Thursday, March 12, 2009

Beauty Bash - Sunless Tanner

Does anyone else think that sunless tanning lotion/foam/spray smells like dirty feet (or something similarly unpleasant)?

I've tried Jergens, Neutrogena lotion, Loreal spray, airbrush tanning, and mystic tan, all with the same stinky, streaky results. The airbrush tan worked beautifully for my bridal portraits (I had it done the day before), but my skin reeked for days afterwards, and it streaked and splotched 2 days in. {Believe me, that spray tan was so splotchy 4 days after I had it done that I looked like an orange dalmation on my honeymoon.}

But, since I was blessed with Casper-esque translucent skin, my quest continues to 'add a little color in my life'. This Neutrogena sun fresh foam promised a 'light citrus fragrance, gradual color that develops over 1-4 days, and a streak free finish'.

Pros: it went on easily, didn't streak at all (I only used it for 2 days, just to get a little color), and didn't turn me orange.
Cons: it smells like lemony fresh Pine-Sol.


What self-tanners have you tried? Are there any out there that work well and don't reek like yesterday's garbage?

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10 comments:

Imjustagirl said...

I use the sunscreen with self tanner in it and it does have any odor but not terrible or maybe I don't really notice because I am sitting in the sun and am all sweaty!Oh well I like the bath and body works sunscreen w/ self tanner:)

Anonymous said...

i used to use one that smelled like hemp, but it worked wonders. I can't remember the name of it. I'll try to find it at my mom's house when I go back home this week.

The Pettijohn's said...

I actually love Sublime Bronze towelettes by Loreal...I used them for my wedding and ever since!

The smell doesn't bother me too bad, because it gives me a nice natural looking color!!

I also use the face ones!

Rob and Amy said...

YES!!!!!!!!!! So funny that you mentioned this. I have always been a tanning bed girl (bad I know) but when my husband was laid off a month ago, I did away with my membership as it was an "unnecessary expense". I had a photo shoot last weekend and needed a little bit of a tan, and had never used a self tanner. I went to Sephora and the lady recommended one by Clarins. It was their self-tanner milk. I exfoliated and then moisturized and then put the self tanner on. It looks and feels just like a white lotion going on. There was NO streaking, NO smell, and it dried quick. It takes 4-6 hours for the color to fully set, so I did it the night before. I got tons of compliments on my color, and it looked sooo natural! It cost about $32 for the bottle, but I only used about 1/3 of it, so I have plenty left to use again!!! I would highly highly recommend it, and promise you won't be stinky OR orange =)

Sassy Engineer said...

I have always been afraid to try sunless tanner, but I have wanted to. Maybe I will try the neutrogena kind :)

The Shabby Princess said...

I use the Dove brand gradual tanner and mix it a little with some nice smelling body lotion and it works pretty well to mask the smell--it's the best thing I've been able to use over the years.

Amy said...

my sister and I have tried so many--we are both fair and our mom has had skin cancer so tanning is not for us--she swears by Too Faced Tanning Salon in a tube--you can find it at ulta if you have one or Sephora--it smells good and works well

Lindsey said...

I love lemon fresh smells, I need this!

That's Mrs. Russell said...

Actually, I've tried one or two before. I have also tried the lotion that "gradually" tans but I always end up getting a little 'orange-y" and quit using it after 2 or 3 days.

Kari Beth said...

terrified...TERRIFIED of self-tanners!