Hey, hey friends!!! Something I look forward to every summer is the light tan I get from hanging out at the pool every other day or so. I try to get as much vitamin D as humanly possible in the summer because I am SERIOUSLY affected by dark and gloomy winter weather. I would be outside every single day if I could be when it’s warm and sunny. I love being a little bit bronze and I LOVE when my freckles start to peek out on my cheeks. I am always SO SAD when winter comes and my freckles go away. HOWEVER – since I am in my third trimester of pregnancy, I won’t be spending as much time out in the hot sun because 1) I sweat like a MOTHER now 2) It isn’t super great for the baby to be in the sun for prolonged periods of time and 3) I no longer have access to my apartment complex pool so, ya know, there’s that. And because of all these reasons, I’ve chosen to look into some pregnancy-safe self tanners that will give me the faux summer glow I’ve always wanted and I finally found one that isn’t orange and is that gradual, subtle tan I have been looking for!
The BEST Self Tanner To Give You That Summer Glow (without the skin damage)
I have gone through quite a few self tanners over the last few months trying to find one that actually works and doesn’t make me look like an actual Cheeto. Because tan = cute, and orange = not cute. I’ve even tried several kinds from the SAME brand. What I ultimately landed on was the Liquid Gold Dry Tanning Oil from Bondi Sands. I originally got my first bottle from a PR packages I was sent a few months ago, but will definitely be repurchasing this when I ultimately run out.
WHY LIQUID GOLD?
There are SO MANY reasons I love this self tanner. Let me list them for you:
- It’s safe to use while pregnant. My doctor passed off on it, and Bondi Sands have a whole pregnancy tanning tips page on their website to help you get the most out of their products – which to use and which to avoid!
- It’s very subtle, but you can build it up. My first application I put on was SO subtle I almost wasn’t sure if it worked!! But that’s one of the reasons I love it so much. You can build up your color, and if you are fair like me, you don’t have to worry about shocking everyone who runs into you with your new tan. It’s so gradual it’s like you were in the sun for real.
- It smells delicious. So many self tanners have that weird burnt skin smell (gross) after application but this one smells like coconuts and sunscreen, which I happen to love. It didn’t irritate my already super sensitive nose so I count that as a win.
- No streaks. I used the self tanning mitt to rub it in, and applied lotion to my knees, elbows, neck and hands prior to application. Even when I didn’t have anyone else around helping me rub it in, I was still able to reach all those hard-to-get spots evenly.
- It dried almost instantly, so there is no fear of getting it on your sheets or clothes.
HOW TO APPLY:
It’s SO easy. Just spray it on your skin, and rub it in with the self tanning mitt! I started on my legs and worked my way up, and did two layers the first time. It takes 2-3 hours for the color to develop so you’ll start to notice after it’s been on for a while. The spray bottle is a little bit hard to press down on at first, but it does loosen up after a few pumps.
I added lotion like I mentioned above to make sure that the self tanner didn’t stick to those areas. I also recommend applying this in the bathtub because I did get the spray more places than my body. I stood in my shower to do it and just wiped down the spots with a washcloth after I was done.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
It lasts about a week without reapplication. I’ve been applying it after my hair-washing showers (which happen about 2x a week) to start, so that I could build up a base tan, and then took it down to about 1x a week once I got the color I wanted. It’s also great because it fades SO naturally – and there aren’t any weird patches or anything like that.
PIN THIS FOR LATER:
The Liquid Gold Dry Tanning Oil costs $24 and comes in a 5oz bottle. It really does last a long time because you aren’t applying it every day, and you can apply as often or as little as you want to. I don’t think the price is bad at all – especially for the quality!
Have you ever tried a self-tanner? What was your opinion?! Let me know in the comments below!
Typically I’m one for spray tans, but in between, I could seriously use a self-tanner like this! It sounds amazing – and something that’s easy, smells good, and doesn’t look fake is SO my cup of tea!
I have heard so many awesome reviews on this self tanner! Definitely want to try it out now!
Kileen
cute & little
OMG I need this! I’ve been looking for a pregnancy safe self-tanner!
I’ve actually used this self-tanner before and I loved it. It’s so good.
I’ve heard amazing things about this brand! Definitely need to try it out! Isn’t it Australian? Those Aussies sure know their tanning stuff!
Looks like a nice product! I don’t tan but will share it with my friends