Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've tried them all. I'll give a quick review of some favorites, and tell you why it just so happens I love one of the cheapest brands the most. - Loreal Sublime Bronze: Color: good. Scent: meh. Lasting: 4-5 days. Fade: in patches :(. Worst of all: TOO PALE. Had to apply twice. - St. Tropez: Color: amazing. Scent: yum!. Lasting: 6-7 days. Fade: evenly. Worst of all: TOO PALE. Had to apply twice. - Fake Bake: Color: good. Scent: good. Lasting: 3-4 days. Fade: evenly. Worst of all: TOO PALE. Had to apply twice. (And it takes HOURS to dry.) See where I'm going? Banana Boat Deep Dark Color is actually... drumroll please... Deep and Dark! It doesn't fade as evenly as St. Tropez, but I don't have to waste hours on an extra application. Other tanners say they're "dark" but this gem you can find at any grocery/pharmacy store is the only true dark I've come across. It's a godsend. Color: dark, realistic. Scent: Mild, you can barely smell anything. Lasting 6-7 days. Fade: in patches :( You must scrub and reapply. The lotion dries almost instantly so it doesn't take a half-day just to fake a bake. I've used it - lightly - on my face with no bad reactions. HOW TO ACHIEVE THE PERFECT FAKE TAN (Note: This suggested process seems long, but it is not, it is just very detailed to ensure the process goes quicker. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be fake tanning in a jiffy.) You will need: - A pair of gloves, POWDER FREE or your tan lotion will turn to globs and streak on your skin. Try Safetouch Powder Free Latex Exam Gloves, Non-Sterile, Mediumfor example. - A sturdy back cleaner to exfoliate. Note: If you have sensitive skin, it may be best you use sugar or salt scrubs, but my skin is not sensitive, and I've found that a product like AquaBella Long Handle Bath Brush (Medium-Soft)Colors may vary works MUCH better to exfoliate and smooth your skin for the fake tanning ritual. - Tanning lotion. - REGULAR lotion. Step 1: SHOWER - Use the exfoliator of your choice (I suggest the back brush cleaner) and with mild soap, work the exfoliator in CIRCULAR motions around your entire body. Pay special attention to dry patches, like elbows, knees, ankles, toes, etc. If you're tanning your face, gently exfoliate that too with a wash cloth or face-specific exfoliator. Step 2: DRY - Step out of the shower, and blot dry your body. Wait around a few minutes to ensure you dry completely, and open your bathroom door to allow all the moisture in the air to leave. If you apply tanning lotion in a moist, wet bathroom, you will get streaky results. Step 3: PREP - Take any REGULAR lotion (do not touch your tanning lotion yet!) and use whatever is necessary to moisturize your dry patches: elbows, knees, ankles, toes, etc. - A. Why is this step so important? Your skin is thicker at your elbows and knees, and therefore absorbs MUCH more tanning lotion. You apply REGULAR lotion because they will moisturize your thicker skin, and prevent too much tanning lotion from absorbing. I think every self tanner has made this horrible mistake at least once. It sucks to be happy with your fake tan.... but you have DARK ORANGE elbows and knees. - B. If you are going to use the tanning lotion on your face, moisturize your face as well with your typical face moisturizer, paying special attention to the delicate skin around your eyes. Your face will also absorb MUCH more tanning lotion, and your regular lotion will help prevent any embarrassing patches or streaks. Step 4: APPLY - Now that you're completely dry, and your rough patches are moisturized, put on your powder-free gloves and get to work. I like to work from bottom up, with my arms and wrists done very last. - A. Why do your arms last? Because applying tanning lotion to your body requires you to get in awkward angles. I've found my yoga classes really paid off when I apply the lotion to my back. This causes your arms to be occasionally streaked with the lotion because it brushes up against body parts. Doing your arms last ensures you can rub in the uneven application of tanning lotion. - B. Use SMALL amounts of tanning lotion at a time. For example, take a dime-to-quarter sized amount for ONE calf. Rub that lotion in the broader areas of your calf BEFORE spreading the leftover lotion to your ankles, feet, and between your toes. The residue lotion on your gloves is more than enough to cover the tricky small areas. Now, start on the next calf, then your thigh, then the next thigh, etc. - C. Now that you've rubbed in the lotion, you're ALMOST done. What are you going to do about your hands and wrists that have been covered by the gloves? Grab some paper towels/toilet paper. Remove and discard the gloves. Wrap some of the paper around the tanning bottle to ensure you don't get any on your finger tips. Fold the rest of the paper into a sturdy square (or use cotton balls). Pour the tanning lotion on to the square/cotton ball and rub the lotion into your wrists, the back of your hands, and LIGHTLY in between your fingers. VOILÀ! Be sure to romp around your home naked for 15-20 minutes. If this is too much for your significant other to handle without touching your skin and compromising all your hard work, KICK THEM OUT! Tell them you'll play when you're done and dry. At the end of the 15-20 minutes, you can put on clothes (or not, its your rodeo), and continue your day as normal. Within 8 hours, a perfectly even tan will emerge. Final Note: I recommend doing all this before you go to bed. If you have white sheets, prepare to wash them, or just buy dark sheets. HAPPY TANNING!