Self tanner / fake tan novice - what would you recommend?

[way2serious]

I would like to start using something to add a bit of summer colour to my legs, arms, face, etc. I have used Johnson's Holiday self tanner in the past but have never used a fake tanning product. I know there have porbably been lots of threads about this but which products would you recommend?

Thanks

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Also best results if you exfoliate and moisturise the day before.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Oops
Spray it onto a tanning mit then lightly onto legs.
It's the business. Just don't go too mad. I use it on my stretchmarks upper arms and chest a bit too.
Won't give a great tan but takes the edge off the white.
I love it and now go bare legs and never would before!

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

squirrel and all other legs are so white they're blue people use the lightest Sally Hansen airbrush legs spray but spray it

[Chicinwellies]

Go and buy the new Elle magazine which has free Rodial mini tubes, and specifically find the Clear one (neither light or dark are as good). For me this has been amazing, fail safe , no biscuit smell, and no streaks! X

[LouLou2104]

As a professional in Spray Tanning the key factors are to exfoliate regularly and to moisturise daily.
To eliminate streaking and dark toes, mix the self tan lotion with a none oily moisturiser and use sparingly.
If you need any other tips or advice or even a Spray Tan I will be checking this site daily.Lou

[KITTY2009]

anyone know the best for freckled girls?

[curlycreations]

fake tan mit from body care about £1 put on a plastic glove under it

[Allthingspretty]

Theres a tube of rodial self tan free with Elle this month op

[Turquoiseblue]

I ve tried lots. MY absolute favourite, it gives a really even and super natural glow, is vani t bronzing custard here.
it doesn't smell that bad - ignore anyone who tells you fake tan doesnt smell - it does, I haven t come across a fake tan without a smell ever and I ve tried nearly most of the ones listed above bar the st moritz.
I ve also got the vani t bronzing self tan mousse which too gives a nice result but i find the tube of bronzing custard lasts longer ( i apply it every day for 2 days to start then every 2-3 day (exfoliate beforehand) it doesn't build so strong that it gets patchy or clumpy. I m pale and fair, it gives a lovely glow that i get a lot of compliments on.
My lovely friend recomended st tropez to me recently - which I m quite impressed with too - the smell of perfume in the moisturiser overpowers a lot of the fake tan smell, I'm using the light/ medium and it s building up nicely.
I was disappointed with the vita liberata, it faded in blotches and patches.

[singaporefling]

Yep St Tropez gradual tanner ALWAYS mixed with very creamy (not too runny) moisturiser at the same time, mixing as i go along - favourite is hawaiian tropic in a big pale green tub...Smells beautiful too..One blob of that to two squirts of st trop, especially on elbows/ankles/knees - works a treat :)

[sneezecakesmum]

its the prep thats more important. make sure knees, elbows and heels/feet have the rough skin removed with body scrubs. moisturise those areas before applying the tan and leave to soak in. apply tan very thinly. mix with body lotion to build up slowly if it is a one application only. go for 'fair' or 'dark' according to your natural colouring.

[grants1000]

The srpay ones are good, 2 for £12 in Sainsbury's at the mo instead of £12 each, I used a light Ambre Solaire one and I am white, just spray on and it works really well, not orange just not white, sun kissed!

[Djangounhinged]

I've just started using Xen Tan, and it's lovely - nice vanilla smell and I have the mist version which is easy to apply. You spray it on to a mitt and just wipe it on - goes on dark so you can see the bits you've missed. Supposed to last for a week but I'm finding I need to reapply every 4-5 days (partial to hot baths though, which doesn't help!).

I also use Dove gradual tanner, for time when I don't need to look so tanned - stops me from reverting to pale blue

[RiRi83]

Palmers Cocoa Butter with gradual tan is great IMO - Cheap, smells fab and good for your skin too (and any impending stretch marks (I'm 19 + 4))

[CooEeeEldridge]

I use the boots number 7 spray on one, I've honestly never gone wrong with it (inevitable I will next time now!). It is a bit whiffy, but better than a lot of them.

[MarianForrester]

Famous Dave is the way forwards! Doesn't come off on clothes or bedding, and choices from a build up one to fair skin one to full on bronze (haven't tried the last one as m super pale)

It makes me look normal coloured and thus able to get legs out, rather than brown by most people's standards, which I am very happy with. I am naturally an attractive greyish white shade.

[GeetTallBird]

Exfoliate with "scrubby gloves" first, moisturise knees and ankles and heels and toes then apply Vita Liberata with a tanning mitt (loads in £ shops)
I don't fake-tan anywhere else, but this stuff is lovely, can recommend it. Like RaggleTaggleTick I am still on last year's bottle!

[Longtallsally]

My favourite tip - for a really natural finish, wear old sandals when applying, so that you get sandal marks on your feet. Looks totally natural, 'cause (so the reverse logic goes) no-one would fake that, so therefore it seems to be a real tan!!

[RaggleTaggleTick]

VIDA LIBERATA!!!! Honestly, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's organic, doesn't smell at all and lasts for ages. I am very pale and use it on my face every couple of days, it lasts forever, I am still on last Summer's bottle... I use the darkest one and sometimes put two layers on if I want to look nicely tanned, it is tinted too so easier to avoid smears. Fake tan mits are great too if you are doing your body, no orange palms and a very even finish.

[tulipflowers]

I always apply moisturiser first, then use a tanning mitt, this stops all streaks, used to use boots own brand, but the have changed it to include a shimmer, not very natural looking now!!

[sweetheart]

sam yes put it on your neck too, just gently mist your entire body with a spray one - make sure you remember under your arms (it's the bit I usually miss)

I use the light version of the one I buy. Do one spray and then let it develop over night. If I feel I need a top up you just spray another layer on.

[Sallystyle]

Really silly question, but I take it you need to put it on your neck too?

What if it streaks and look silly? is an instant tan better so you can see the bits you have missed?

[Absy]

secret - there this works leg stuff which my friend has and I tried out - it's awesome. It makes you legs look glowy with more even skintone, but it isn't cheap and it's not a fake tan, more a thing you slap on on top of moisturiser.

[fl0b0t]

I use dove or garnier's gradual tan/moisturisers and both area great. I tend to just use a little on my face during winter months to give me a boost and it blends really well (no tide marks). I used it on chest and legs recently for a night out and it also looked great- just need to exfoliate well first (the only bit I didn't came out a bit patchy). As long as you apply it gently and evenly and wash your hands after, its' fine!

[sweetheart]

I use this one and it's brilliant. I've had several people comment how well the tan comes out. Just be a bit careful of your feet when your misting your whole body as that's where it all settles.