Labor Day is six weeks out (although my kid goes back to school in three—weird) so there’s still plenty of time to get your faux glow on. These days I’m all about innovative formulas that take your tanning to the next level, and here are three that I can’t stop thinking about as we head into the homestretch of summer.
St.
Tropez In Shower Gradual Tan
My first foray into in-shower tanning was with Josie Maran’s
now-unavailable product. While it was great in concept, the foaming formula had
to be applied with a shower pouf, and it was so tinted that it made a big old
mess in my shower. Needless to say after much initial excitement, I lost
interest after just a few uses.
I decided to revisit this tanning approach when St. Tropez launched their version about a month ago, and boy, what an improvement. Slathering on this white cream is a breeze, and it somehow manages to stay put on wet skin. After applying a layer, I simply keep myself occupied for three minutes and rinse it off, taking care to pat my skin dry rather than rubbing. The only downside about this product is that it’s a gradual tanner, and I have to use it for a few days straight to see any color payoff. But with that said, it’s a real time saver and I have yet to experience any streaks or mishaps.
Svelta
Tan Skin-Perfecting Self-Tanner
Packed with plenty of naturally derived good-for-your-skin
ingredients (such as aloe vera, camu camu, green tea leaf extract and sweet
almond oil), this tinted self-tanning lotion is the bomb. The instant color is
gorgeous (and slightly sparkly) and resulting faux glow is deep and long
lasting.
I also received the Luxe Coffee & Raw Sugar Body Scrub and this didn’t disappoint either. It obviously has a heady coffee scent (which I quite enjoy) and the almond and olive oil base leaves my skin super-moisturized after the ground coffee and raw sugar polish away rough, dry skin and old self-tanner buildup. The company recommends using to prep the skin for self-tanner, but I save it for in-between tans because I’ve found oil-based scrubs interfere with even self-tanner application.
Marula
Pure Beauty Oil Bronzing Self-Tan Marula Oil
If you like facial oil and you like facial self-tanners, this
product gives you the benefits of both in one. Its base of fast-absorbing, antioxidant-rich
marula oil helps shield skin from environmental damage and leaves skin soft,
smooth and hydrated—and the subtle tint gives you an instant sun-kissed
appearance and deeper color with repeated applications. Full disclosure: I have
not personally tried this yet, but I’m anxious to get my hands on it!
