Looking for the perfect self tanner for the day of but not know where to start? I am here to save the day!! I used to be an avid tanning bed tanner, but have noticed in the last few years that it is starting to have a really poor effect on the overall look of my skin. Plus they can cause skin cancer.
I decided it was time to start taking better care of my skin and body but didn't know how I would still get that sun kissed glow for the day of the wedding. I have tan lines from a tank top I wore outside last year for 10 minutes.. I haven't been able to even out my skin tone at all after that. I have been doing research about the best self tanners out there and came across these two: Tarte Brazilliance Plus and Josie Maran argan liquid Gold self-tanning oil. I went into Sephora yesterday to get their opinion as well. Out of every list I have found online, these two were on the top.
I decided to try out the Tarte one as I really didn't care for the smell of the Josie Maran oil. The Tarte self tanner does have that self tan smell afterwards but it's not over powering. It comes with a mitt and is very easy to apply. It's a gel-like consistency and is naturally coloured by walnuts. *ALLERGY ALERT* for those allergic to nuts. You need to make sure you're going in long, even strokes when applying it. If you let it sit for too long without blending it in you will be left with marks or streaks. My FH helped me apply it, as I can't reach my back, and I have a few spots from him as he didn't move fast enough lol Other than that, the colour is PHENOMENAL! It looks as though I just spent the last week out in the sun. I did use whatever was left over on the mitt on my face to help give a glow to my face too. AND!!!!! It got rid of those pesky tan lines!
The Josie Maran oil smelled almost like cooking oil to me. This one is an oil consistency which is also applied with a mitt. It is naturally coloured by beets. They do have 3 different scents but I only smelled the Vanilla one.. to me it didn't smell like vanilla at all. I didn't choose this one because of the oil. I felt like it would have been harder to apply with more chance of there being streaks. According to the consultant at Sephora, she states that she loves it and regularly uses it and that it is a big seller in the store.
The price for both of these are very similar with the Tarte tanner being $48 and the Oil being $46. You don't need a whole lot as a small amount goes a long way with the gel. I feel like you could probably get 7-10 applications out of the tube.
If you don't have a Sephora near you, they ship anywhere in Canada! Plus you can get free samples of other goodies to try for the big day as well!
I really wish I took before and after photos. Honestly, I'm ghostly to begin with.. I am translucent and now I have beautifully tanned skin! I will definitely be using this for the wedding and honeymoon. I'm glad I tested it out well before the wedding as I have the tendency to turn orange from spray on tans!
Honestly, give the Tarte one a shot. You will not be disappointed!
Tarte Self Tanner
Josie Maran Self Tanner
