Fake tan for a pasty newbie

[MaryBoBary]

I’m sorry if this has been done to death - I did do a search but couldn’t find anything later than 2016 so thought I’d start a new post.

I have never used a fake tan before. One summer a few years ago I used a Dove gradual tanning moisturiser but that is the extent of my tanning experience. I want to find a good product for this year.

I am very very pale so need something specifically to shit my pale colouring that won’t look orange.

I don’t want one that washes off - I need it to last as long as possible.

Do I go for a mousse, a gel, an oil, a mist? Which is best for a beginner with a huge fear of streaks?!!

Is a gradual moisturiser tanner better than a plain fake tan for pale people?

Do I need a mitt? Do I need a mitt even for a moisturiser/gradual tanner?

Please help me, all advice gratefully received.

Isle of paradise tanning water is fool proof. It develops oversight, goes on clear and is colour correcting. It also doesn't transfer. I use the medium (green bottle).

Academie Bronze Express, it looks so natural when you do one coat and it is brown going on so you can ensure no steaks. I'm pale and I wear on my neck and chest all year to match up with my makeup. It doesn't look 'brown', just a slight natural golden hue. If you want to go darker you can do a second application. It wears off gently and naturally too, which I love. No other tan has come close and I've tried many!!

I would honestly steer clear of ones that are invisible as you put it on as you can't see streaking until much later

@WatchingTheWheels85 thank you. I think I would need one I could see going on to begin with until I got my technique, do you find this can streak or are you a professional at this?

@DrinkSangriaInThePark Do you use a mitt for this or just your hands? Can it be used on your face?

It doesn't streak and is so simple. I can't get on with any other brands, it's also suitable for the face.

I'm an expert on this subject. Could have my own YouTube channel devoted to it. I strongly recommend Bondi Sands mousse medium (not the daily top up one) from Superdrug. Streak free and less smell than others. Goes on with colour showing, don't worry that it looks streaked. Shower off 5 hours later and it's streak free lovely colour. Avoid too much cream over knees, knuckles, elbows, ankles if course.

Skinny tan, huge range. One you can wash off after an hour, 2 hours or leave on overnight or the the coconut tanning mist, goes on clear and you can get dressed within 3 minutes.

Thanks Diana, do you use a mitt? I think I’ve heard of a tan remover by this brand - have you tried that? Is it worth having? I’m assuming it’s better to remove it completely than keep topping up?

I second Bondi Sands light / medium. Apply with a high quality mitt, one that's a kind of crushed velvet texture rather than cheap sponge texture. It says to leave it on for a few hours to develop, but I find the colour doesn't develop as well if you do it in the day, so it's best to put it on before bed and sleep in it (then wash your sheets!).

Mousse is easy to use. I've got a st tropez one bit I will be trying Bondi Sands after reading this. I do a good sugar or salt scrub first then use a mitt. I try and do it maybe 1-2 times per week in the summer and it does make a difference to me.

As a fellow pastey soul, I recommend gradual tan.

In terms of tanning ability:

1. Garnier. Gave a great base tan after just one use! But I took allergic reaction to it. To be fair, I usually rinse it all off before I sleep but I only half rinsed this time and I guess all the water ran a certain way... because woke up at 3am with my arse on fire xD It was bad, it was more fire than arse.

1. The coco butter one...palmers. Again, one or two uses to a good tan. Smells alright too.

1. Dove gradual tan. But take the medum/dark version.

Just less risky than the fake tan stuff I think, no streaking worries.

Another vote for Bondi sands. I wear dark but I'm olivey anyway. It's fab.

Whichever brand you go for, ALWAYS use a mitt. Stained hands are impossible to remove. Once you've finished applying it to your body, sweep whatever is left on your mitt over your face as it only needs a light amount.

Yep has to be Bondi Sands. I use light/medium and have tried the lotion and mousse, both are fab

I use st tropez gradual tan after showering and then viva liberata in latte medium on legs etc which gives a nice sheen. Legs I always find the hardest to get a convincing tan and viva liberata is a bit like make up for legs. It doesn't transfer at all.

Bondi Sands for me too. I’m pale and use the dark mousse with their tanning mitt. I put it on for a couple of hours then wash it off before bed (the evening before I want the tan for). I find it develops overnight once it has been washed off.

I am like casper! My legs are transparent !
I use the in shower 3 minute st tropez one.
Put on in shower wait 3 mins wash off after first time I can see a difference after 3 days I have a beautiful natural looking tan no streaks :) they do a light and a dark I find the light takes better on my pale skin x x

Oh god so many options! Thanks everyone - bondi sands seems to be the most popular at the moment.

@TeaForTheWin I wasn’t sure how to spell pastey think I went for the Cornish option in thread title!

Looking at it and your spelling of 'pasty' seems right...but yeah it reads like Cornish pasty right enough. Who knows!