PLEASE hit me with the BEST gradual Tanner!!

[Loserinlove]

I do not tan. Naturally pale. Gave up on fake tan years ago as they always streak or patch. So on recommendation I tried Nivea firm gradual Tanner. Used it every day and NO change at all.

I then saw Utan and how amazing that is supposed to be. Yesterday used the tanning serum and the face spray. Supposedly fail proof yet today woken up with it completely uneven, streaks where it looks like I haven’t touched it but I did!! I used a mitt, worked bottom way up. Shaved the day before so that didn’t interfere, my skin is not remotely dry and I moisturise every single day. What is wrong with me?! Have tried SO many fake tans and gradual Tanners. Hate all st tropez, skinny tan seemed the best of them all but still bad! Has anyone been like me and struggled and come across an amazing one???

@HumousWhereTheHeartIs Thank you

Clarins tanning drops work well with your own moisturiser - the body drops work out better value than the facial ones.

I use the skinny tan gradual tanner in the pump bottle from Superdrug. I'm also very pale but this gives me a lovely glow :)

No I moisturise in the morning and tan/gradual tan in the evening....

OP moisturizing in the morning like that would absolutely cause my tan to steak! I use Vita Liberata on clean skin, apply with mitt, no streaks.

Why would moisturising 12 hours previously make tan steak? I ordered stuff from Utan and had lengthy convo with them about prep and even they sat to moisturise before hand despite me questioning it...

The product would still be on your skin after 12 hours. You've said yourself that you can never get your tan right while lots of ppl, myself included, say we can. Why not try not moisturizing and see how you get on?

Dove. Don’t forget to put a bit of moisturiser on your knees, elbows and heels first.

Ok so I’ll shower this evening again, then put the dove gradual tan on again @Watchingthetelly? Am I better putting the light/medium on every day until it’s a nice colour or will it only go so dark?

With my skin i cant have anything on it at all even 12 hours before, I have to shower before then apply. I've just started using the dove derma (new one) its amazing!

For extra tips... I moisturize feet, elbows, knees and hands before applying as they are my dry areas.
I use an old stubby powder brush to evenly apply to hands and feet.
I think two coats of fair Dove is as good as it gets, after that it can get a bit yellow (I'm super pale but used to used Dove medium to dark before switching to Vita Liberata).
Don't apply too thickly and give it some time to dry before getting into bed. It can streak if you are sweating in bed or the way one leg lies on the other, etc.

Good luck! 🤞

Isle of paradise fan here... I used both the tanning drops and the mouse with a mitt. No streaks at all. I use the dark one but would recommend starting with light or medium if you’re not used to it.

Definitely don’t moisturise the day you do your tan! I know the instructions usually say make sure your skin is moisturised but I think it just means try not to have any visible dry patches. Shower, don’t use oil-based shower gel and dry thoroughly then put the tan on.

For gradual I also like the watermelon scented st tropez one.

I've never had any luck with self tanners. I also don't understand how you're not meant to sweat at all because then it will streak...but they are also meant to last several days...can you not exercise? Have sex?

Also when people talk avoutnisle of paradise and adding drops to your moisturiser...is that the whole tub, or just a bit as you put it on? I feel like I need this explained to me as if I'm extremely stupid

LilMidge01 I just add a couple of drops to the bit Im putting on.

Same as the others, the moisturizer would sit on my skin even 12 hours later - maybe try it without any on.

@LilMidge01 yes just put the dollop of moisturiser/body lotion you’re going to put on your body/face in your hand then add the drops to that. Mix through and apply as normal.

Re your other question, you only aren’t supposed to sweat/shower while it is developing. Usually 8hrs but I usually do overnight. The following day you can shower/have sex/sweat as much as you like and it won’t (shouldn’t!) come off!

Oh god I’m torn now as what to try next ... tonight, as I don’t have any others, I will shower and apply the fair to medium dove and see what that’s like in the morning...

Any of these any good for problem skin? I have just noticed I have a few spots where I have rubbed it in that’s partly why I bought the Utan one as it’s meant to be good for problem skin!

I think I’ve tried them all and just end up with milk bottle white legs and orange knees and ankles. I’ve tried everything to exfoliate and moisturise. Same results. Best thing I’ve tried was skinny tan but even that wasn’t great

Sorry not helpful but I just wanted OP to know it’s not just her :(

Thanks @Livinthedream84 my friends don’t get it!! I applied a second layer of the dove gradual cream..: minor change, arms not bad... legs not much colour.... need to decide wether to buy the medium dark one or try something different.....

Absolutely @Loserinlove I am exactly the same (post upthread). I think if you go darker, your dark bits will just get darker and your light bits will stay white. Not that I am jaded by years of awful fake tanning experiences or anything …

I don't understand gradual tan. You still need to rub it on carefully to avoid streaks so why not just use straight up fake tan?

Bondi sands is meant to be amazing. Cheap on amazon. I haven't tried it yet tho.

I dont streak but the colour doesn't develop much on me either. I have a dove one which is very subtle.

@Livinthedream84

I think I’ve tried them all and just end up with milk bottle white legs and orange knees and ankles. I’ve tried everything to exfoliate and moisturise. Same results. Best thing I’ve tried was skinny tan but even that wasn’t great

Sorry not helpful but I just wanted OP to know it’s not just her :(

Another here too! Have tried multiple salon fake tans (with some amazingly bad results) plus the Dove at home, but I suffer exactly the same issue as you & the OP - grubby looking knees & ankles/feet (no dry skin!) and then either white calves or feeling like I've been Tango'd

Currently on day 2 of experimenting with Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner (white bottle) - this one definitely seems better than Dove so far but the jury is still out....

It's like my skin just won't 'take' a fake tan?

I have never ever got on with any kind of fake or gradual tan and always ended up a streaky mess. Bondi sands (light/medium in a white tube, applied with tanning mitt) has been an absolute game changer. I applied this at 8am this morning while multitasking getting kids ready and it's a perfect finish.