Why do people wear fake tan?

[upsylazy]

The usual caveats apply - yes it's none of my business and there are far more important things happening in the world but just why? It never looks real and must be such a pain constantly applying it or getting it sprayed on, making sure you haven't missed bits etc. And doesn't it get all over your clothes or start running when it rains? I was sitting opposite a woman on the train today who I swear would have glowed in the dark. Also, she was naturally pretty and just didn't need it (not that anyone needs it). Any of you orange ladies care to enlighten me?

[anditwasallyellow]

I wear the self tanning moisteriser which I put on a couple of times a week, it does look natural on me as I'm so pale it just gives me a normal colour not orange or dark.

I spent years being called Casper and people asking me why I'm so pale it takes it's toll.

[w3dnesday]

You only notice the ones that have over done it, there are plenty of fake tan users out there who use just enough to stop them being a kind of transluscent bluey purply colour (like me,waaaahh).
And it's not like paint so it doesn't run off, also when you've been doing it for yeeears you don't miss bits

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

The orange reflection in the mirror affects their sight.

They see a glowing complexion.

We see streaky, patchy, carrot colour.

As it soaks into the skin , it changes the brain function and the wearer considers there tone to be normal.

Even in September!

[deliciousdevilwoman]

1. It doesn't ALWAYS look orange. There are subtle, gradual tanners you know
   
2. It's safer than hours baking in the sun/use of sunbeds
   
3. A light tan is (mostly) better than lily white, blue tinged skin
   
4. it makes whites of eyes look brighter, skin look smoother and more toned, cellulite doesn't look as bad
   
5. It doesn't need to be a faff. As easy as applying body moisturiser once you have it down to a fine art

[pictish]

Because they want to?

I have never self tanned - I simply couldn't be bothered, but while I am also quizzical about the orange people, I assume they do it because they think it looks nice. Taste is very subjective.

[Feminine]

Society makes it difficult to be fair skinned.

I think many women would rather be orange than fair skinned.

Its still alright to tease someone about their white skin in 2012 for goodness sake!

Shamefully we also equate skin colour with health. For some people, orange looks 'healthier' than fair.

[upsylazy]

yes, I suppose I hadn't thought that there might be people wearing it so it does look natural. But i just see so many of the streaky fluorescent orange variety round here, I just wonder what on earth they are thinking of. Honestly, it was actually hurting my eyes looking at this woman on the train.

[pictish]

It's like those that pluck their eyebrows off and then draw them back in again. Looks bizarre - but when they look in the mirror they obviously see something different from me.

[BonnyDay]

it doesnt run - it sets on your skin

[SchrodingersMew]

After years of stick for being pale I started using fake tan a while ago, after getting stick for that as well I have now moved on to sunbeds.

I'm now getting stick for ruining my skin with sunbeds, can't win.

[whogivesaduck1]

i also got stick for being pale, i had white blonde hair and blue eyes, the kids at school called me casper and albino girl!

now i am an adult no one comments. i love my pasteness! looks much more different and unique compared to all the orange girls walking around!

plus I dont have that much time spare to fuck around with it!

[pictish]

Well if it's a choice out of those three, I'd take pale. I rarely notice anyone;s skin tone. Unless they are orange. Then I notice.

[SchrodingersMew]

whogives In school I had very light blonde hair as well and I have blue eyes. If I still had my natural hair colour I think I would look okay pale. Can't see it happening though, I just can't grow it out as roots annoy me. :(

[PowerDresser]

Doesn't it make the bath orange and it's a dreadful job to clean it so I don't wear it or is it permanent colour?

[KellyElly]

Ther good fake tans look natural and as if someone is healthy or has a sun tan, so you probably would never notice people wearing those. The orange variety are usually cheap or badly applied or applied too much. They so look pretty silly. I used to fake tan but can't be arsed any more as it's too much faff and you are constantly washing your stained bedsheets - oh, and it's also really hard to get your hands right. I never really mastered that, was always a bit hit and miss

[KellyElly]

*apologies for typos but you get what I mean I hope :)

[MoomieAndFreddie]

If I didn't wear it I would be so white I would glow!

I only wear the very light spray stuff though, just to take the blue tones off lol

[HmmThinkingAboutIt]

To use a phrase posted on another thread by another Mumsnetter which made me laugh, its obviously because they want to smell like "biscuits and poo" because apparently thats what fake tan smells of.

I have the palest skin ever. I couldn't give too shiny shits if people pass comment on it. I like it, its suits me and if they don't its their sad little problem.

[MarysBeard]

I used to wear it (never the orange type or spray booth) as I felt "more healthy" and attractive with a tan, and gave up my occasional sunbed use at 25 as I thought it might be ageing

I don't bother nowadays as I now realise I am not exactly pasty even in winter, but I would wear it to blend in, say, really bad strap marks. I used to use a Lancaster one that was quite nice.

[GoldShip]

I don't meant to state the obvious, but they may SHOCK HORROR want a tan without risking their lives.


There's some excellent fake fans out there now that look completely natural. We don't like in the 90's where fake tan smelt like curry or biscuits.

I don't wear it myself because I can't, but would if I could.

[VonHerrBurton]

There really is a world of difference between blue-white natural skin tones and the orange you refer to OP. I guarantee you wouldn't be able to tell I wear false tan.

So if your question was 'Why do people wear orange coloured fake tan?' I would agree with you, it looks horrible - cheap and rediculous, but as others have said, there are lots of products that don't look orange, streak, go on your clothes or run.

I find when wearing light false tan it's quicker to get ready as the need for make-up is minimal, I also look healthier and brighter. You should try it.

Oh, are you going to tell me you 'just don't need make up?' I'm fighting a losing battle if you are!

[helenthemadex]

I'm sure there are loads of women who wear it that you don't know or notice because it looks natural, the same as make up.

It's when its caked on and obviously fake it just looks wrong and imo cheap and tacky

[squeakytoy]

some people look fine when they are very white, some people look drained and unhealthy..

I would rather use a good natural looking fake tan than burn in the sun.

I agree that the very overtanned orange look is the opposite end of the scale, and looks ridiculous on a lot of people, but if it makes that person feel more upbeat and confident, then that is their prerogative.

[GoldShip]

I have black hair, green eyes and the palest skin. I look ill