L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Facial Drops

 

It's sunny season almost and that means self tanner season for those of us who like to be bronzed. And I do, I love being tan but I'm not about to bake myself in the sun, first we all know that's not good for you and I'm not a big fan of the heat, so faux it is. I've been a fan of L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze line  having used many iterations of it over the years . This year brings face tanning drops you add to your fav moisturizer.

The directions say add 5 or more drops to a pea size spot of moisturizer , mix, then apply to face. The tanning serum is  pretty moisturizing itself with hylauronic acid and a lot of slip . I've been blending it with my day cream but I think it could be used alone to be honest. Last night I used mostly drops with a little night cream  and it worked fine. I'm getting good results with this, the first use I had a light just barely noticeable tanned look, the second a day later more bronzed  but not dark or overdone or orangey. ( for reference , I have fair skin) .

On application you have a hint of tint and then it takes 6-8 hours to fully develop. The color is lasting too . With washing my face twice a day I wondered how it would hold up, but the 2 applications  Saturday and Sunday still had some color  through Wednesday when I did another round.  With the drops you can add more or less  for the color you want and how often.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Water Mousse

My pale self is a big fan of self tanning , I love that "healthy glow " but it's not so healthy unless it's faux so I gave L'Oreal's newest , Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Water Mousse a try. 

I've generally had good luck with l'Oreal's self tanners, their Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Milk is a favorite and one I would and probably will buy again.

This new mousse  gives a light natural looking bronzed tan on first application after about 5 hours. It's  very lightweight, blends easily without streaking and dries pretty fast. It is tacky/sticky for a couple hours but not that bad and you can get dressed within 10 minutes I'd say. 

 It doesn't have that self tanner odor but does have a fairly strong floral/coconut scent. It's more than I'd like but it's not something I mind too much. 

The one application was a nice boost of color and I was noticeably darker but not a lot darker.  I'll need one more to get to a more deeper shade since this is my first tanning sesh of the season .  

Overall I like the ease of use with this and have always done well with the Sublime Bronze line. Do you use self tanners ? What's your favorite? .

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Water Mousse  is approx. 11.99 depending on retailer including Amazon .

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self Tanning Milk

It's time to get out the self tanner. I just saw 90 in our forecast this week. Yikes.

Every year self tanners seem to get easier and less smelly and this year looks to be no exception.   Since I use them all Summer , I like one that works well , that's easy to use, no muss no fuss and fast drying.  It's all here with L'Oreal's new Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self Tanning Milk.

This lightweight tanner applies just like ( and acts as ) a body lotion, the thin formula moisturizes nicely ( with glycerin and honey), sinks in quickly and within a few hours gives skin a hint of  even color. Each application builds the shade a little more, so you can control how dark you want to be and not worry about overdoing it. It's very gradual. After 2 subsequent applications I had a more noticeable but still believable tan.

This does not streak  or look patchy , it has just a little self tanner "odor"  that  fades fast  and the color lasts well.

It doesn't get much easier than this , grab it at Amazon  , drugstores and L'Oreal  . Retail ranges from 10.99 - 12.99

Skinny Tan 7 Day Dark Tanner

Happy June . That means it's time to start self tanning since  shorts, crops and yes, bathing suits are coming out of hiding.

This past weekend and the weekend before I  busted out my Skinny Tan 7 Day  Dark Tanner . It's shorts weather but my legs are PALE.

A gel in a new dark tan formula, this gave me a nice  medium color on the first use .  Not that deep, since we were starting with such paleness but  a good shot of natural looking color after 3 hours.

The tanning gel applies easily with the bronzer built in and dries fast.  I felt tacky for about 15 minutes but still felt I could get dressed , sit down  etc .  I used a tanning glove and  had zero streaks.  The company also makes a finger sponge, good for the face or small area touch ups.

The directions say that 2-3 hours gives  a light glow and 5-8 hours/overnight the deepest tan effect. I did  3 hours the first use but  next , a week later, I went 7 hours and got much better, deeper, results. But that of course depends on how much color  you want and how fast you want it to develop.  It also covers flaws and  gives a smoother look.   That's a big ( tanned ) thumbs up.

This truly has almost no odor,  I can smell just a touch of a coconut scent and that lasts briefly. Guarana extract is in there for some firming  along with sunflower and sweet almond oils for light moisture and slip when applying.

This lasts too, I am on day 5  and the color is holding.

Skinny Tan 7 Day Dark Tanner is $ 39.95 at www.skinnytan.com , Amazon.

Votre Vu Silk Stockings Tinted Body Lotion

Have zero time to self tan or forgot to get it done when you did have some time? ( That would be me many a day) . Votre Vu to the rescue with Silk Stockings, a tinted  body lotion.

Silk Stockings  has a good tint to it.  Much more than barely there , it gives a medium bronzed look and glow. It's a  thin lotion and you don't need a lot each time.  That makes it  easily blended for tanned gams  or guns any time of  day.  It also offers light coverage helping to conceal any veins or whatever you might have.

Once you apply give it a minute to dry and off you go.  While I don't know if it is transfer resistant, Votre Vu  does say that it stays put until you wash it off , so it sounds like it is.  I  haven't had any issue yet and I love the easy color it gives me. 

It's also lightly hydrating with calendula, vitamin E  and cornflower among it's ingredients. 

Votre Vu Silk Stockings is $ 34 at www.votrevu.com

Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion & Rapid 4-7 Day Tan Mousse

Self tanning is in full swing over here  and  one of my top brands from last year has two new formulas out to make us bronzed beauties.

New from Vita Liberata are pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion and Rapid 4-7 Day Tan Mousse.

The brand is rightly prized for being  fast drying , long wearing and having no scent. All those are true here with the new ones , but  both of these are even faster drying than previous ones. Kind of too fast , as you need some time to work with it to get blended before it sets. So I've taken to mixing  in a small amount of body lotion for more slip and blendability. I've done this several times with no change to  the how the self tanner works.

The 2-3 Week Tan Lotion is just that , a semi thick lotion with a deep bronze tint.  The Dark shade has an even deeper tint, which looks pretty awesome on my pale legs.

I have yet to manage to find the time for  2 or 3 consecutive applications that are supposed to give you that 2-3 week wear  , but with one application I do get a long lasting tan . I get long wear with the Rapid 4-7 Day Mousse as well , so either one of these gets that job done.

 The Vita Liberata tanners all have a deep bronzer  built in so you have color right off. When that's rinsed off you have a light tan  , not super dark, but just a nice color with Medium lotion, darker with Dark lotion.  Obviously each application if done in succession will give more color. Each comes with it's own mitt as well.

Vita Liberata  pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion  is $54

Vita Liberata Rapid 4-7 Day Tan Mousse is $ 43

Both are available at Sephora .

Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel

 Self tanning season is in full swing and here's a new to me one from Hampton Sun.   Coming to you from Southhampton , NY  , Hampton Sun is  a luxe brand that channels, where else, The Hamptons.

To get your Hamptons  or Anywhere/Everywhere  glow on , their Sunless Tanning Gel is an easy to use tanner that with one application gives you  light color.   You can of course  build with each use until you get to your preferred level of tan. Two uses for me gave me a just right look for early Summer.

I had no streaks, no smudges and it dried pretty quick, about 10 minutes. The color developed in about 5 hours. It's a moisturizing gel with walnut oil and aloe vera .

The gel has  just a little "self tanner smell" and mainly has  a green floral scent  that reminds of tiare and jasmine. I assume it's related to the brand's Privet Bloom fragrance but I have yet to sniff that.  It 's a light , summer-y and floral scent .

Hampton Sunless Tanning Gel is $ 34   for a 4.4 oz tube.

http://www.hamptonsuncare.com

Vita Liberata pHenomenal Self Tanner

 

Vita Liberata is the unusually named  self tanner from the UK now available at Sephora. Have you noticed that the UK has some of the top self tanners ?  Remember St. Tropez is UK as well. Most would say it's because no chance of a sunburn there but I might disagree , since I got a little  burn on a Thames boat tour when I was there. Of course the Duchess of Cambridge and her sis Pippa are  two of Britain's most famous tanners with Kate even getting a  spray tan just before her wedding.

So Vita Liberata has hit our shores just in time for tanning season.  And I self tan, all Summer.   Their pHenomenal is said to be long lasting ,   up to 3 weeks with 3 applications which really appeals to me. It's organic and odorless.

Let's test it out.

 I did 2 back to back applications ( it's a foaming liquid)  which the company says should bring 10 +  days of wear.     I can say that Vita Liberata is one of the easiest tanners I've used. It goes on smoothly, dries incredibly fast  with no streaks , no missed spots. I did use the mitt, first time I have ever used a mitt. I always thought. " I don't need a mitt". Well after using it, I like the mitt. It's especially helpful when a tanner has deep bronzing agents as these do. Bronze legs= good, bronze palms= not good.

I applied per instructions in a circular pattern . Up, down , around. It dried in 5 minutes , had a nice not too dark , but very noticeable , bronze color.  With the pHenomenal, you wash off with water  the bronzer before re-applying. Then I did coat 2 the next day. You need to wait 3-8 hours between applications.

When the bronzer was washed off I was left with a light, natural looking tan. Nothing deep and  a little paler than I like and this was using the dark formula.  So building this is the way to go for me.

As for the lasting color, well that's where I had some issue. It's been about 7 days and I have little color left. That's about normal for all tanners with me but not quite extra long wear.

Vita Liberata does say everyone's skin  reacts different with tanner, which is true. So your results may vary.

Overall though, I like this a lot. Many people still have fear of self tanner . This is practically goof proof and so anyone who's worried about looking orange or streaked, forget about it. No worries with Vita Liberata and that's a huge plus. Dress and go drying is a bonus as well, as is absolutely NO odor.

Also available is Sheer Tinted Mousse, equally easy, fast drying ,  streak and odor free  with normal wear time.

pHenomenal 2-3 week Tan comes in fair, medium and dark - $ 54
Sheer Tinted Mousse- one shade - $ 37.50

Both at  Sephora  

Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days to Glow & Foaming Daily Moisturizer

I'm a tanner, a self tanner that is. I love the stuff and use it all summer long.  Jergens has made theirs for many years now but this year it's  has gotten a solid upgrade with their no odor formula.

 Every year self tanners get a little less stinky and Jergens has done a good job here. The lotion does still have a tiny , tiny bit of odor but so little as to barely notice.

Better yet, since I can stand the stink of most tanners, is that their 3 Day goes on so easily and when dry ( and it does fast) there are no streaks even with a quick application which is my general modus operandi with self tanner.  With one use I got enough color  to feel better about baring my legs after winter, using the medium to dark option( I'm not into looking pale with my tan, when I want color, I want color).  And that color lasted several days without doing another.  Using each day gives you a nice golden glow but nothing overdone.  Color takes about 8 hours to develop.

 I have to say I am very impressed and it's been awhile since a drugstore tanning lotion did that. What can I tell you,  this is one category where drugstore has had a  hard time competing with high end. Thankfully that's not the case here.

I also tried the new Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer. This works as well as the lotion . The mousse applies evenly even with a quick use, it dries very fast and adds a little moisture without stickiness, or  any scent. Want to get dressed right away?  Boom. You're done.

These come highly recc'd if you want a nice self tan this summer.  I already have a  tube of lotion on the to buy list . Coupons are readily available as well , they've been in the Sunday papers  or you can hit up Jergens here for $1 one  .

Guerlain Jambes de Gazelle - Terracotta 2013

 

Guerlain Terracotta for summer is like many summer collections, one I look forward to. It's all about the bronze and Guerlain tackles not just your face but your body. They want all of us to have that South of France glow without the trip to the Riviera.

New Jambes de Gazelle is here to add a one day bronze look to legs, arms and decolette. It's a liquid spray that goes on with a cooling mist . It's  dark out of the bottle  but once you blend it in, it  becomes just a hint of color. Enough to look like you have a bit of a warm tan, but not like  an Amazon .

This is a transfer resistant spray that dries right away . You use it for the day and/ or  night and then shower off.  The subtle  fragrance of Tiare flower gives Jambes de Gazelle an even more tropical feel and the elegant glass bottle will give a chic summer look to the vanity .

Guerlain Jambes de Gazelle is $59  and will be at Saks , Bergdorfs. Neiman and Nordstrom and select Sephora.

St. Tropez Self Tan Gel

 

 

I don't subscribe to the summer is over at Labor Day deal. Especially when it's still really warm and humid.    One thing I refuse to give up on is my tan.  My self tan , that is. I'll still be tanning for awhile yet. After all , winter cover of pants and boots is most definitely not here yet.

If you're like me and still holding on that golden glow , one of the best tanning brands has always been St. Tropez. This year  brought out a new gel that gives a deep tan , but not dark and has a built in color guide which helps you see where it as as well as fast bronzing for immediate color. 


The gel dries fast and is easy to apply  and you can use St. Tropez's applicator mitt. As with any self tanner, be sure to get all over for even coverage. Aloe Vera is in there for moisture which also helps with application and  the company has been a pioneer in doing away with the self tanner smell using Aromaguard™ . So yes there is an odor, but not much of one.

Be sure to wait until it's "touch dry" before dressing and  give it 4 hours before getting wet. Then you're ready to go and will have a St. Tropez ready tan in a few hours.  The color guide will shower right off and you'll want to do that before bed.

St. Tropez Self Tanning Gel is $ 35

www.st.tropeztan.com and Sephora.

Kate Somerville Golden Glow Kit

Kate Somerville wants to help you get your summer glow on. It's no secret she makes the most amazing self tanner. Now you can get a set for face and body all in one.

The body towelettes are one of the best self tanners I've ever used. They give an even tan that turns out a warm , golden glow. And the tan last longer than most. I get a full week of color when I use it .

The face pads are super cute,  and you just wipe it all around your face, remembering to include ears and  under the jawline.

And finally, it comes with an Exfolikate,  which should be your first step to get skin smoothed and ready.

The kit contains:

6 Body Towelettes
6 Face Pads
.5 oz Exfolikate

Golden Glow Kit is $ 58.00 and qualifies for  free shipping on
 www.katesomerville.com

Also available at www.sephora.com 

Australian Gold Self Tanning Lotion

I love self tanner and I've tried a lot of them from high to low end. I like quite a few of them. New to me but on the shelves since last year is Australian Gold Self Tanning Lotion which now takes the title of most moisturizing self tanner ever. I kid you not, it feels like butter .

Perhaps the best part though? It dries really fast. You would never expect anything that feels this creamy and smooth to dry fast but it does. I had to wait maybe 5 minutes before dressing.

Application is easy since it blends so well. I take the time with all self tanners to really work it in and blend up and down and circular. I ended up with no streaks using this and had only one small spot that I missed on my arm. Color developed in about 4 hours and was a light tan. It's a gradual tanning lotion so two apps were needed to get more tan and to go even darker , you need another etc. I was tanning pretty pale skin the first time .While it is said to be Instant Bronzing also, it only leaves behind a slight bronze tint on application, but it does give you a little glow ( without shimmer).

Scent is barely there, you'll get no stinky tanner scent here, Australian Gold has their own trademarked Elimiscent technology and it works. Chamomile and Vitamin E are in the ingredients for skin benefits.

Look for Australian Gold products at Walgreens , Target and online at www.australiangold.com

Sugg. retail for Self Tanning Lotion is $ 8.99

mark Got To Glow Gradual Self Tanner/Body Moisturizer

I'm all about the self tanner you may have noticed.  I like all kinds , gradual, full on deepening and ones that bronze and tan. It's equal opportunity tanning.

In the gradual department is one coming in July from Avon's  mark.  Called Got To Glow Gradual Glow Body Moisturizer  Lotion , this not only self tans but also has SPF 15.

I have the Light to Medium version and  when they  say gradual here , they mean it.   On my pale arms 2 applications yielded a tiny hint of color. But on my one week previously self tanned legs , the  color got a nice boost from 1 application of this. 

The formula is very thin , and lotion like, so it's super easy to blend ( just be careful not to squeeze out too much),  dries  fast, gives even color and has a nice, light floral scent and adds  a good bit of moisture too.

Available  from July in  Light to Medium and Medium to Dark   at http://www.meetmark.com/

Retail is $ 14.00

Sephora Favorites In The Glow Summer Set

Sephora's Favorites In The Glow is an LE set of summer goodies to make your skin look its best. It's also a great way to try out many new products at once.  The set includes Clarins self tanner ( some of the best self tanners you will ever use) and the bestselling and always selling out Boscia Black Mask.

The set is $ 35.00 ( retail value is $ 110, according to Sephora) and includes :


-0.3 oz Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum

- 0.7 oz Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream

- 0.5 oz Kate Sommerville® ExfoliKate®

- 1 oz Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

- 0.5 oz Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation SPF 30

- 0.5 oz Ole Henriksen Truth Serum™

- 0.17 oz Josie Maran Argan Oil

Sephora.com

Kate Somerville 360°™ Tanning Towelettes

Kate Somerville's Tan Towelettes have been one of those things we've all seen on QVC many times as a big seller. Maybe you've bought them , a  lot of people have. But not me. I now know the error of my ways.

I use self tanners a  lot, all summer really and into autumn. I have never really went much for the towel types  until I tried the Somerville ones. I got one of the most even tans and the longest lasting tan  ever. The self tan from these towelettes last easily twice as long as any other self tanner I've used.  The Mom, even more into self tanning than I, tried one, and said to me did you notice how long these last ? 

The towellette  itself is a good size and has a lot of product. You can easily cover all of you with one . I still made sure to really go over all areas and blend well with the towel overlapping any areas I thought might need it.  Drying time was pretty fast and there was very little self tan odor.  The tan was deep but not dark . Perfect for me as I want color, not just a tint.

These are a bit more pricey than many other self tanning lines out there but I have to say with the extra wear time it can be worth it. I plan to keep some handy  for those special occasion times  or trips.  A pre short vacation  use  would  mean your tan would last the whole  trip depending on how much time  you spent in water. But these are also very easily packed for a top up.


Besides QVC, Kate Somerville Tanning Towelettes are available at Available at http://www.katesomerville.com/ , select  Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora, Space NK and Space NK UK

A box of  8 individual towelettes is $ 48.00 or on the brands website you can buy one for $ 6.00.

Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning for Face

 I' ve said many times ( including last year's post ) that Clarins is the gold standard of self tanners.  Many work well but none seem to give the even , streak free , naturally golden look of Clarins.  Last year was Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15, the year before -Delicious Self tanning Cream. Both amazing self tanners and among the best I've used.

This year 's addition is one for the face- Instant Smooth Self Tanning. It's very moisturizing yet not overly greasy, imparts a little bit of color on application, then gradually adds the self tan . It's not dark in any way ,just a little extra color and you can use as needed to get more and maintain. You don't need a lot and it has a rather nice scent . Eventually there's  a little "self tan" scent, but very little. This can easily be a multi tasker and used as your moisturizer .

A  key ingredient according to Clarins  is Acacia Micro Pearls, said to plump skin and  trap moisture.

 One thing to know- ingredients  include vegetable and sun flower  oil. So keep this in mind if you can't use oils on your face .

Available now  for $ 32.50 at all Clarins counters .

MAC Skinsheen Returns

One of my all time fav MAC products ( and there are a lot admittedly) is Skinsheen. I was disappointed to see it not re-released last year, but this year  it's back. Read my original review  here . Best news ? It's now  in permanent collection.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Clear Self Tanning Gel

Spring is in the air ( well most days) and we are starting to throw off our winter  gear and show a little more skin. That means many things, one of which , at least over here, is that it's time to think self tanner.   I can bear to bare ( sorry I had to) my arms and legs in all their pale glory .

 Skin after winter cover needs to be prepped to come out of hiding. Last week when it hit 75 I saw way too many arms in cami tops and legs in shorts that just weren't ready for their debut. Some embrace their paleness, I'm not one of them. I love to be tan , but minus the sun.

 Self tanner is the answer and  the new year brings new releases with  L'Oreal bringing out an addition to their Sublime Bronze range- Clear Self Tanning Gel.

It's a spray gel, clear as it says, that gives you a light glow  in a few hours and more with each application. The bottle says to use daily until you get your desired tan . I can say that with one application, while it was just a hint of color, it was a definite improvement and noticeable. 

The gel dries fast but is easily blended and there's some, but not a lot of , self tan odor.  About 4 hours elapsed before I saw  any color. This is perfect for  starting your tan. You can gradually build color while also getting a decent amount with each use. It won't take that many uses to get a good tan.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Clear Self Tanning Gel is in stores now.

Lierac Self Tanners

Lierac as well as making some top skincare also has a self tanning line. Two products are Autobronzant Hydratation Corps , a self tanning lotion for body and Bronzage Parfait Sans Soliel, a self tanning face gel.

The face gel is lightweight, non greasy and dries fast. It gives a subtle hint of of color after several hours. I am fairly pale and using this the first time I had a golden glow but it was just there, nothing too bronze or over done. In fact I would have been happy to have it darker. This makes it great for those us who are pale or someone who just wants to boost their skintone a bit.

The body lotion is a medium weight , moisturizing lotion that delivers a medium shade of color. Not as dark as many out there but a definite golden tan . The moisturizing properties make this especially nice if you have drier skin already. According to Lierac , this is also one to use to help prolong an existing tan and even it out.

All Lierac self tanners are available at select CVS stores and online at http://www.lierac-usa.com/

Autobronzant Hydratation Corps is $ 30.00 and Bronzage Parfait Sans Soliel for Face is $ 25.00