1. Make sure to read the list of ingredients!! If the ingredient dihydroxyacetone isn't the third or fourth ingredient, it may react with your skin. Water should always be the FIRST ingredient listed, as it should be the greatest in quantity. Products that list dihydroxyacetone as the first or second ingredient have left some people to break out into hives, rashes and other more severe allergic reactions. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the active ingredient, and with that being said, do you really want that being in great quantity all over your skin?
2. Every self-tanner streaks if you don't know what you're doing, even when you do know what you're doing, some products just suck. Remember to rub in all self-tanners as if they were a body lotion to ensure coverage and to eliminate streaking.
3. Self-Tanners are not an all-in-one product, meaning that they won't play a double duty role. You need to stick to your normal skin regimen if they are to work. And be sure to make sure that the self-tanner you use is also safe for your face. If it isn't, do not put it on your face because it will just get irritated and damage the skin which will take longer to heal and often times become severely sensitive.
4. Exfoliate!! If you do not exfoliate your skin, face and body, your self-tanner will NEVER look good on your skin. It will streak and it will look patchy. An easy way to exfoliate the skin is by using a luffa puff sponge in the shower, and to make it even more prepared, use a shower gel that has exfoliating beads. Also, remember to exfoliate your face. If you have dry skin, you can get away with exfoliating twice a week but if you have oily skin try to do it every two days or perhaps buy a cleanser with exfoliating beads (a scrub).
5. Avoiding streaky looking hands is really hard to do but there is a way. You can buy the glove that sometimes comes with a self-tanner or you can take a cosmetic cotton pad (after you have washed your hands from using the self-tanner on your body) and use that to go over the tops of your hands. This way, you can avoid making your palms orange, sometimes even a muddy looking brown.
Here is the list of the self tanners that I would recommend, from pretty cheap to products more on the pricey side. From there, regardless of price, I will give my honest opinion on the best to the least judging on my experiences and my clients experiences.
1. Jergens Natural Glow$8-9 CDN (Sold at Drug Stores)
This cheaper alternative to the sun isn't greasy, no shimmer (which is good for most people), is far more improved than the original Natural Glow that came out a few years back and evens out your skin tone gradually which gives you total control. Also coming in Fair to Medium, and Medium to Tan gives you a more accurate colour that won't leave you looking like an orange. It also has the face self-tanner to go along with it which I would recommend because body lotion is too thick and usually too perfumed to go onto our faces. Jergens products contain ingredients that help nourish and moisturize your skin as well, but don't make the mistake of thinking that it can take place of your moisturizer, because it isn't. 10-15 minutes to dry.
The only con with this product is the smell. Truth be told, it is probably due to the individual scent of our skin and the mix of body wash and lotion we use. However it does leave a scent on the skin and it gets exponentially worse if you do anything in the sun or anything that requires you to sweat. That being said, I have met a few people who use this who have not run into this problem. You decide.
$16 + CDN (Sold at Victoria's Secret)
This self-tanner promises to give you a sun-kissed glow and junk. Actually, it does, the colour is very pretty and the fade is quite natural. Smells really really good and also will not make you look orange. From what I have also witnessed it also does not irritate the skin, even the more sensitive types. Most people I know use this on the body and face and they have yet to complain. Can't remember if it's greasy, but I am a stickler for non greasy products so I am pretty sure it isn't. And again, no shimmer. 10-15 minutes to dry.
The only con, it isn't going to do anything healthy for your face and body so make sure to put on moisturizers and body lotions like you normally would. Even then, that's not really a con, but the reality.
$38+ CDN (Sold at Sephora or sttropeztan.com)
This self-tanner is my second favourite next to Clarins', but that will come later. St. Tropez is my favourite for price though. It is my go to for brides, photo shoots, theater, and even more local events like prom or graduation. Super easy to spread, limited streaking (none in my experience), colour is extremely natural looking and it fades very slowly. The smell is pretty average as well and again no shimmer. Can be layered for a darker complexion. Not greasy. 10 minutes to dry.
The only con I have for this product is that even though it gives you time to work with it before it dries, if you forget to wash your hands, you will be scrubbing for a while to get this product off.
$38+ CDN
I was not going to add this product at all but I know a few people who just love it.
It comes in a natural finish and a shimmer finish, which is always nice when you have a choice. Smell is not very apparent and seems to really dull down after you take a shower. Not greasy (noticing a pattern here?) Can be layered for a darker complexion. 10 minutes to dry.
I do know people who have had irritated skin from using this product so just remember to read the ingredients before you drop some money on this pricier product.
5. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel
$38+ CDN
This is by far the best self-tanner out there. Clarins in general use all natural ingredients that are wonderful for your skin and this self-tanner is no different. Smells wonderful, produces amazing results colour wise, not greasy and fades really well. Can be layered for a darker complexion.
The only down side is that is takes FOREVER to dry (20 minutes or so) and even though I listed that it costs $38, that is for the smallest size, so if you plan on using this for a while, prepare to spend up to $48 for the bigger size.
$60 CDN
If you are a makeup artist you know that Guerlain is the authority in bronzers, powder, creams, sprays...etc. The colour is outstanding, not greasy, super natural, streaking is pretty limited (but then again it all depends on your method) and the smell is pretty good. The can, although not huge, tends to last for a while (also depending on how much you use) and gives a dewy glow. Can be layered for a darker complexion, but the colour itself is really pretty so don't mess with it too much.
The cons? Price, dries quickly (some people think that is a con), and some people tend to go through this quickly, but that's because people think to look dark you need to slather a product on which just isn't true. If someone writes in that this product doesn't work, you're just lying to us and yourself and that isn't very nice.
So my top picks? (I am taking pricing and reviews into this decision):
Hope this helped!! Thanks for reading.
The next blog will be about bronzers...stay tuned!!
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