How to Fake Bake This Summer (And Make it Look Real)

No more frying myself in the sun – that is one of my Summer resolutions! But I look soooooo much better with a tan!! What to do? Fake it? I know, fake tans have such a bad reputation (especially when not applied correctly – orange palms anyone?!) and they are smelly, and stain the sheets and fade in a funny way…..

Saying that, I am a sucker for colour no matter how I get it (somehow I always feel healthier, skinner and fitter with a tan – weird huh!). I have been know to get my colour from a bottle or spray every now and then, so here are my top 3 tanning options for summer.

I have tried all these products myself, they work on me, my skin colour and they achieve the colour I desire, they may or may not work for you, but they are definitely worth a try!

(please note that these are just four products that I have for personal use, I have not been sent these products for review, I just really like them!)

1. Palmers Cocoa Butter natural bronze tanning moisturiser (Approx $8.99)

This is the product I am using right now. The idea is that you apply it like you would your moisturiser (after a shower, before you go to bed etc) and the tan gradually builds up.

This is NOT a one application fake tan, although I do see results the next day, I find that it is most effective after 3 or 4 days of straight application.

Pros:

• It smells quite nice (my partner says it smells like baking!) but I can still smell the tanning element of it slightly.
• Quick-dry! It dries as fast as a moisturiser does so you can get dressed almost straight away.
• The colour is quite natural (none of this tandoori looking stuff!)

Cons:

• I think I can sometimes smell the tanning element for too long after
• It WILL stain your hands if you don’t wash them STRAIGHT AWAY!
• Only gives you a gradual colour (not so good if you want a deep colour right away)

2. Sugar Baby Bronze Bombshell (Approx $19.95)

 

This product officially has the cutest packaging I have even seen! In fact the whole range is adorable (and I am a sucker for pretty packaging!)

So this is also a gradual self tanner, you apply it every day and your tan slowly builds.

Pros:

• Yummy smell!!
• Contains shea butter so really moisturising for your skin
• You can make ARTWORK out of the packaging (I bought this first on a trip to NZ and I brought all the packaging home because I love it so much! Was totally stoked when I worked out its stocked in MYER!)

Cons:

• It takes a little while to sink into your skin (and therefore you have to walk around in the nuddy for a bit)
• The smell (although yummy) is quite strong – so strong, it makes my partner sneeze!
• The colour build-up is VERY subtle, so if you want instant results, this is not for you

3. L’Oreal sublime bronze (approx. $15)

This is a oldie but a goodie – I have been using this fake tan for years! It is a gel formula, so it feels really nice when it goes in and it rubs in quite well. The colour that this gives you is really nice, especially if you do it overnight.

Pros:

• Nice, even, realistic colour
• Not too much of a smell
• Easy application
• Dries relatively quickly
• Long-lasting

Cons:

• WILL stain your hands if you don’t wash it off VERY thoroughly
• Can stain sheets and clothes if its hot and you sweat (it comes right out in the wash though)
• The smell (again, even though not too strong) does tend to stick around a little on your skin

Got your fake tan wrong?

Tan removers are more prevalent now days (too many orange palms and patchy ankles about) but the one that I constantly hear is the best is the St Tropez tan remover.

Now because I am so skilful at applying my own fake tan, I have never needed it (haha) but from all sources, I  hear it is great.

Application tips:

We have probably all heard these before, but they are out there for a reason (again  orange palms anyone?)

1. Exfoliate your skin BEFORE applying your tanning product (but not once its on). This gets rid of any dead and dry skin that the fake tan may stick to and therefore not stay on your nice fresh skin
2. Wash your hands, with soap. Lots of soap, after applying ANY tanning product
3. Moisturise daily to make your tan last longer (even if you are using the daily tanning moisturisers, a normal moisturiser wont hurt)
4. Fake tan is NOT a sunscreen – if you are heading out into the sun, you still need to apply an SPF factor sunscreen, burnt skin under fake tan does not a cool look make!

So that’s it! Happy faking it