3 self-tanners that will make your face glow despite the rainy weather
17.4.2023
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Natalie Hemengül
You don’t have to leave the house to have sun-kissed skin. Fake tan is available in bottles – all year round. Here are three products I recommend for tanning your face and a few tips on how to avoid self-tanning accidents.
I really wish I’d jumped on the self-tanning bandwagon earlier. It would have saved me many a damaging hour in the blazing sun as a teenager. Today, I’m more protective of my skin. Putting my health at risk for a tan? No, thanks! Tan from the bottle gives me that sun-kissed glow in just a few hours and without having to chase a single ray of sunlight. At any time of the year. As long as jumpers and long trousers rule my wardrobe due to the weather, I allow my body to continue on the pale track (most of the time, anyway). But my face gets all the more attention.
Instead of the usual self-tanning creams (ready-to-use care that you just have to apply), I rely on three products that require a little more dedication from you, but allow more leeway in terms of application.
Tanning drops
Self-tanning drops are sold in pump dispensers or pipette bottles. They’re easy to mix into your skincare products and can therefore be dosed as you wish. I recommend the Luxe Tan Tonic Drops by the brand St. Tropez. They’re vegan and contain hyaluronic acid as well as vitamins E and C. Another good choice are the Self Tanning Drops for Face & Body by Isle of Paradise, which we currently don’t have in our range.
Tips for applying self-tanning drops:
- Apply drops and sprays (see below) in the evening, two to three hours before you go to bed. This will allow the product to be absorbed and it won’t stain your pillowcase.
- Use a light face cream as a blending base with the drops, as it spreads better and absorbs faster.
- Avoid combining with products containing active ingredients such as fruit acid or retinol. They have a peeling effect and could make the result look blotchy.
- In the instructions, manufacturers specify how to dose the drops. For example, with St. Tropez’s product, you add 2-6 drops to your cream. The more self-tanning product you use, the more tanned your skin will look. Therefore, I recommend starting with a low dosage and increasing it if you want to – especially with products you’ve never used before. Take your time to experience the product and find the right number of drops for your skin tone.
- Brush your teeth before applying self-tanning cream. Once applied, your skin shouldn’t come into contact with water for a few hours. Otherwise, you’ll look into the mirror the next morning and see exactly where the toothpaste foam dribbled down your chin the night before. This goes for all self-tanning products.
- Don’t forget your eyelids, neck, ears and hairline or you’ll end up with visible tan lines. Make sure to spread the cream with the added tanning drops all over your face to create natural transitions.
- Be sure to wash your hands after application!
Source: Natalie Hemengül
Tanning sprays
Face mists are usually the last step in our facial care routine. In terms of application, I find sprays the most practical, as they’re ready to use right away and you don’t have to get your hands dirty. I currently use the Self Tan Mist (Medium) by the brand Vegan Tan. It’s enriched with aloe vera, comes out in a fine mist and feels so light on the skin that you forget you’ve applied it after a few minutes. And you’ll see results after only two hours.
Tips for applying self-tanning sprays:
- Hold the spray at least 20 centimetres away from your face and keep the same distance while you’re spraying the tanning mist onto your face. How close you hold the spray determines the intensity of the result and the size of the area you’re spraying. So you’re best off starting with a larger distance and few sprays and adjusting your method later.
- Feel that there are dry areas on your face or neck? These are areas you accidentally left out. Try to touch them up as best you can (and with the same distance between skin and spray).
- Once you’re experienced, you can also use the spray on specific areas such as your forehead or cheekbones. In other words, anywhere you’d usually apply bronzing powder. This can look more natural than with make-up, but requires that you know how to handle the spray tan. The fine mist ensures natural transitions.
Special case
Strictly speaking, Bondi Sands’ 1 Hour Express is also a spray. But this face mist falls into a special category because you use it differently. You’re confident and brave with self-tanners? Then this might be the one for you. It’s a brown colour that you spray onto an applicator glove and rub over your face. After an hour, you wash the colour off. The result may look blotchy at first, but if you spread it all over to the best of your ability, you have nothing to worry about. After washing the colour off, a light tan will appear, which will grow stronger over the following days. I advise you to follow up by doing your entire body if you’re happy with the result, so that you have an even tan all over.
Self-tanning
CHF18.70 CHF267.14/1l
Bondi Sands Self Tan 1H Express Face Mist 70 ml
Self tanning spray, 70 ml
Self-tanning
Quantity discount
CHF12.70 per piece for 2 units
Vegan Tan Self-Tan
Accessories self tanning
Tips for applying this wash-off spray:
- Exfoliate your skin beforehand to ensure an even result.
- Make sure your face is cleansed, free of products and dry before applying the spray.
At Galaxus, you’ll find over 80,000 beauty products – and more are on the way. That’s quite the picking. And why I like to regularly share my favourites – from a selection of both novelties and classics.
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Beauty
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