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Aside from the obvious fact that using a self-tanning product is a great way to avoid the sun’s aging and cancer-causing UV damage, if you’ve ever gotten a spray tan or successfully used a DIY self-tanner, you know that it also offers a slew of off-label benefits besides just adding color to the skin. From concealing bruises and scars to blurring the look of cellulite—and even creating a subtle contour (beginners proceed with caution!), there are plenty of perks to sunless tanning. Unfortunately, a certain former president has given sunless tanning a bad rap over his years in the limelight. We’re not naming names, but his faux tanning woes have even been the subject of academic research published in the National Library of Medicine).
While self-tanning mistakes are easy to make—even if you’re rich and famous—you don’t have to end up looking like a rotten tangerine with the right products, tools, and, most importantly, prep. We chatted with celebrity spray tan artist and founder of the A-list-loved self-tanning brand Dolce Glow, Isabel Alyssa, to find out her tips and favorite products for avoiding self-tanner mishaps.
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Skin Prep Is Key
Apparently, what you do before your self-tanning session is key to achieving natural-looking results. “If you know you need a tan for a special event, I highly recommend you start to prep weeks in advance (if you can) by moisturizing your body twice daily and keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day,” Alyssa tells The Daily Beast. “If you’re short on time, I recommend, at the minimum, that you exfoliate and shave the night before.” In other words, even if you are using the right products and have access to professionals, you could still end up with a streaky result.
Dolce Glow’s clean and skin-loving formulas are a good choice for mature and dry skin types because they’re free of dehydrating chemicals like butane and propane and are enriched with skincare ingredients to help nourish the skin and prolong the life of your tan. “We use hydrating ingredients [in our self-tanning products] to balance out the dehydrating ingredient that causes the tanning effect (DHA), such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, goji berry, and Australian macadamia oil,” she says.
Less Is More
Oftentimes, inadequate moisture and dry patches are the culprits for an uneven tanner dispersion and the hard line of demarcation between the face and hairline. To avoid a harsh line and blotchy effect, Alyssa also recommends avoiding shaving and using heavy oils or creams before applying the product. And don’t forget that less is more when it comes to self-tanning—especially when it comes to at-home spray formulas. “Over spraying any [self-tanning] solution can lead to streaky tans, and orange tans,” she says.
Color-Matching Is Not Always Intuitive
As for avoiding a tangerine-hued stain on the skin, color-matching is important, but not always easy—especially for those with naturally fair skin. “If you know you sunburn easily, stick to a light to medium shade. This doesn't mean you will only get a light/medium tan. With Dolce Glow products, for example, [this means] the product is meant for fair type clients, aka a perfect DHA percentage that will get you dark without any orange tones. If you tan naturally, you can tan in a medium to dark shade and sleep overnight with it without any orange tones,” Alyssa says.
For those of us with super fair skin types or who want a barely-there glow, she recommends Dolce Glow’s Clear Self-Tanning Mist. “If you want a good tan—that’s not streaky or overly orange—Dolce Glow is the way to go. Luce, our clear self-tanning mist is perfect for fair-type clients,” she says.
Not All Formulas Are Created Equal
While prep and application techniques are paramount when it comes to ensuring an even, golden glow, some at-home self-tanners are better than others. As a former spray tan addict who has to transition to at-home self-tanners during the pandemic, I’ve tried quite a few. Read ahead for my favorites below.
I first tried this self-tanning spray after asking a beauty editor friend (and fellow spray addict) for some help with at-home sunless tanner. Without thinking about it all whatsoever, she recommended this to me and gave me a sample she had. This is truly the best, most even, foolproof formula I’ve ever used in my two-decade experience with DIY self-tanning. Plus, it doesn’t smell as bad as most tanners and fades naturally, which is a major plus. The clear formula sprays on easily, while the nourishing, skincare-infused formula prevents clinging to dry patches while delivering added hydration for a lasting bronzed effect.
Honestly, this is one of the most innovative beauty products of all time. There are tons of mix-it-with-your-lotion sunless-tanning drops on the market now, but Tan-Luxe’s formulas were some of the first—and they remain the best in the category. In fact, the moment I found out self-tanning drops were a thing (at the height of my weekly spray tan addiction phase), I ran to Ulta to buy a bottle the very same day. The brand has since launched a slew of other excellent self-tanning products, but its O.G. face and body drops are still my favorite. Keep in mind that while the drops mix in easily with your favorite moisturizer, body cream, or facial serum (so you don’t have to choose between a faux glow and your nightly skincare routine!), they’re still pretty concentrated, so they will leave behind a slight odor and stain your hands if you don’t wash them immediately after application. But, as long as you follow the instructions, you truly cannot go wrong with these drops.
If you’re looking for self-tanning foam, which can make it easier to get a seamless, streak-free tan because you can see where the product has been applied, Coco and Eve’s hydrating, anti-aging formulas are some of the best on the market. The clean and non-toxic foam is made with the brand’s proprietary Cellushape formula to hydrate the skin, reduce texture, firm, and extend the life of the pigment. It’s also formulated with a hassle-free color-guide technology and neutral green-grey base to prevent overly orange tones—even if you apply too much product. This is a fabulous option for beginner self-tanners and seasoned veterans alike.
Formulated with color-correcting technology to prevent an unwanted orange effect, Isle of Paradise’s top-rated sunless tanning water is a great option for UV-free self-tanners of all levels. The clear tanning water comes with an easy-to-use dropper, which allows you to customize how light or deep your tan is (the more droopers, the darker your tan will be), making it a good choice for fair to medium skin tones. My favorite part is that it also contains firming and cellulite-targeting skincare ingredients, including caffeine and oat extract, so you get an instant wash of color that functions as a body concealer and continuous skin-enhancing benefits with regular use.
One of my favorite TikTok beauty hacks is using self-tanner to contour your face so you wake up to a naturally sculpted face without applying creams and bronzers in the morning. Unfortunately, this is a very tricky move to master, and if you make one wrong swipe or opt for a blush that’s slightly too fluffy, you’re stuck with the results for a few days. Dolce Glow’s latest drop is a game-changer, allowing you to chisel your cheekbones and jaw for a lasting look with precision and ease. The makeup and self-tanner hybrid allows you to instantly tan, contour, and highlight while giving you lasting results—use it for an instant bronze and reap the benefits for up to five days. Downright genius!
For those who want a subtle, buildable bronze that develops slower and smells less offensive than your average UV-free formula, Saltyface’s light and non-sticky tanning foam is a solid option. The luxe formula develops gradually over 24 hours and doesn’t transfer to your clothing or sheets after a couple of hours of setting. The skin-loving formula contains a blend of soothing and hydration-locking botanicals, along with aloe and cucumber extracts, to counteract any irritation.
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