What Time is it? TAN TIME

We risked it all so that you don’t have to

 

Photo by Taylor Karaidos
Instant tan streaks don’t lie.
Photo by Taylor Karaidos
Taylor forgot to wash her hands after applying fake tan.
Photo by Janalyn Olson
A spray tan disaster.

Two brave, young souls took on the grueling task of becoming tan goddesses. Here’s what they learned.

Instant self tan:

Instant self tan is a beauty but also a BEAST. Do you want to look orange… but instantly? This is the product for you.

  • Cheap
  • Instant color
  • Has a bad smell
  • Streaky
  • Looks orange
  • Fades uneven

We recommend trying JERGENS® Natural Glow® Instant Sun™ which retails for $12.99 at Ulta. https://www.ulta.com/natural-glow-instant-sun-mousse?productId=xlsImpprod12041641

 

Gradual self tan:

Gradual self tan has by far been the most successful tanning technique we’ve tried. It has the most natural look.

  • Cheap
  • Not streaky
  • Not stressful – you can’t mess up
  • Not as obvious of a change as instant tan
  • You have to reapply every day to achieve a strong color
  • Fades gradually without leaving patches
  • Moisturizes your skin

We recommend trying Boost Color Building Tan Extending Lotion, which retails for $32.00 at Suntan City. https://www.norvelltanning.com/product/boost-color-building-tan-extender/

 

Spray tan:

Spray tanning was successful, but the results are much less natural than other options.

  • Expensive
  • Not streaky
  • Looks bad at first until your first shower
  • Smells bad
  • You have to leave the house and go to a tanning salon
  • Can buy primer and extender for better results
  • More color options
  • Looks spotty when it fades
  • Hands and feet can look really bad if you don’t apply enough barrier cream

 

Tanning bed:

The tanning bed is the most natural of the fake tanning methods, but also the most dangerous.

  • Risk of cancer
  • Real tan
  • Looks natural
  • Lasts longer than other options
  • You have to go multiple times to build a tan
  • You can get sunburned
  • You get cool glasses, but they leave untanned eye circles
  • You don’t get tan in the places where you sweat
  • Makes you itchy
  • Causes freckles
  • You have to lay in other people’s germs and sweat