My Personal Thoughts On The Body Shop’s Fake It!

I first used The Body Shop’s Fake It! self tanning moisturizing lotion about a two years ago. This was when Jergens had just come out with their new self tanning product and you couldn’t find it on the shelves. I decided to try Fake It! I expected it to work as good if not better than the Jergens Natural Glow but it really didn’t meet those expectations.

Fake It! is one of those subtle tanners. You won’t end up with a sun-kissed glow after one application. This self tanner works best over the course of 3-4 days. The results are a natural sun-kissed glow but you have to remember to apply your daily applications during the first week or you will be just adding a day or two for your color to become a natual sun-kissed glowing sensation. Maintaining your tan requires reappling the self tanning lotion every other day, or at least that is how it worked for me.

For the price of $16.50 per tube, I would rather use Dove Energy Glow at $6.99 a tube or Jergens Natural Glow. I had better results with both of these products after 2 days and they are both under $10 a tube.

Xen-Tan Body Sponge For Smooth Applications

Xen-Tan Body Sponge is an excellent tool to have on hand for applying sunless self tanning moisturizers. It is super soft, measures 6 inches in diameter and is a perfect fit for your hand.

You can use the Xen-Tan Body Sponge with other Xen-Tan products or any other brand of self tanning moisturizers you choose. This application sponge can be used with sunless sprays, a mousse, foam, or lotion formulas. It works very well with the Xen-Tan Sunless Tanning Spray – Dark Mist. It is a great way to make sure your application is even and it keeps your hands spot free.

Xen-Tan Body Sponge retails for only $4.00 and can be purchased at Xen-Tan’s website.

True Blue Spa Glow & Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15

Bath and Body Works has a 3-in-1 formula of sunless tanning lotion in the True Blue line called Glow & Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15. This self tanning lotion also includes protection from the sun and free radical damage with the addition of a sun protection factor of 15. It also contains a moisturizer which allows you the convenience of having your self tanner and moisturizer combined AND be protected from the sun.

Glow & Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15 is a great product for daily use. It builds your sun-kissed glowing tan gradually (as the name implies) which gives you a true and natural looking tan. You also benefit from the moisturizing agents included so your skin stays soft, allowing you to skip applying moiturizer in the form of another product.

Glow & Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15 comes in an attractive 6 oz. blue and gold tube and is available at Bath and Body Works for only $15.00 a tube. If you prefer to shop the retail store, you will have the advantage of receiving their coupons at checkout for future purchases.

Murad Self Tanner Provides Protection With SPF 15

Murad Self Tanner is a step above most self tanning products on the market. They have taken the process of self tanning one step further, adding protection from the sun with SPF 15 and an anti-aging compound. In fact, Murad, has been having a hard time keeping this item in stock because it has been so popular over the summer months.

Murad Self Tanner contains a patented skin repair process that helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidants, vitamins, UV protection all work together to prevent free radical damage to your skin, maintains your skin’s balance, texture and tone. This one also works as a moisturizer so you can bypass that extra step of moisture/body lotion while using this product. Silicone, panthenol and other skin conditioners lock in moisture keeping your skin smooth and silky.

Murad Self Tanner is available online at Murad.com. It comes in a 4.3 oz. tube and retails for $24.00.

Ingredients:

Avobenzone (2.0%), Octinoxate (3.0%), Water (Aqua), Dihydroxyacetone, Cyclomethicone, Isopropyl Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potato Starch Modified, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Dimethicone, Melanin, Punica Granatum Extract, Chitosan Ascorbate, Zinc Aspartate, Lysine Lauroyl Methionate, Rice Amino Acids, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Retinyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil.

California North Titanium Self-Tanner: Tropical Look & Scent

California North Titanium Self-Tanner is another great choice for a natural sun-kissed tan. It has a wonderful coconut scent that will remind you of the tropics and comes in a 8 fl. oz. bottle and retails for $26.00.

California North Titanium Self-Tanner provides a light touch of color which makes your new glow look very natural. After initial application your skin will appear as if you had just a touch of sun the day before. You can use this California North self tanning lotion on both your body and face. Reapply every other day for maintaining your desired new color.

You can purchase California North Titanium Self-Tanner online at Amazon.com.

Ingredients include:

Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Dihydroxyacetone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Benzophenone-3, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Methyl Glyceth-20, Allantoin, Methylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Propylparaben.

Aveda Sun Source: Self Tanning With Natural Ingredients And Vitamins!

Aveda Sun Source is a great product to add to your self tanning product stash. It contains vitamins, antioxidants, natural ingredients to moisturize your skin–and it is also a self tanning lotion that can be used on face and body. Aveda Sun Source comes in a 5 fl. oz. tube.

This lightweight formula provides tanning results in just 2-3 hours from application. It includes the antioxidant vitamins of Vitamin A, C and E. It also contains natural skin softening indredients from aloe, advocado, almond and sesame oil extracts. Aveda Sun has a natural and pleasant scent coming from these natural ingredients. You also will not have to worry about any artificial dyes or colorings in Aveda because they pride themselves on the “all-natural” ingredients.

Note that Aveda does not contain any sunscreen so take precautions if you are going out in the sun for any length of time!

Ingredients

Almond oil, Aloe vera extract, Avocado oil, Echinacea extract, Sesame oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Walnut shell extract.

Aveda Sun Source is available at Aveda.com for only $16.50 per tube.