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Do you use self-tanner?


Do you use self-tanner? If so, what are your favorites? How often?

Nope – I don’t feel any desire to go darker than I already am.

Thanks to Meme for today’s question!

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Meg Avatar

I’ll use lotions with self-tanners in them during seasons when my legs actually show. But honestly, they all smell SO weird. I’d rather not have to use them, but my legs are so pale that you can see my blue veins through them… ugh. Does anyone have any suggestions for self-tanning lotions that are cheap-ish, preferably drugstore ones that give an extremely gradual, natural looking color and don’t smell so bizarre?

Kalex Avatar

You just described my skin tone too! I have wasted so much money on self-tanners – all of which streak, smell horrible, or turn me orange. I’ve given up and decided to join the likes of Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchet, and Dita Von Teese (just to name a few) and embrace my pale skin.

Marisol Avatar

Ugh I hate how they smell too. I use a sun laboratories one. It’s about 30 ish dollars though. At first it smells super yummy like cherries or something and then it fades to that weird smell… I was not blessed with beautiful tan skin but with pale pale skin.

Jan Avatar

No, I hate it. I tried using it once to even out some untanned parts with tanned, but it just got streaky. Evening out natural tan with untanned areas is the only purpose I see for self-tanner.

Carrie Ann Avatar

No, I’m far too lazy for that. It seems like a lot of work to find the right one, get it just right and then maintain the fake tan. I don’t care enough about how tanned I look. 🙂

Donna Cooper Avatar

No, I did but became allergic to it. Tried every brand and still made me itch like mad. I scratched so much I look like a cat attacked me.

I do not sunbathe either, just stay pale now.

Em Avatar

Not usually but I want to this year because I don’t tan at all and usually just burn in the sun. Anyone know any good self-tanners for super super SUPER fair skin??

Ryou Avatar

Noooooo.

My coloring is actually pretty close to yours, and being (mostly) Southeast Asian, I tan very easily already. The thing is, I look incredibly silly with a tan, so I always try to be as pale as I can humanely be. O_O;;

Michelle Avatar

Occasionally I use self-tanner on my face since I am very fair. I use Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel. It’s the only one that doesn’t make my face break out, turn orange, or look greasy as the day wears on. It’s not inexpensive, but for me it’s worth the money not to have breakouts or clogged pores.

condesa Avatar

I tried several times self tanners of the best brands,…. but I never ever got a decent result and/or was satisfied all in all. They all have some kind of let down… in most cases (even high end brands) is the smell… maybe well concealed by added fragrance upon application at first but after a few hours , when the product oxidizes with skin (it is supposed to do so to appear dark) leaves my skin with a stink that lingers for days ; and I am super sensitive to smells…then it streaks /fades and you have to scrub the hell of you skin.
So I gave up. I just tan in the sun a bit in summer… and I am pale the rest of the year.

GinaTheresa Avatar

I definitely do in the summer. I love my pale skin, but once it gets warm out, my glowing white legs look a bit out of place. I like the Jergens gradual tanning lotions. They have a distinctive scent, but I like it!

Natalie Avatar

I self-tan all summer since I’m afraid of skin cancer & wrinkles! I actually love Kardashian Glamour Tan. I know it sounds like it’d be junk but it works amazingly well. I always get a natural tan color, never orange, and if it streaks at all it’s so easy to fix, and quickly. It smells a bit sweet, but it’s definitely my go-to self-tanner!

Ann Avatar

Nope. Self-tanners seem like a lot of bother, too orange, too muddy, too smelly, etc. I’m very fair, and gave up a long time ago trying to get a tan, by any means. I’ve learned to embrace the pale.

Bron Avatar

As I live in the not so sunny UK I have to use self tanner, unless I want my legs to look milk bottle white! Xen-tan is definitely my favourite as it doesn’t leave your skin looking patchy or orange toned, and just gives a nice glow, but is also buildable if you want to go a little darker, all around the perfect self-tanner for me! 🙂

jodda Avatar

I would, but I live in humid Texas heat. I sweat and that leaves light spots in weird places, like behind the knees. I’ve tried exploiting, showering after the couple hours after color change, etc. Does anybody else have the sweating/faux tanning problem or any suggestions? It’s not exactly attractive, lol.

Rengirl Avatar

No need. I tan very easily and I only need to stand bare in the sun for a few minutes to get a glowy, summer tan. That or I use bronzer if I’m stuck in the office all day.

Liz Avatar

I do. I have a birthmark in between my eyebrows, a strawberry, and the facial self tanner makes it a lot less noticeable. With the right amount I can even go makeup free.

Heather Avatar

I do self tan….not all year around but only in the spring time before my natural tan starts to develop. Estee Lauder makes a FABULOUS one, so natural and suprisingly NONE of that nasty smell. Its also bronzing so you can see where it goes and blend it out properly and I have never had a problem with it coming off on my sheets or clothing. To me the only downside is the price ($36 Canadian) but I only use it so rarely its justifiable. Anyone who is super pale like me (nc20 and sometimes in the dead of winter nc15 🙂 should check it out! Its called Bronze Goddess Golden Perfection Tinted self tanning Gelee. Also, to help with streaking I have always found it helpful to first apply the tanner with hands as evenly as possible and then use a large synthetic buffing brush to really smooth things out.

jana Avatar

I use the Estee Lauder one, too. For a few years already. It’s really great, the smell is not too bad and it’s not orange. For my face I use the Chanel one. Since I easily burn in the sun I use self tanner maybe once a week in summer to look healthy.

Laura Avatar

For my pale irish skin during the summer Johnsons holiday skin body lotion is beatuiful so natural, never streaks, really moisturing and so cheap!!

Kathrina Avatar

Oh no, because it would look just ridiculous and unnatural on me. I tried it once back in my early teens but ended up looking as orange as an oompah-loompah. (Next couple of days at school were awful! :P). I rather stick to my fair – medium skin instead of pretending to be dark. I don’t think it’s necessary for fair-skinned people to make themselves look tanned. If your skin is naturally pale I guess it will just suit you and look pretty.

margot Avatar

I simply use a gradual self tanning lotion for my legs as they never seem to tan and they are freakin’ pale! But that’s the extent, and always just one shade slightly darker and golden-y. No full-on self tanner otherwise.

Kat Avatar

Yeah, I do my neck, décolletage, and arms year round and I do my legs during the warmer months or even during the winter if I’m playing basketball – and thus in shorts.

tiffany Avatar

yep, i use jergens natural glow in fair/medium…it actually doesn’t give too much color. i like it b/c it smells really good! and also it gives just enough color so that i look healthy 🙂

Michilicious ~ Avatar

No. I don’t feel a desire to pay to get a tan.
If I wanted to get a tan, I could just go out and get one in the summer since I tan pretty easily.
I remember last summer… I went swimming in the ocean in a park kinda place and when I was home, suddenly my face was tanned!? O.- Lol 😛

Melissa Avatar

I did once in high school, some Jergens self tanner gradual moisturizer lotion. It looked so awful on me even though it only darkened my skin slightly. Really unnatural. It’s been years since then and I haven’t had the slightest desire to use anything. I’ll let me pale skin be, and if it so happens to get a little color from being outside and sunscreen wearing off then it’s fine.

Danielle Avatar

The only tan I rock is my moon-tan! I’m very, very fair, and I don’t tan naturally. I’m convinced that I just wasn’t meant to have any darker or warmer of a skin-tone than I already do, and for the sake of my sanity, I’m fine with that. Spending money on self-tanners, whether it’s tanning lotions for face and body, spray-tan, or tanning bed sessions isn’t something I can justify– my skin wasn’t meant to be those colors, and trying to make it any different has only lead to problems like clogged pores, streaks, weird tones, and burns! I’m okay with being pale : )

Amy Avatar

I do spray tan (mystic or versa spa). It’s only $40 a mo in my area (unlimited sprays) and comes out perfect every time. No mess, no work, no bottles, etc. I get the medium color which gives me just enough to look not pale – like I’ve been in the sun a bit – and evens out my skin tone. I’m very pale otherwise and I think it shows every vein/mark/blemish/etc. Love having more color!
If I was going to do it at home I use Sun Labs spray – use gloves and wipe in – it drys instantly. Then Neutrogena Micro Mist for my hands and feet after take the gloves off. Looks great – just more work and more times a week in upkeep than professional spray tanning.

RosaVee Avatar

Yes! Especially when it starts to get warmer and I show off my legs! Haha! I am medium skin tone (nc30) but love going darker to about NC40.

Cindy Avatar

I hate the upkeep, but my neck is about ten shades lighter than my face or body, so I have to use self tanner there to even out my skin. It’s impervious to the sun and stays alabaster white all year, while the rest of my skin is a peachy beige. :/

michelle Avatar

Yes I use self tanning cream all year round. I have pale skin normally and I can get a tan if I spend. A lot of time in the sun but not worth risking skin cancer. I use banana boat summer color self tanning lotion in light-medium. And I love it! Does have a funny smell but I only notice it if I sweat. Its a gradual tanner so it gives u a healty glow at first and darkens as u keep using it. I tried a lot of different self tanners and this is the only one I found that doesn’t streak or make u look orange. Plus its tinted so you can’t mess it up. I love it! Its a lotion so it spreads really well. You can get it at walmart for about $7. Its the best I’ve ever used.

michelle Avatar

Ladies try banana boat summer color self tanning lotion. Only cost $7 at walmart. Its the only one I use that doesn’t streak or look orange. All self tanning lotions usually have a weird smell so I use it a night and it dries quickly and doesn’t leave traces on your sheets. I’ve tried a few different ones and I think this one is the best! Love it.

Alicia Avatar

I think Asians in general should stick to their natural tan! I don’t understand why people would self-tan and end up looking like an orange blob! Westerners too, they are given beautiful fair skin for a reason 🙂

em Avatar

I am an irish german redhead with seethru pale skin. I use tanner religiously on my arms chest and neck to not look so blue from my inner workings showing through my lily white skin HAHA. I use nivea sun kissed radiant skin gradual tan. I love it. It dries in a minute, smells pleasant, doesn’t get that horrid tanner smell when it develops, and best of all, is completely natural and convincing looking!

Helena Avatar

I used to, in sixth grade. Ugh orange finger webs. I love pale skin, now, and actually wish it were more uniformly light (I have some tan spots, eep!). My one problem is the veins! Green, blue… Although my skin shows some really awesomely gnarly bruises pretty easily, too, and I love it.

DarkGlamour17 Avatar

I know a girl who’s PURE orange all year round it’s kinda freaky. I on the other hand did use self tanner but stopped after it didn’t work well.

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