An easy self-tanning routine...
Self-tan is something that I can't be without in my routine, I don't like to go overboard, I just like a natural warmth that takes the edge off my natural very pale skin tone. I don't tan naturally in the Summer months, so I always rely on self-tanning to give my skin that lovely warm glow!
When I was younger I'd use tanning foams that I would leave on overnight and wash off in the morning, but for the past couple of years, I just can't be bothered with doing all that every week. The prepping the skin etc would be so time consuming, my bed sheets and pyjamas would get covered in tan stains and it was just a pain. Not only that, but I have dry eczema-prone skin, so the tan would often cling to my dry patches and look awful anyway.
I started using gradual tanners instead, as they're a lotion that's a lot more moisturising than other tanning products, and can also be mixed with a moisturiser when applying them. They also don't require any washing off, they don't stain clothes or sheets and applying a gradual tanner is essentially the same as moisturising your skin on an evening, so I've pretty much swore by them since. My favourite gradual tanner is the Sienna X Gradual Tan which has been my go-to for ages now, but recently I've found a love for a brand new product that I'm going to share today...
My new favourite self-tanner...
I recently discovered the Tan-Luxe Tanning Water and I am fully obsessed with it. I've used the Tan-Luxe Tanning Drops before which I really liked, however they are so expensive and I found that they ran out far too fast for what I was paying. The Sienna X Gradual Tan comes in at around £16 or less (it's on sale a fair bit so I grab a few bottles then usually) so this was much more cost-effective with me using it super regularly. The only issue with the gradual tan is that as it's a lotion, every time I use it I am essentially moisturising my whole body so I use a lot of it, and it can be quite time consuming as there is no colour to it, so I always make sure I rub it everywhere, and really well to avoid any white patches.
I'm now a full convert to the Tan-Luxe Tanning Water, it comes in at £33 for a 200ml bottle of product, so whilst it seems more pricey than the Sienna X Gradual Tan, it lasts probably triple the amount of time, if not more. I was a bit hesitant about using tanning water at first, as I know lots rave about it, but I wasn't too sure how it worked. Essentially, all you have to do is spritz your body with the tanning water and then go over with a mitt to rub it in. I barely have to rub it in with my mitt, it takes around 5 minutes or less to do my face and entire body and dries instantly. It doesn't transfer, you don't have to wash it off, and I wake up with the most gorgeous natural colour with zero streaks or patchiness. I also find one spray goes so far! I usually do a few sprays over my face and neck, blend it all in down to my shoulders and chest, then a few more sprays for my belly (which is pretty big at the moment!) and a couple on my arms etc. After I've finished spraying my whole body, it doesn't even look like I've used any in the bottle, the product just goes so far with it being a water.
I don't know if you can tell from my photos, but I've been using this for weeks now and I have barely touched the bottle. Whilst it is £33 a bottle, it's probably costing me a penny or less a use. I'd say I use it a couple of times a week, as I like to top up my face, hands and neck as they fade away, but it fades away nicely and never goes patchy or scaly. I also find with most other tanners, that they don't settle nicely on my face and cling to every dry patch (I have quite dry skin on my face) but with this one I just wake up with a really natural glow. It makes me feel much more confident to go makeup-free which is fab, as it takes such a little amount of time to apply. It's just like applying moisturiser on an evening! I also find that it doesn't fade too quickly on my hands either, even with the amount of hand washing that I do, so all in all, it really is a winning product for me and I can't see myself going back to any other tanning products for the foreseeable.
My current tanning routine using the Tan-Luxe Tanning Water is by far the quickest and easiest tan routine I've ever had which is ideal, particularly because I'll soon have a newborn and won't have time for extensive pamper routines. The good news is, I definitely won't ever have to go without my fake tan with how quick it is to apply which makes me very happy!
Have you tried tanning water before, and did you love it?
