Suggest unto me a fake self-tanning lotion that wont make me smell goofy or look filthy!

March 17, 2012 10:48 PM

Suggest unto me a fake self-tanning lotion that wont make me smell goofy or look filthy!

I want to add some color to my alabaster shade and I do not really trust Amazon reviews on this sort of product.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a fake tanning lotion that:
• Wont give me that fake tan lotion smell
• Wont stain my clothes
• Wont look like a white guy playing an native american in a technicolor 50s movie
• Wont require me to exfoliate everything every day

Is such a miracle elixir even a thing?

Help me to please stop lookin like Powder.

posted by Senor Cardgage to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

I'm pretty pale, too, and Neutrogena Sun Fresh lotion for fair skin is the only thing that I've found that doesn't smell hideous (it has a kind of grapefruit scent) and also doesn't make me look grimy.
posted by scody at 11:07 PM on March 17, 2012

The dirty thing is an application issue. The people I know who get the best results do it by building up many layers over days instead of going for gold right out of the gate.

To some extent though, because your dead outer skin is naturally and constantly shedding, if it does so unevenly while fake-tanned, it can make previously great results patchy.
posted by -harlequin- at 12:26 AM on March 18, 2012

Several of my fair-skinned friends swear by Neutrogena as well. I was impressed that one had gotten a lovely tan and was even more impressed that it was straight out of a bottle that morning.
posted by qwip at 12:53 AM on March 18, 2012

I tried all of the "gradual tanning" products when they started coming out about four or five years ago, and IIRC, Jergens Natural Glow was my favourite.

My understanding is that some of the fake tan smell is unavoidable—I think the odour comes from dihydroxyacetone acting on your skin cells. But I remember Jergens smelling much better than other lotions.
posted by neushoorn at 1:49 AM on March 18, 2012

Neushoorn is right. The new breed of these lotions work by gradual application over several days, and look pretty natural. Jergens is a good one.
posted by Brittanie at 8:24 AM on March 18, 2012

I'm an old hand at traditional self-tanners. If you're really light, I suggest going with something that rated "medium" and then apply every other day, or every 3rd day. You will have to scrub really good the day you apply it, but that's not as bad as every day. Apply it at night before you go to bed, being sure to let it dry completely before you do. When you wake up, you'll be less pale.

A good tanning lotion will dry it about 15 minutes, usually has a slight tint when wet so you can see where you've already done (and if you're dry).

Depending on how picky you are, you can do as I did and pre-treat your feet, ankles, knees (a little on both front and back), elbows, neck and face with a regular lotion (must contain some type of oil) then apply your self-tanner. It lessens the "dirty" look you talk about because the extra lotion tones down the self-tan action.

I don't have any recommendations for what kind to use, unfortunately, because now self-tanners make me breakout in a terrible rash. I have no idea how to use the new gradual tanners, but I'm assuming it's just like regular lotion?
posted by fiercekitten at 10:05 AM on March 18, 2012

Khiel's is pretty great.
posted by the jam at 11:16 AM on March 18, 2012

Previously. I stand by my recommendation of Drench in that thread.
posted by quiet coyote at 11:40 AM on March 18, 2012