neck. I find it easier to control and blend with the brush, but the applicator mitt would work just fine. If tanning the rest of my body, I pump the mousse on to the mitt and rub using a circular motion to cover the area. Work quickly so that it doesn’t dry on you! I have my husband help to tan my back. He’s a pro! (That’s #83 on the list of things he’d never thought he’d do before getting married)
I tan about 30 min before I go to bed (it’s a little sticky for a while after application) and let it set all night. In the morning I rinse off (with warm water, no soap) and I’m left with a nice tan!
Let’s talk about the self tan smell:
The dreaded odor is what kept me away from self tanners for so long. These products do have a distinct smell, but I think it smells nice! And after you rinse the mousse off, there’s no lingering scent. Occasionally I’ll notice a hint of scent from the lotion (because you don’t rinse that off), but it doesn’t bother me!
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