Inexpensive self tanner

[Pastamom]

Does anyone know of a good inexpensive easy to find self tanner?

I'm not looking to be "tanned" - just a couple shades darker than pasty white or as DH puts it "glow in the dark white"

Thanks

 

[DISdreamin']

I'll be watching too, hoping to get rid of these cavefish-white legs! Scaaaaary!

 

[2kids2dogs]

I have used the Jergens Natural Glow lotion for 2 years, and I love it. It is not too expensive, I just bought mine from Drugstore.com, you can get it cheap at Target or Walmart too. Looks natural (does not scream fake tan), and smells good too. Easy to apply, but, be careful around the knees and ankles, those can get darker (exfoliate first in the shower). It is gradual with the regular lotion, but, I have also used the express type, and it works faster. I also use their facial lotion that gives you a slight tint. They have a light shade that I always start with this time of year! To maintain it, as you also get some natural sun you could try the medium.

 

[meriface11]

jergens natural is great to use year round...gives you a "not pasty" look, but not a true tan like a self tanner gives you. if you decide to go the route of a self tanner, i recommend neutrogena spray or loreal sublime glow gel. the spray is SO easy, especially for the tricky hands and feet (put some vaseline on your cuticles and nails and just spray straight down), and the loreal provides fantastics, natural looking color, it's just a little trickier to apply in the harder places. if you do your hands with a cream or gel, it's best to use a cotton ball or paper towel to apply, because if you use your fingers, you still have to wash your hands to get the self tanner off, and then you are back to square one. i often use the loreal on my arms, legs, chest, stomach, and face, and then spray my hands and feet, and have DH spray my back.

 

[marynpaul]

I use Everglow by Ocean Potion. I used to find it at Wal-Mart for around $5
but not any longer. I looked online and order thru drugstore.com ..I got 7 bottles for $30.00. They stuff works great and smells real nice.

 

[livie1205]

I use banana boat,its 6.00 at target.It works fast and does not make you look like you have a fake tan.

 

[Pakey]

I use the Loreal. I've used it for 2 years and have never had a problem with my hands with it. My husband has to do my back though.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

I used Neutrogena build-a-tan for a long time.

Anything that requires several applications is probably the best. It tans gradually so you have less of a chance of getting orange, less of a chance of irregular spots of color because of poor application, and less of a chance of peeling/exfoliating skin causing weird spots of color.

Last year I bought the self-tanner at B&BW because it was well-reviewed. I liked it but it ruined some pajama pants due to the smell (not a bad smell at all, but OMG it lingered!!!) so I was really leery of using it any other time and then was afraid it would make my sheets smell (I always apply at night) so it kinda turned me off that one. BUT the color was nice.

Oh my goodness, I was just proofreading after posting and noticed my tag from a prior discussion on self-tanner! FYI the tan towels really are awesome!! but they are def not budget.

 

[antsss]

I also love Neutrogena Build A Tan. I use it mostly on my face and apply with latex gloves so I have no clean-up issues with my cuticles, etc.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

For a long time I used the target brand of gentle tanner, but then I found bath and body works self tanner, and I must say I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! I think it was about 10 dollars for the bottle and it doesn't take much. It goes a long way and has a great smell.

 

[Pastamom]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Just a quick question - For the gradual tanners - do you apply them everyday?

I used to use the Estee Lauder self tanner, loved it, but it got to be way too expensive. I'd use it about twice a week to not look too dark/fake.

 

[amcnj]

The sun?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I use Shady Glow (I buy it from www.ulta.com when they have free shipping and discounts available, it's about $28 and a bottle lasts about 2 months). It's a spray and I use latex gloves to rub it in (I use it about once a week). It looks really natural and is made of mostly natural ingredients and is paraben free.

 

[ceecee]

I like Jergen's Natural. It is not orangey and is very forgiving if you aren't applying it perfectly. Also it doesn't smell as bad as some of the other tanners I've used.

 

[sydneysmom]

I got Kroger's brand that's a knock off of the Jergens Natural Glow. it was like $ 3.50 !! (they put it right on the shelf next to the Jergens like "compare me to Jergens) I was kind of skeptical, because it's a generic, but honestly, it worked just as great as the Jergen's. I got the medium skin (because I'm kind of pasty too) and put it on at night . (even on my face) the next day my skin had such a pretty glow. no orange at all. SO I'm sticking w/ my Kroger brand!!