TANCEUTICALS || GO TO SELF TANNER

Hey everyone,

Today I am here with another beauty review. I get asked a lot if I use a self tanner and which one do I use or would recommend that gives a nice natural colour. Yes, I do use a self tanner and the one that I use is a must try (keep reading below).

I have tried many self tanners over the years and some were horrible (mise well say I looked like an Oompa Loompa. You know, those orange skinned characters on the Willy Wonka movie) yeah, wasn't the best look on me or on anyone for that matter. Then there were some that I really liked that gave an amazing colour but the smell of some were so unbearable and I would be so self conscious about it if I was in public. Then I finally came across Tanceuticals and my self tanning experience changed forever.

When I came across Tanceuticals I was of course a little sceptical as I always am at first when it comes to self tanners but I am always willing to try something new and give it a go. Well, I am so glad that I decided to use this line because the results were amazing and the smell of these products is so good. If you like the smell of coconuts mixed with tropical fruit then you will love these self tanners. Not to mention, Tanceuticals is also rated #1 Self Tanner on selftanning.com

All of these are great Self Tanners but if I had to chose between the lotion or the mousse, I would definitely choose the lotion. The reason being is because I find it easier to use and to apply to my skin as it's less messy. You can apply it with your hands or with the Tanceuticals Self Tanner Mitt. I use the mitt to make sure I get an even streak-free layer all over my body.

The mousse is great too as it has a "guide" when you apply it which I love. What I mean about that is when you apply it to the mitt and then start applying it to your skin in a circular motion, the colour transfers right away so you are able to see exactly where you are applying the self tanner. This is great but I do find it transfers onto my clothes throughout the day before you have a shower or if you apply it before bed it will transfer onto your sheets as well. The good news is it does come out in the wash so you don't have to worry about ruining your clothes or bedding which is a huge plus.

The face lotion is nice as well and I find you don't need a lot of this when you apply it. I like to put a thin layer all over my face and down onto my neck so it blends nicely with the rest of my body. You can also apply this with the mitt but I like to apply it with clean finger tips and then washing my hands right away after application.

The Do's and Dont's
Do's:
- Shave or Wax before
- Shower
- Exfoliate
- Wear loose clothing (optional)
- Make sure to wash your hands well after each use

Don't:
- Don't apply body cream all over the body before applying Self Tanner (on those dry areas like the knees, elbows and heels, you may apply cream to those areas only to prevent those areas from becoming darker as they are drier areas)
- Don't shower for at least 6-8 hours (it needs time to develop colour)
- Don't exercise or sweat

The Before and After

The before and after pictures below are with one use and with the Dark Lotion. Of course you could do a couple of applications to achieve a darker colour but I wanted to show you all what it looks like with just one light application. I do not have a before or after picture of the Ultra- Dark Lotion but I must say, if you want an even darker richer colour with just one use then I would really recommend getting the Ultra-Dark. Trust me when I say this, even though it is Ultra-Dark the result you get still looks natural.

Before:

After:

(Dark Lotion)

I apply Tanceuticals once a week but you can apply it as many times as you wish. I like to start exfoliating two days before I tan again to make sure I get all of the old tan off before re-applying. It is so important to make sure you have gotten majority, if not all of the old tan off first because if you apply a fresh tan on your old tan then you will definitely have some patchy areas and it wont look too pretty.

Thank you so much for stopping by, xo!!

This post was sponsored by Tanceuticals but all thoughts and opinions are my own!

VITA LIBERATA SELF TANNER REVIEW

I once did a self tanner review a while back and I thought I would do an updated post on what I currently use and recommend. It is that time of year that when we want to start self tanning and getting our skin ready for spring and summer.

I have tried so many self tanners from sprays, to creams, to mousses and so on. I definitely had ones that I absolutely loved and ones that I absolutely hated and wished I had never used.

I hope you find this post helpful!

VITA LIBERATA {2-3 week tan lotion}
Buy Here



This self tanner is definitely one of my favorites due to the fact that it is really easy to use, it is odourless, fast drying, long lasting up to 2-3 weeks and it gives you amazing colour.

I recommend using this mitt to apply the self tanner
Buy Here


How to Apply:
Ok, it is so easy I promise!!

1. Make sure you have "clean exfoliated" skin. Exfoliated skin is always key in an even tan.
2. Add two to three pumps of the self tanner to the mitt and apply in circular motions over the areas you want to tan. Using a mitt ensures an even streak-free application and you also save a lot of product when using a mitt as well.
3. Apply to the tops of the hands and feet but make sure you apply it last with whatever is left on the mitt. You don't want to add too much self tanner in these places as you tend to have dryer skin.
4. Make sure you let your skin dry fully before putting on "loose" clothing.
5. Do not shower, bath, go swimming or sweat for at least 6-8 hours after applying.

How to Maintain:
1. Apply two to three times over for the next few days after the first application to achieve the colour you want. You may want to do an application every 24 hours until you are content with the shade you are at.
2. Do not exfoliate until you are ready to do an overal "fresh" application.
3. Keep your skin moisturized and hydrated
4. Do not use harsh soaps and avoid chlorinated pools for longevity


It is formulated without any:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

Choose Fair for a subtle glow
Choose Medium for a golden bronze tone
Choose Dark for a deep tan


VITA LIBERATA {Rapid Tan Mousse} 
Buy Here




This is another self tanner that I use if I need an instant tan which develops within an hour or two until you reach your desired colour. It is also easy to use, odourless, fast drying, comes with the mitt and a streak-free application.

I apply and maintain it the same way as I would with the Vita Liberata {2-3 week lotion} MINUS applying it a few days over to build up a tan. If you do this with the Vita Liberata Rapid Tan you will look ridiculously tan to the point where you won't look natural at all {unless that is what you are trying to achieve}.

It is formulated without any:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

Thank you so much for stopping by, xo!!

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HOW TO APPLY SELF TANNER

GET THE IMPORTANT STUFF DONE FIRST

If you need to get a wax, shave your legs or even get a manicure/ pedicure, do any of these first before self-tanning. This is crucial as any of these can remove the self-tanner once it has been applied.

EXFOLIATE

Another important step before self- tanning is to exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. This is so important as self-tanner sinks into dry skin leaving you looking patchy and uneven, um gross!
Using an exfoliating puff or body wash, exfoliate your whole body and wherever you are more dry focus more on those areas like the elbows, knees etc.
Don't forget to exfoliate your face as well with a gentle exfoliating cleaner or with a Clarisonic.

DRYING OFF

This one is obvious but make sure when you get out of the shower or bath to wait 10 minutes until you are 100% dry before applying the self-tanner.

SKIN SHOULD BE MOISTURIZED

Even though you want to be 100% dry, you will also want to add a little bit of moisturizer back into your skin before you self tan. Apply a lightweight lotion around your nose, knees, elbows, ankles and any other area on your body that is dry. This will prevent the areas from looking orange or dark once the self-tanner has been applied.

PICKING THE SELF-TANNER

There are a tone of different self tanners on the market these days from mousse formulas, to sprays and even gels. Mousses tend to be the easiest to rub in as sprays are great for those hard to reach areas. Choose a self-tanner to your skin tone not what you want as your desired look. Go with a light to medium self-tanner if you have fair skin and a dark formula if you have olive skin. Remember, if you chose a formula that is a "gradual self-tanner" it can take up to two to four applications to reach the right shade.

I did a post on my favorite self-tanners, you can read all about it here.

START AT THE BOTTOM AND WORK YOUR WAY UP

This is the technique that I like to start with but you can choose whatever way you want. With clean hands or latex gloves {which is what I use}, smooth on the self-tanner in circular motions. Start at your ankles {feet} and work your way up to your shoulders to prevent any weird lines or marks when you are bent over. Save your arms and hands for last.

TAKE IT EASY ON YOUR FACE

Dab on a dime size amount where you would naturally tan. Your forehead, the apples of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose and your chin, all blending outward with your fingertips {I would be using latex gloves for this one}. Be extra careful around your nose and above your lip as these areas tend to be drier. Whatever is left, apply along the hairline and past your jaw line.

DRYING TIME

If the product say's to wait ten minutes to dry, I would wait fifteen. Always wait a little longer than what the product say's.

**A little trick that I like to do is to add baby powder all over my body where I have applied the self-tanner. This trick is to prevent the tanner from transferring onto my clothes**

Always wait 6-8 hours before having a shower and during this time you shouldn't be sweating either, save the gym for later.

 CLEANING IT UP

We always make mistakes. If you have any streaks or splotches, rub half of a lemon on the area for a few minutes before removing with a damp cloth. It works like a charm!

MAINTAINING IT

You can't predict how long self-tanner will technically last but certain measures can prolong it. Use a gentle body wash and make sure your skin is always moisturized. Using acne creams or harsh chemicals will dissolve the colour on your face.
Once you're ready to refresh the tan, begin with exfoliating and repeat all the steps.


Now that the colder months are approaching, most of us are going to start self-tanning. With the simple steps above, you can be assured that your tan will look amazing!!!

What are your favorite self-tanners?

Thank you so much for stopping by and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @sincerelymissash