My Self Tanning Routine

Happy Friday. Another week here, another week gone. Since ALL of us are not traveling to the beach we must either settle sitting poolside (lucky you) or faking our sun kissed glow by doing it ourselves in our bathrooms. Unfortunately, I’m the latter. I’ve been getting my tan on at home and today I’m going to share my routine.

I was recently sent the Wake Up Tan Self-Tan Water Mousse from Mystic Tan. I was also sent the mitt applicator. The water mousse comes in a pump bottle that comes out as a white foam. It’s light feeling and really smooth to apply. It does smell like a tanner BUT that wears off after showering. Be sure to wait 4-8 hours after applying before getting wet. This is why it is suggested to use before you go to bed. This product is clear so you don’t need to worry about transferring any color to your clothes or your sheets.

The mitt is so soft. It applies the product so nice and quickly. You do not need the mitt to apply this self tanner although, it is much easier. You can use your hands but be sure to wash your hands immediately afterwards. Read on for my step by step instructions on applying your self tanner!

Right now any purchase made on the Mystic Tan website, 20% will be given to the American Nurses Association! You will also get free shipping and an applicator mitt with ANY purchase. BONUS: Uses code nurse20 for 20% off your purchase.

Step 1: Prep

Before I apply any self tanner I ALWAYS shower to wash and exfoliate my skin. This will help your tan last longer and go on more evenly. Shave if you need to. This will not only help with exfoliating your skin but also helps when applying the tanner. It goes on much more smoothly.

Step 2: Apply Lotion

I apply self tanner right out of the shower, after I dry off of course but be sure to moisturize first, this is important. I apply lotion to my knees, elbows, in-between my fingers and toes, to my heels and ankles and around my armpits. You can use any lotion but I prefer to use a hydrating unscented one for this. By doing this it helps smooth out the skin so the product doesn’t settle into the lines and wrinkles that tend to be in these areas. This is why you see these areas being so dark! Don’t skip this step.

Step 3: Apply Self Tanner

Apply product. Pump (or squeeze, depending on what kind you’re using) the product onto the mitt or onto your hands and apply to your body in circular motions. I like to start with my legs and feet before moving up to the rest of my body. Apply quickly and evenly as much as possible. With this Water Mousse being clear it was a little difficult to see where I applied it. It would be very easy to go overboard or not apply enough with a clear tanner. Other products have bronzer in them so you can see the color shift when applying. If you are new to the self tanning game, I suggest getting one with tint/bronzer in it to see where you’re applying until you get the hang of it. This mystic tan product here, is great because it caters to specific skin undertones. You can choose warm or cool and it comes with a bronzer in it so you can see where you are applying.

Do not use any body tanner on your face! Some say that they are meant for both but try to only use specific face products on your face. The skin on your face is so much more thin and sensitive and can clog much more easily. Use a specific face tanner or just get a shade darker in your foundation, which is what I tend to do.

Step 4: Wait!

Wait for product to dry. NEVER and I repeat NEVER put your clothes back on before your tanner is dry. I made this mistake once and it was streak city! Wait around, jump around, walk around, whatever you want to do but do it for at least a couple minutes. Once dry, get dressed in the loosest clothes possible and head to bed.

Step 5: Shower

Shower in the morning. Shower to rinse off and lightly apply your body wash. I don’t use a loofah, just my hands. If there is any residual product, the shower will get it off and you’ll be left with a beautiful sun kissed glow. I use a very hydrating body wash after using self tanners.

Step 6: Moisturize

Moisturize your skin like you’ve never moisturized before. I suggest getting a great hydrating lotion and apply each and everyday to extend the life of your tan. With any self tanner, no matter how hydrating they say that they are, you still need to apply lotion and hydrate your skin. I typically apply lotion in the mornings and before I go to bed.

In addition to moisturizing to maintain the life of your tan, do not use an exfoliating scrub because it will take off some of your tan. Also, do not rub harshly with a towel after showering, all you need to do is pat yourself dry.

Types of Self Tanners

Mousse / Lotion – There are all different kinds of self tanners out there. I prefer the mousse ones because they apply so smoothly and it’s easier to control. There are also lotions that can either give you instant color or develop over time. I do not like the instant ones because they tend to rub off on clothes. Although, they do come out when put through the wash, it’s still a pain in the butt!

Drops – I’ve also used tanning drops and my favorite ones that give the most natural looking tan are the Isle Of Paradise Tanning Drops in Medium. You add 3-12 drops (depending on how dark you want your tan) to any lotion or moisturizer that you want and apply to your skin. Wash your hands immediately afterwards too! The drops are great to use after your mousse or lotion tanners to enhance areas you may have missed or that are a little light.

Sprays – I do not like spray self tanners because they can get so messy and they are much harder to control. If you are trying out a spray self tanner then I suggest spraying over a towel to protect your floors. Spray then immediately rub in and evenly distribute so you don’t look patchy.

Also See
Tips For A Spa Night At Home
My Current Nighttime Skincare Routine

That’s it! I hope you found this post helpful for all your self tanning needs. Thanks again for stopping by and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any posts from me. Thank you all for reading. Until next time,

PIN IT