Self-tanning lotions?

[SpecialK]

Okay, I'm going on vacation in 3 weeks. I'm so white I'm translucent. I live in Northern Canada. I don't think I'm going to see enough sun to change that in time for my vacation. (Besides, I've heard all that stuff about tanning being bad, yadda, yadda.)

So, my question: Self-tanning lotions? Has anyone tried them? If I try this, will I end up looking like a blotchy translucent freak? I've never even bought the stuff, I have no idea how it works. Any and all tips are appreciated.

K

 

[Wizard]

Tan in a can.........I say sunblock and go natural .........a little real sun at a time.........Sun is bad news anymore..........

Just my thoughts.........

 

[Weird Harold]

So, my question: Self-tanning lotions? Has anyone tried them? If I try this, will I end up looking like a blotchy translucent freak? I've never even bought the stuff, I have no idea how it works. Any and all tips are appreciated.

K

Early versions of self-tanning lotions had a tendency to work better where ever the skin creased, producing a very uneven appearance with all of the wrinkles highlighted.

Since they are still on the market some 30 years after their first appearance, I can only presume the work better now than they did then. Make sure you read the instructions and warnings, and you should have at least a start on a tan in no time at all.

Most of the self-tanning lotions I see on the shelves are sunblock AND tanning accelerator. I infer that the lotion alone isn't going to tan you unless you get some sun as well.

 

[willfulbrat]

Self-tanning lotions never seem to look quite right -- especially around the hands and feet. I suggest going to a tanning bed. That'll give you a gorgeous tan. Then if you want your legs a little darker, put the self-tanner on them. That way if it streaks, it won't be nearly as apparent.

 

[Juliet]

Being a fair complected blonde that has had several pre-cancerous moles removed in the last year I say...forget the tanning bed. I have used many of the self tanning lotions. Applied correctly and in moderation they can look as real as the real thing. One suggestion is...smell them before purchasing them. Some of them have a very strong odor that doesn't go away. From the one's I have used I like Banana Boat and Bande So Lei.

I have the same routine I go through to apply them. I take a long bath, exfoliate and shave. Then I apply lotion to my entire body. With rubber gloves on I apply the tanning lotion as evenly as possible avoiding my ankles and elbows. As someone said in an earlier post creases are harder to cover without looking messy. Once I am finished applying it to my arms and legs I rub my ankles and elbows with the very faint amount that is left from the gloves and my arms and legs.

Look for one that has a color indicactor added in so it is easier to see where you have put it. This is something I have learned the hard way because with some you don't know you've screwed it up until 6 hours later and by that time it is too late! Another thing too is that my dermatologist confirmed they are completely safe.

 

[Willing and Unsure]

if you choose to go natural and use sunscreen (which you should use anyway)... put it on about a half hour before you plan to be out in the sun. the chemicals need time to react with your skin for it to work properly. and if you're going to be swimming/sweating put it on a few times while you're out (found that out the hard way a few times). and all you really need for sunscreen is an spf 15 or 30... anything higher than that does the same as those two do

 

[SoftPeaches]

I have a friend that swears by the Coppertone sunless tanning lotion. She looks pretty good. She said the only drawback is that if you put it everywhere you cannot sit down or anything for 30 min.
I am debating on whether or not to buy it (I am translucent as well, with a general distaste for tanning, as it will produce wrinkles). Cosmo said good things about Coppertone too, come to think of it. Hope this helps!