My Sunless Tanner Routine with Fake Bake

If you’re looking for some advice on which sunless tanner to use, and how to use it, you’ve come to the right place! I’m sharing the current product I’m using and my sunless tanner routine to get the perfect glow!

My tanning history

Let me just start by giving you a bit of my background, maybe you can relate!

I used to be an avid tanning bed user for about six years in high school and college – terrifying! My parents would warn me about the risks and begged me to stop, but much like any other teenager, I was stubborn (sigh).

One day, I went to the doctor for a checkup and he discovered a few weird looking moles. Sure enough, he had to remove them, sent them out for testing and then came the results.

I had precancerous moles.

He scared me like no other and after a few more guilty trips to the tanning salon (because let’s face it, I was stubborn) I freaked out and never went back.

Addicted to tanning?

At that point, I was so addicted to the dark brown color I regularly had from tanning.

I freaked out and started putting sunless tanners to the test!

Every sunless tanner under the sun

When I first started using sunless tanners, I had no idea what I was doing.

I went to local CVS or grocery store and started buying all the cheaper brands like L’Oreal and Jergens.

Disclaimer: I haven’t used these in about 12 years so I’m sure they’ve come a long way.

I turned orange from just about everything I tried. I felt so discouraged and knew something had to change. It just wasn’t the same color.

Youtube FTW

Youtube wasn’t necessarily new in town but people weren’t using it nearly as much as they are today. 

I jumped on Youtube and started searching for “the best sunless tanners.” Much to my surprise, there were a lot of great videos with great suggestions.

Favorite sunless tanners

I began trying every designer brand sunless tanner I could find. At the time, online shopping wasn’t as popular so I was searching for stores high and low that would carry these products.

After trying TONS of products, I landed on these as my top favorite:

• • Fake Bake Flawless

• • Fake Bake Flawless Darker

• • St Tropez Dark

• • Loving Tan Ultra Dark

• • Vita Liberata Body Blur

Sunless tanner routine

Out of the list above, the latest tanner I use is Fake Bake Flawless. I was using the darker version but I like to switch it up every once in awhile. 

Some of the Fake Bake products are apply and go so I find that as a huge advantage when I don’t want to apply, sleep and rinse the next day.

Prep:

Before I apply the tanner, I shower and shave. 

I make sure I exfoliate my skin as well. Personally, I like to use St Ives Apricot scrub.

This is going to sound bad, but the dryer and cleaner your skin, the better the tanner will adhere.

Application:

I usually do my hair and makeup first so I can ensure my skin is completely dry before applying the tanner.

Once I’m ready to apply, I use two separate tanning mitts, one for my face and one for the rest of my body.

I use a small lined tanning mitt for my face. Sometime I mix the tanner with my foundation for extra coverage. 

If it’s my face, I pump two sprays of solution onto the mitt and then apply in small quick circular motions around my face. 

For my body, I pump about three sprays for each arm, leg, etc. 

The trick is to move quickly and in circular motions so it doesn’t dry and streak. 

Let it dry

Once the tanner is applied, I wait to get dressed. I’ll finish touching up my hair or choose my outfit for the day.

I wait at least five minutes and then carefully put my clothes on. 

Tip: be extra careful when wearing white, it’s easy to transfer to the clothes, but wearing white can be done!

Sunless tanner routine summary

To keep my tan fresh, I apply every few days! Now you’re equipped to stay tan the safe way all year long.

What are your favorite sunless tanners? Have you tried any others not mentioned?

Share your thoughts  with me in the comments or on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook. Follow me while you’re at it, I’ll follow you back!

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