Stress-Free Weekly Self-Tanning Routine
Living in Southern California, you would think it’s easy to get a tan, think again! It is sunny here about 300 days a year but you’d be surprised how little I’m actually in the sun.
I leave my apartment through a parking garage, enter my office building through a parking garage and spend all day inside an office building. Most of my time for sun is on the weekend and even then, it can be hard to dedicate enough time in the sun to actually achieve and keep a good tan.
I haven’t been in a tanning bed in almost 8 years. Learning how your skin elasticity slows down at 26, I quit the tanning bed at 24. I should have never started because I am now paying for it. I started going to the tanning bed around 15 years old. I also would layer my skin in baby oil (even cooking oil a few times) and lay in the sun for hours. I do not recommend this and I am now an avid user of sunscreen and limiting my time in the sun. When I do lay in the sun, I use a higher SPF and will not use bronzers.
I’m not a big fan of spray tans. I find them more trouble then they’re worth. They can be pricey and you have to hope the person tanning you knows what they’re doing. The worst part for me is they only last a week or so and when they start to peel off, it can look disgusting! I’m not 100% against spay tans, if I need deep dark color for an event, I am all for it but when it comes to day to day tanning, I have found the following method to be the more effective and efficient.
Items you will need
This process will work with any brand you prefer but the products linked are what I use and love (Not Sponsored!). I feel like everything lasts 30+ days so this is 4 weeks worth of tan for a fraction of what 4 Spray Tans would cost! :)
Sometimes I also like the Gloves
This one is also a good value, its double sided.
Both options are washable so you can use them multiple times before disposing.
Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse - 2 options
This is the first self-tanning mousse I’ve ever used, I really have nothing to compare it to but I love it! It has a pleasant smell, applies easily and doesn’t rub off while setting.
It does take at least 6 hours so I would usually sleep in it and rinse it off in the morning.
2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse
When I ran out of the original mousse, I thought it would be a good time to try the express version. The only difference here is it takes 2 hours to set as opposed to 6. I do like it so far, I have only applied it once but so far so good! I do feel like this one applies darker but ends up about the same so be mindful of that.
I get the medium shade in both. I am a little temped to get the dark but I’m worried it will be too much! I have light hair and skin naturally so I’m worried the dark will look too dark and appear fake.
You can start this any day of the week, I will start with day one and so forth so you can plug each day into the day of the week that works best for you.
Day 1
1.Shave any area(s) needed.
2. Exfoliate (throughly) entire body with exfoliating sponge and body wash/sugar scrub of choice.
3. Apply Loving Tan Mousse all over with self-tanning application mitt - let sit 2-6 hours.
4. After the allotted time has passed - rinse (not wash) off in shower.
5. Apply Vaseline lotion after the shower.
Day 2
1. Shower and shave as usual. - don’t exfoliate
2. After shower, apply NKD SKN Gradual Glow Daily Tan Moisturizer.
Day 3
1. Shower and shave as usual. - don’t exfoliate
2. After showering apply Vaseline Cocoa Radiant lotion.
Day 4
Shower and shave as usual. - don’t exfoliate
After shower, apply NKD SKN Gradual Glow Daily Tan Moisturizer.
Day 5
Shower and shave as usual. - don’t exfoliate
After shower apply Vaseline Cocoa Radiant lotion.
Day 6
Shower and shave as usual. - may or may not exfoliate
After shower apply Vaseline Cocoa Radiant lotion OR NKD SKN Gradual Glow Daily Tan Moisturizer - this depends on what I have going on. If I don’t have anything planned I will likely give my skin an additional break and go with the tan-free option.
Day 7
1. Exfoliate (throughly) entire body with exfoliating sponge and body wash/sugar scrub of choice.
2. After shower apply Vaseline Cocoa Radiant lotion.
After one week, start over at Day 1!
That’s literally it! Using the regular lotion in between will help keep the life of the tan. It also helps it fade more evenly so it won’t be as noticeable as it fades. This process doesn’t really give your tan a chance to fade if you keep up with the steps.
Additional Tips:
Loving Tan Mousse - Prior to application apply Vaseline lotion on hands/feet, pay extra attention to the wrists and ankles so the mousse doesn’t collect in the those areas.
Loving Tan Mousse - I use 4 pumps per leg and 2-3 pumps per arm. 3-4 pumps for chest and stomach and another 3-4 pumps for the entire backside.
NKD SKN Gradual Glow Daily Tan Moisturizer - I don’t used the applicator mitt but you can if you prefer. I haven’t used it.
If you are ever feeling you are looking or feeling a little spotty, I will exfoliate and start the process over again.