Best Face Self-Tanner Review

I have been looking for a natural, easy to use face self-tanner. Just to give me a little color as I do not normally get any color because I don't tan. During the summer months I wear sunscreen and wear large hats to protect my skin as much as possible. 

I tested 3 face self-tanners below for several months and I chose a winner.

In no particular order:

Tarte Brazilliance set of 5 self-tanning face towelettes

I first started using these towelettes. I love the ease of use of it, the color it provided and length of time it lasted. 

It comes with 5 towelettes in one box. Depending on how tan you want to be, a box like this would last me 5 weeks, as I only use one packet/towelette a week.

Unfold the single-use towelette and apply in even strokes to clean, dry skin on the face and neck, making sure to blend into the hairline. I also use it on the back of my neck and a bit down the chest so it all blends in. It is important to blend it into the hairline or you will see an obvious difference in color.

I use it until the towelette is completely dry. I haven't had any issues of streaking, as I really make sure I am covering every spot that I want to cover.

Wash hands immediately after use. I use just soap and water. And my biggest tip is to use an exfoliating pumice stone, like this one. I use this to gently (very gently) go over my hands, fingernails and in between my fingers so I don't have any color develop on my palms and around my nails.

As soon as you put it on you will see color, but the true color develops in about 4 hours. I sometimes do this after I take a shower at night, so I can awake with a tan look. I never have had an issue of it transferring to my white blankets or pillowcases. I have also done it in the morning before I put my sunscreen/moisturizer and makeup and the color develops pretty quickly. 

My face feels moisturized when I use the towelette and doesn't have a tan smell, like some self-tanners do.

These were my favorite and I still use them here and there, but I have now moved on to Tan-luxe self-tan drops, which I reviewed below, and the drops are my favorite.

TAN-LUXE - THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops 

First, I should mention that this is what I use every week. It is the most natural looking solution I have found and tried and it is the easiest to use.

I have had so many compliments since using this one. Most people ask if I have just returned from vacation. I literally get asked "Where did you just come back from?" 

I wear the medium/dark color and I have also used the light/medium. Depending on which one I just change up the amount of drops I use.

It has raspberry seed oil, aloe vera and vitamin E, so when I put this on it makes my face feel soft. It is no wonder that it is an Allure Best of Beauty award winner.

Out of the 3, I find it to be the easiest to use. All you have to do is add a few drops of it in your regular moisturizer. 

How I use it: 

The day before I apply it I exfoliate my skin. The next day, and every 4 days, I put about 4-5 drops (in the darker shade or 6 drops of the lighter shade)  in my Olay Sunscreen Moisturizer (SPF 30). The more drops you add the darker the color. I apply it all over my face, blending it in to my hairline; my neck and back of neck, ears, chest.

Right after I apply it, I wash my hands with soap and use my exfoliator pumice palm stone and very gently and lightly scrub my hands. I never have streaks or strange tan streaks on my palms and hands.

The bottle is a bit pricey, but a bottle lasts me a long time. 

TanTowel Endless Tan Classic Self-Tanning Kit 

This TanTowel Endless Tan Classic Kit has the perfect combination of self-tanning towelettes and a liquid Tanning Mist that works as a towelette refill.

This one is a bit different then the others in that it comes with a Spray Tanning bottle that you mist directly onto the towelette packets and apply to the body and face for touch ups.

Each towelette is already concentrated with a self-tanning formula, like the tarte towelettes. But this also comes with a Tanning Mist that you can use to touch up missed areas after development and extends your application time per towelette. I found myself using the mist because the towelette didn't have enough concentration/fluid on it, so I kept using the bottle to soak the towelette for one application. I didn't have this issue with the Tarte towelette, in which there was more than enough fluid in Tarte's for one application.

How I use it:

Unfold towelette and apply to dry, clean skin in a circular motion over your body. Wash hands immediately.

To moisturize and enhance your tan, follow with TanTowelÕs On The Glow (not included) as soon as 10 minutes after application.

Allow 4-6 hours to pass before exposing the skin to moisture.

Tan may continue to develop for up to 24 hours.

To build your tan, complete another application every 4 hours until desired level of tan is achieved.

Summary

As I mentioned above, while they are all very good, my personal favorite is the Tan Luxe oil drops. I have been using them for over 3 years now.  The color is super-natural and it is so convenient to just add the drops to any moisturizer that you use. The bottle lasts and there isn't an additional item to throw away, such as towelette. 

Tips when using

• Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you finish applying it. Because it will stain. 
  Buy a pumice stone to very lightly and gently scrub your palms and hands after applying the tanner.
  
  
• Exfoliate the day or two before you plan on applying the tanner. I just use a scrub on my face to exfoliate the day or night before, so this way there isn't any dry patches on my face when I apply it. If you do have dry patches the tanner will adhere to the dry skin giving an uneven look.
  
  
• If possible, apply it in the morning after your shower or you washed your face/brushed your teeth, and then wait until it dries. This way you do not run the risk of exposing your skin to water as it will not completely develop. You can also apply it the night before with your night moisturizer. 
  
  
• Blend, blend, blend. The first time I used a self-tanner, I realized I did not go up high enough and my temples were not tanned and my neck and chin had a few missing spots.
  
  
• A few drops go a long way. I use about 5-6 drops and that looks the most natural to me, but you can experiment and find your sweet spot. Luckily it fades after a few day. It takes me about 3 days for it to fade.
  
  
• I make sure I cover everything on my face, chin, neck, ears, high temples and hairline, and exposed chest. Because I add these drops to my sunscreen I add it everywhere on my face/neck/chest where I normally put sunscreen.  Blending it all the way around and up gives it the most natural look.