My 4 Self-Tanning Must Haves.

Did you know that one person dies every minute from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer? If that fast fact doesn’t have you protecting yourself from the sun, then I don’t know what can. Sunscreen is a must. Each and every day.

A real tan is just not an option these days. Especially when there are so many great self-tanners on the market. Here are my four self-tanning must haves: a self tanner for my face and one for my body, a temporary tan product to even out or deepen my self tan as it fades, and a little something for my self-tanning mistakes.

Self-tanner for Face

Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanner - $35.00
Clarins has long been a brand I turn to for self-tanners, especially when it comes to my face. This milky self-tanner is a dream. It applies easily (like a liquid moisturizer) and dries in a few minutes. I like to apply it every other night to keep my face with the light, very natural looking golden glow I like.

Self-tanner for Body

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse - $32.00
I’ve used this for a few years and it is the one self tanner that gives me the most consistent, even tan on my body each and every time. I apply the lightweight mousse to a tanning mitt and then rub it carefully all over my skin. It is tinted, so I can see exactly where it is applied. It dries in a minute, so I can get dressed soon after. My tan is fully developed in a few hours and I am a beautiful golden brown. When I first start self-tanning, I apply one coat in the morning and then another on the same night to get my desired color. I then re-apply every five days to maintain the color.

Instant Wash-off Tanner

Tea Tan Glow Wash-Off Body Bronzer - $22.90
If I am going somewhere special and want to deepen my self-tan or need to even it out as my self-tan is fading, I use a temporary or wash off tanner. I like this instant body bronzer infused with tea extract, to give a natural, light golden glow. One coat is great to even out a tan and two coats is great to deepen a tan. Of course, it is also good for someone wanting an immediate tan that washes off.

Self-tanner Mistake Eraser

Bronze Buffer - 2 for $10.00
Just in case I ever make a mistake, which I constatnly seem to do around my ankles, I use this new Bronze Buffer to remove the unwanted color. The Bronze Buffer is a cute little sun shaped sponge that when damped with water, gently buffs away the unwanted color.

With great self-tanners available, there really is no excuse to subject skin to the damage of the sun.

Tan Overnight with Sun Laboratories.

I am off to a sunny locale for vacation! Of course I am self-tanning because the thought of my pasty white legs on a beautiful golden sand beach even gives me the willies. An overnight is easy when you have the right products and I have found some new ones that are giving me the glow I want and fast. What am I using? Well, I am using three products as part of my self-tanning routine. They come from self-tanning brand Sun Laboratories, and this is the Tan Overnight Self Tanning Lotion Set.

The set includes three products: an exfoliator body gel, a self-tanner and a tan extender.

Exfoliant Body Gel

I use this gel with a netted sponge for a few days before I started self tanning. I'll continue to use it once or twice a week in order to keep the dead skin off, which helps keeps a self-tan longer.

Self Tanning Lotion

This tinted tanning lotion, with a yummy cherry almond scent, contains the right amount of color to see where I apply the lotion. It absorbs and dries pretty quickly.  I noticed my skin color deepen, almost too dark initially. Once I showered off the tint or color guide, the golden tan was a perfect medium shade. Not too light or not too dark. I am using Dark, which actually leaves my skin a nice believable bronze. I've had a lot of experience with self-tanning, so I am pretty good at application. There is also an Ultra-Dark shade available.

Tan Moisturizer Maintainer

I am using this every night before bed to maintain my tan. It is a lotion that contains a very light blend of DHA (the self-tanning ingredient) to help maintain and extend the tan. It has a fresh Aloe Vera scent and absorbs quick and keeps my skin hydrated too.

So far, my tan is looking good and I am on day three. I would probably reapply the Self Tanning Lotion every five days to maintain the color I want.

The Tan Overnight Self Tanning Lotion Set sells for $43.95 online.

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