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Monday, May 16, 2011

Recipe for the Best Self Tanning Lotion...





A couple of years ago, I did tons of research on the best self-tanners on the market. I tried everything out there and nothing was even close to what I wanted. You know the standard wish list, a self tanner that doesn’t streak, doesn’t turn orange or yellowish, lasts longer than 5 minutes and doesn't rub off on clothes. I even special ordered some self tanner from Canada that was “suppose” to be the best (sigh), talk about a waste of money. Really, all I wanted was a good self tanner that didn't make me look like, well... an Oompa Loompa...






Just when I was about to give up, I stumbled on a skin care message board (can't remember the website) and I saw a posting from someone who swore that she had discovered the best self tanner recipe that turned into a gorgeous natural color, lasts 5 days and gives amazing streak free coverage. Yea, right, heard that before! But, what really caught my attention were all the responses (at least 50) to her posting of happy ladies who had tried her recipe and came back to the message board to basically proclaim her the self tanning goddess of the mythical sun world. Hmmm… This is interesting.. Maybe I should try it? What the heck huh? Well I did, and boy was she right! I ran back to the board as fast as I could to pay my homage to this brilliant sun goddess as well. Finally, my search was over! Goodbye orange!






The crazy thing is that this recipe is super simple as you just mix two existing self tanning products together. Used separately, these two products are just ok, but something magical happens when you mix them together in equal parts. I have now used this recipe faithfully for a couple of years and it works beautifully every time, gives me a fabulous deep dark natural real tan color, never streaks and lasts for at least 5 days. I have shared this recipe with several friends of varying skin tones and all of them agree, it’s amazing and perfect! So what is this recipe? Here you go:






I mix equal parts of both products right in my hand before I apply. I mix enough for my legs and wash my hands. I then mix enough for my arms and then wash my hands, and I keep mixing and washing as I go along.


Keep in mind that both of these companies offer several variations of self tanning products on the market. When I haven't been able to find the exact product above at the store, I have "substituted" with another one of their products and I have not had the same great results that I do with the exact products above. However, Banana Boat makes two colors in the Sunless Tanning line which include a light/medium color and Deep Dark Tan and both work perfectly but I only use Deep Dark Tan in the thick of summer because it is really dark. I have an olive complexion and the Deep Dark Tan is really dark and only use it when I am already tan in the summer to even out my tan. I highly recommend using the light to medium first because it's pretty dark itself. Also, I do not use these products on my sensitive face.

You will not see the best results until about 12 hours later and unfortunately, the first day you will get that self tanner smell. I always put the self tanner on a day before I really need it.

A few other things that I do is that like all self tanners, I exfoliate first. If I don't, I get patches of darker color and the tan will not last long. Also, even though these products are streak free, I blend and rub in as much as possible. It's hard to see if you have these products blended but I just keep blending. I also moisturize faithfully everyday that I have my self tanner on to make it last longer.

Ok, so there you have it! Happy sunless tanning my friends!

I know that I have veered the last few postings from decor projects and I have a fun one coming up shortly. As always, thank you so much for your sweet comments, emails and notes! I really appreciate your feedback.

Have a fantastic week!

Cheers!
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54 comments:

  1. I'm excited to try this. I just hope it doesn't make me look bad having red hair and WHITE skin :) Definitely staying away from the face and arms on my first try.
    Thanks for the tip.

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  2. I think you will be very happy with the results. Although, this is fairly dark, so for your first time you may want to use the bare minimum amount of lotion. Just enough to cover your skin. Be sure and come back and let me know what you think!

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  3. I will be brave and try yet ANOTHER self tanner. Thanks for the tip.

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  4. this is so great I use L'oreal Sublime.. now I am going to run out a get the other and try this for sure, So excited. Thank you for sharing this with us..

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  5. I'm getting ready to go on vacation and can't wait to try this! Thanks for the tip.

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  6. Cool. I'm excited to try this too. Will keep you posted. Thanks for "veering" off today!

    Connie (akalou)

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  7. I'm definitely going to try this! :) Thanks!

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  8. This is SOOO funny! I do the EXACT same recipe! Love it!

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  9. I was just talking to my mom today at lunch and we were discussing whih self tanner we were going to try this year and keep our fingers crossed. I am excited to give this a try. My big problem areas are my ankles and elbows they always get "creased and streaked". Arghh!

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  10. I love this!! I hate looking orange after self tanner..so I will try this. If I turn out looking like an Oompa Loompa im coming back to tell you lol!

    Delighted Momma

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  11. Veer all you want, this is a great tip! Sometimes we find out the best tips through our girlfriends (virtual or otherwise), so off-topic from time to time is welcomed!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Best,

    Kimberly

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  12. Oh, the anticipation that I feel right now, awaiting my next trip to the drugstore to find these products and give this a shot!!

    I'm going to share this on my fb page too, in hopes that it really IS as wonderful as you say, so that everyone can benefit from this tip!!

    Thanks.... :)

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  13. thank you this white white girl thanks you!

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  14. Thats what I do to! It really does work. I have no streaks at all. I am now using the banana boat dark with the gel.

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  15. Thank you for sharing Ididnt know there was such a perfect mix out there. I pinned this. Come and say hi I love visitors

    tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com

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  16. Just saw you on Savvy Southern... I am definitely going to try this! Thanks!

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  17. That sounds great. I use Faux Tan by Bare Essentials and love it as well. I will try yours as well. Thanks for sharing at my Swing into Spring party.

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  18. Wow, I'm going to give this a try...thanks so much for sharing! :)

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  19. I love it. I already use the L'oreal product. I think I may have to try this. Now that it is sundress weather I need all the help I can get. How the heck did you ever think to mix them?

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  20. I don't tan anymore, and I think lots of us miss having "color"...I am def going to try this recipe!

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  21. Ok, my curiousity is piqued, so I will be giving this a try!

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  22. Just saw your blog for the first time on Savvy Southern Style. I can't wait to try this! Love your blog:)

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  23. I am the whitest girl in the state of Florida and I have tried it all. I can't wait to see how this does. I have paid major bucks to get some color and haven't used fake tan in the last few years because it never works out. I will let ya know!

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  24. thank you so much for sharing...i am excited to try this!!

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  25. I am going to try it! My legs don't tan at all- I don't have a problem with my arms - crazy huh!?

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  26. I'll admit I'm scared, but will give it a shot anyways! Anything has to be better than looking like I forgot to put on pants when I'm actually wearing white bermudas :D

    Shelley
    www.westermanfam.blogspot.com

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  27. YEAH!...just wrote down the products names,gonna give 'er try!
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

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  28. OK, I'm trying this today! My poor old winter body is white, white, white. We haven't seen much sun this spring in the Ozarks and there's more rain on the way :o(

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  29. I am going to try it too! I have to do something about my farmer's tan lines!

    JamieS@ Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

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  30. I have always loved Banana Boat the best. Something I do too is to mix tanning lotion with some regular inexpensive body moisturizer. It seems to help the tanning lotion cover easier and better

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  31. Hooray! I use the banana boat one now, so I am excited to add to it. I live in Arizona, so in the summer, you only last about 10 minutes laying out in the 110+ degree weather! Even with my olive skin, I'm never as tan as I should be living in this climate

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  32. thank you thank you thank you!! i will try this out and see if it works!!

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  33. Congratulations, your Best Self Tanning Lotion made this week's top hits @ singingwithbirds.com. Thanks for sharing such a timely recipe with all of us...I'm on my way to the store and will report my before and after results. Keep calm and tan on!

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  34. I'm excited to try this, but the true test will be if my legs break out in a rash from it like all the other self tanners I've tried in the past. Have you ever experienced that?

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  35. Ok, this is on my list of things to do. I hopped over from Sining With Birds who recommended your post.

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  36. I have used both of these great products separately -- but never thought of putting them together! Thanks for the scoop! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  37. I'm a fan of Beautisol's self tanners Summer Glow and All Seasons Glow! Banana Boat streaks easily on me :(

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  38. i hopped on over from Under the Table and Dreaming...thanks for the tips!! I used to only use SPF 4 and even went tanning to get a nice glow (but haven't gone in a couple years:) and now I'm dedicated to using SPF 50 all the time (perspective changes once you have children;) But I still would LOVE a little color! SO THANK YOU FOR THIS POST :) I'm going to add those two products to my grocery list for tomorrow and hope they're there :)

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  39. Congrads! This was the most viewed post at the Whatever Goes Wednesday party last week. I featured it today! Grab my "featured" button.

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  40. I'm really eager to try this! I have tons of self-tanners in my bathroom now because I also could never find one I like, although, the Loreal one you mention has been my fave so far! Who would have ever though of mixing them together?! Thanks for sharing!

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  41. I can't wait to try this! I already have the first one, but I think it stinks!!!

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  42. I have a question.....You mentioned that you don't use the Dark color with the Banana Boat product to start off with. What color do you start off with in the L'Oreal? I see that they have a light/med and a dark color. Do you use the lt/med L'Oreal and the lt/med Banana Boat?

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  43. I don't have sensitive skin...could i still use it on my face? or would it come out completely fake looking?

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  44. Like so many, I truly appreciated this post! I am so scared of self tanning--having orange and streaky flashbacks. . . Ah! I am on a quest to find the ingredients. I found the L'Oreal at Target but still am trying to find the Banana Boat. Thank you for the tip! I shared your blog and this post on my Friday Favorites today. I hope others come visit your great blog! Have a wonderful weekend . . .

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  45. i tried this recipe and asked my kids "what color am i".....they said mom you have orange skin!! Guess it doesn't work for me :(

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  46. Tried it and LOVE it! Everyone thought I looked so tan after our beach vacation, but most of it was "faux."

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