Lancome Flash Bronzer Airbrush Review

Lancome, the Paris-based cosmetics company, is widely considered to be one of the most trusted names in the beauty industry. However, if they keep releasing products like the Flash Bronzer Airbrush, their approval rating is gonna rival that of Tom Cruise’s marriage to Katie Holmes.

This product wasn’t just bad. It was downright awful. That’s not to say that all Lancome self-tanning products should be avoided… just this one. One caveat before I continue: It’s tough for me to give this sunless tanner a fair shake. Because of the nature of airbrushes in general, they can be difficult to apply properly. Therefore part of the reason for my displeasure might have something to do with poor application. But that’s only part of the problem. Review:

Strengths: Ummm… the tan sure lasts awhile.

Weaknesses: The tan sure lasts awhile. And while this is usually a good thing, it’s not so good when the tan has more than a tint of orange to it. And my tan was splotchy. Lancome claims that the spray is an ultra-fine mist, but you better know what you’re doing if you want to see light, even distribution without any loose droplets or heavy spurting. After my experience with this sunless tanning spray, I think I’m gonna stick to the self-tanning lotions like Fake Bake’s Anti-Aging Self Tanner Lotion for the Face.

Breakthrough in Self Tanning Technology

Consumer products companies have been trying to get it right for years, but they’ve always come up short on sunless tanning products. While people have heard the warnings about getting too much sun or taking too many trips to the tanning salon, there hasn’t been a good alternative. Until now.

Historically sunless tanning products have been messy, smelly, hard to apply, and often leave streaky results with unpredicable and startling colors. Well, the new crop of tanning moisturizers may still have a smell that is an acquired taste but they get great marks across the board for delivering a safe, easy, natural bronzed look.

For example, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Self Tanning Moisturizer combines the same moisturizing ingredients found in many other lotions (e.g. glycerin, petrolatum, mineral oil) with color enhancing ingredients dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, and Erythrulose. According to the Jergens web site, the secret sauce has been to combine them in a special way:

“What are the color enhancing ingredients?
DHA is found in common sunless tanners, Erythrulose is not typically found in common sunless tanners. Erythrulose is used in prestige department store brand facial sunless tanning products. Jergens® natural glow Daily Moisturizer contains a combination of DHA and Erythrulose to provide more natural-looking skin color than sunless tanners which typically contain only DHA.

How do the color enhancing ingredients work?
Our research has optimized the combination of Erythrulose and DHA, so that they work together to subtly enhance and gradually deepen your natural skin color. Both Erythrulose and DHA provide deeper skin color through chemical reactions, called the Maillard Reaction. However, they deepen skin color at different rates of change and to different skin colorations. Both ingredients are safe for consumers for topical use.”

If you haven’t already, try some Jergens Natural Glow before the winter causes retailers to be sold out of the populer self-tanning lotion.

Self Tanning Lamps

Tanning lamps offer another alternative for the individual looking for a quick method of tanning. Tanning lamps have long been a popular method of indoor tanning, providing the convenience, control and reliability that natural sunlight cannot always offer, especially during the winter months.

Tanning lamps work by exposing the user to two types of ultraviolet light – UVA and UVB rays. As the UV hits the skin, it stimulates the production of melanin which causes the skin pigmentation to darken.

Unfortunately, those using tanning lamps will subject themselves to similar risks that are incurred from exposure to natural sunlight. Because tanning lamps use UV exposure to achieve their results, it is important to exhibit caution and restraint in use. Always wear recommended eye protection, as UV rays can cause temporary or permanent damage to the eyes. Additionally, you should always follow the safety instructions that come with the equipment or are posted near it, and you should never exceed the recommended time limit per tanning session. For more information, click the linked url about the dangers of tanning lamps and the precautions you can take to help ensure a safer tanning experience. And don’t forget TanningMoisturizer.com’s internal Tanning Health Guide — this article discusses the risks associated with Tanning Beds which use tanning lamps.

Sunless Tanning 101

If you’re new to the world of sunless tanning, here’s a great FAQ that will help you get up to speed. It answers a lot of those basic questions that you realize you wish you’d thought of before you started but you didn’t and now it’s too late. Questions like:

My hands are really, really orange. Help!

Ok, maybe that wasn’t exactly formulated as a question. But you get the idea. Also check out our deep and growing Self Tannning Tips section which contains all our accumulated knowledge on things like Should I Use Self Tanning Lotion on my body AND my face? or Sunless Tans Gone Wrong and How To Fix Them or Protecting Your Skin From An Uneven Sunless Tan.

The Snow Won’t Stop Your Self-Tan: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

It has gotten to the point in the NorthEast where we don’t even remember what the sun is supposed to look like. We vaguely remember some sort of yellow orb that floats glowing in the sky, but that memory has been drowned out by a almost two weeks worth of gloom. Despite the ill weather, there are still great ways to get a tan and look healthy.

The best way to get a tan on a sunless snowy day like today (and the days before that) is with tanning moisturizer. The best product to start with is Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, which is inexpensive and effective. Don’t take our word for it — read this Jergens Natural Glow testimonial from a style editor. There are different shades depending on your skin tone, so be sure to match your Jergens Natural Glow with your skin tone. With the weather the way it is, maybe this is what it feels like to live in Canada, where sunless tanning is needed the most.

TanningMoisturizer.com has a page dedicated to all the questions you might have about Jergens Self Tanning.

Clarins Self Tanning Review

Clarins has a boatload of self-tanning lotions, creams, spays, gels everything, so if they are your brand of choice, you are all set in the self-tanning world. TanningMoisturizer.com has a page dedicated to Clarins Self-Tanning products and the page is growing every week. Wondering what looks good with white jeans? Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-Tanner. Looking for a review of Clarins Self Tanning Face Cream? Well our Clarins Self Tanning page will hook you up.

Dermalogica Full Spectrum Wipes Review

Sunscreen! Here? Yes! I just like this product. Sometimes you are going to need sunscreen, and it can be a pain to apply it. You always risk missing spots, like the time I missed the back of my knee. Not good times. The Dermalogica Full Spectrum Wipes (SPF15) are simply sunscreen with a towel application process. Open up the sealed package and wipe. Even, easy and safe sun protection.

Mini-review:

Strengths: Towel form offers a great way to apply screen evenly with confidence, convenient packaging

Weaknesses: Not a great value, 15 for $21, no tanning component

Different application methods give consumers the power to use products how they want to use them . Consumer choice is awesome and the Dermalogica Full Spectrum Wipes fill a niche for those who have a SPF need.