Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!
Oh take me back…
…to this age 🙂 .
Whether you’re celebrating today with your significant other, your kiddos, your girlfriends or not celebrating at all, I am wishing you all a wonderful day and sending you lots of love.
Today on my blog though? We’re getting ready for Spring Break and talkin’ tanning on this Tuesday 🙂 .
If you’re tired of those winter blahs and ready to give yourself a little boost, I’m breaking down my faves for sunless tanner at home.
I think I’ve tried EVERYTHING, but these products here are my tried and true. Now, over the years, I’ve developed my own Type-A/structured/rigid way of using each one, so I thought I’d share and break ’em all down for you.
Ready, set, here we go…
Without a doubt. There is no other favorite. I’ve purchased so many bottles of Isle of Paradise I’ve lost count. If I were handing out beauty awards, this might take the cake as my FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT EVER. I love it.
Here are the deets according to me:
1: I always buy the green bottle (medium shade). They have other shades, but I love the medium, so I’ve never bothered purchasing the other options.
2: I do not self-tan my body year around (more on that below), but I do use this year around as my face is always protected with SPF (I wear it every day!) and when I’m outdoors, a hat. So…that means that even though my body gets fairly tan during the summer, my face never does.
3: Here’s how I apply: at night, after I wash my face and add any serums, I take my nighttime moisturizer and place a little in the palm of my hand. Then, I add 3 good drops of this Isle of Paradise into my palm and rub the two products together. Then, I apply all over my face, neck, ears and even into my hairline a bit. Then, I wash my hands well and am done. The next morning, I wake up with the perfect amount of color. It’s not too dark nor too light. If you want a darker tan, add more drops.
4: How often do I do this? I do this about every five days. I just kind of look in the mirror and know when it’s time to do it again. If you’re using a lot of masks and scrubs, it won’t last as long, but for me, I can get it to last about five days.
5: How often do I have to buy a new bottle? I would say that one bottle lasts six months.
I cannot rave about this product enough! IT IS AMAZING!
I started using Tanned AF last year and instantly liked it more than other self-tanners for body. I don’t love it as passionately as I do above, but truthfully, I don’t love the process of self-tanning my body as much as I do my face (it’s so much work!). I have tried so many expensive products, popular products, etc, but this one here takes the cake, and it’s SUPER affordable (especially compared to some self-tanners!).
Here are the deets according to me:
1: I always buy it on Amazon and have never received a bad bottle (I know some people don’t like buying beauty products on Amazon).
2: I only use self-tanner on my body in February, March and April. Between May and September, my normal life gives me enough of a natural tan that I don’t need to add anymore. In October through January, I’m too busy looking at pumpkins and listening to Christmas music to care one bit about being tan…but come February, I start seeing warm weather clothes in stores and start thinking about spring break, so I’m into my self-tanner. I do not use it regularly just when I need it (so maybe a few times a month). Why? I’m lazy.
3: I always apply this tanner at night after my shower. I dry myself off really well, I do NOT apply any lotion and then I start applying this tanner.
Here is what it looks like out of the bottle…
It’s a foam consistency (which I love!), and it’s darker in color when you put it on. Both of these things make it SO easy to apply because it’s smooth and light AND since it has color, you can actually see where you’re applying it. You can either pump it out into sections of your body and begin rubbing it in with your hand or…
…you can use a mitt to easily rub it in without staining your hands. Sometimes, I put it on and then rub it in with the mitt and then other times, I spray it right on the mitt and rub it on. Both ways work really well.
4: After I rub it all over, I stand there about three minutes and let it air dry. Then, I put on my pjs (no lotion) and head to bed. The next morning, I wake up with a nice little tan.
5: Does it rub off on my clothes and sheets? I sleep on white sheets and have never experienced that. I’m not saying it won’t happen to you, but that’s why I let it air dry, and I’ve never ever had it happen to me.
6: How long does it last? I would say that this lasts about three-ish days. If you keep applying every night (or every other), the color will continue to build and grow darker/last longer. Usually for me, just doing it once and being done with it is plenty.
7: How do you get your back? I don’t. I mean, I guess I could ask Andrew to do my back, but I feel like I’m typically applying this for when I need to throw on a dress or shorts, so it doesn’t matter. I’ve never really noticed that my back isn’t as dark. I don’t let that stress me out. It’s just easier to do it myself.
Okay, those are my two MAIN products, BUT, I also keep these two on hand for when I travel.
Awwwww! I’ve blogged about these little tanning towels about a million times. Before I discovered Isle of Paradise, this was all I used FOR YEARS. I don’t use them as regularly anymore, but I do continue to buy them and take them with me when I travel. These little tanning towels for face (body is down below) are so easy to throw in my toiletry bag and use when I’m traveling. They’re tiny, they’re super light and several days into my trip, if I need a little pick me up, they’re easy to apply. When you open each individually wrapped packet, you’ll see a tiny almost baby wipe cloth inside. After washing my face, I just rub it all over and then add just a little moisturizer on top and head to bed. Easy as that!
The face wipes are meant for the face (they’re smaller and less concentrated), while…
…the larger body wipes are meant for the body. These are larger towels with more color. I can open a packet and use the one for my entire body. Easy as that!
Speaking of my toiletry bag, just a reminder that I use…
…this one here for EVERY TRIP and love it so very much!
Plus, I use…
…this makeup bag here when I travel in the 20″.
That’s it for this Valentine’s Day! I hope you have a wonderful day…and maybe get a little tan too 😉 .
See you tomorrow! xx
Taylor says
You got me hooked on the isle of paradise drops last year!! I’m very fair skin and one drop about every four days does the trick for me!
Elspeth Mizner says
Great tips for the winter months!
Have a great Valentine’s Day!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erika Slaughter says
A quick way to brighten my day is a little self tanner. And am a big fan of both products!
SS says
Awe .. I was looking through old pic of our kiddos and their cute little Valentine pix. They were so “squishy” Chubby little cheeks and hands and you were their Valentine… Awe!! Lol!!!
Rachel says
I love the tanning drops and bought them myself; now I know how to use them!! I also purchased the travel toiletry bag. I have read many of your packing tips but my toiletries bag always seems so full…maybe I need 2 (lol). How do you pack your toothbrush/paste, shampoo, conditioner, brushes, combs, etc.
Mix and Match Mama says
Small bottles and samples. I never pack full size of anything. If I need to spill over, I use these which I’ve blogged about before too. They’re also great for hairbands, band aids, etc. https://www.amazon.com/Packism-Cosmetic-Approved-Toiletry-Compliant/dp/B085Q17LSL/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3M9DD4CEB6E39&keywords=clear+toiletry+bags+for+traveling&qid=1676383138&sprefix=clear+toi%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNk0ySFZRQVdXVzVKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzI0OTEyMlc4OFdTUVBCQ0hVNiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzAyNjk0MkVZMFdTUldCUU9LUiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Rachel says
Thank you! I will pick these up for our next trip!
Marie Wyatt says
Do you keep a base toiletry bag packed at all times since you travel so much? Or do you start with an empty case before each trip??
Mix and Match Mama says
I do!! I don’t keep my makeup packed, but yes, I have a toiletry bag packed and stocked all the time.
Chaeli Ackerman says
Shay- do you rub the tanning drops into your neck? Or just your face? I’m worried I’ll look like a pumpkin on a stick lol lol
Mix and Match Mama says
You won’t! I do rub it into my neck and kind of feather it down there, but start small (1 or 2 drops!) and then see what you think.
Jennifer C. says
This is a really, really good tutorial!! I’ve been self-tanning off and on since my high school days in the 90s and still question how to do it well. 🤣 This post answered all the questions I had about your method and products (Type-As Unite!)! Truly, THANK YOU!
Mix and Match Mama says
We have to stick together 😉 .
Dina B says
Hi Shay,💗 I love the effects of self tanners but I usually do not like the smell.😩 Does the drops or body tanning products you recommend have an odor?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t either!! The face drops really don’t have any scent at all. I mean, it’s super, super faint. The mousse does have a scent, but I honestly don’t think it’s very strong. Some of the tanners, you can still smell the next day. Not this one.
Tammy Daly says
Do you have the medium or large toiletry bag?
Mix and Match Mama says
medium!
Erin says
Love the drops and have been using them for a little over a year at your recommendation. Just ordered the tanning mouse as well. I have been using the Jergens’s mousse with good success, but this one seems to have a better color and cheaper too! I have tried just about everything on the market as well, and just because they are more expensive, doesn’t mean they are better! Can’t wait to try it! This pale girl thanks you!
Susie Stern says
What spf do you use on your face?
Mix and Match Mama says
I use this exact product here: https://shopstyle.it/l/bSHfr
MelanieL says
I picked a sample size of Isle of Paradise from somewhere (Sephora?) a while back and I’ve never used it. After this post I decided to give it a try and oh my word, what was I waiting for?!? I’d say I’m pale with red undertones and 3 drops mixed with my extreme recovery cream gave me the perfect little natural looking tan the next morning! I’ve had so many compliments from my co-workers who had no idea I used it! Now my teens want to use it, guess I need to get the big jar, lol! Thanks again for giving a nudge for living my best life! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
YES, YES, YES!!!!! It’s amazing, right?!
Abbey Mueller says
Just bought a bottle of the Tanned AF. Can’t wait to give it a try. My teenage daughters couldn’t quick laughing after I pulled it out of the shipping box. Moments later I learned what the AF stood for!🤣😂😂
Mix and Match Mama says
This made me giggle!
beth says
Hi, when you use those tanning towel wipes how long does that tan last?
Have you found that with any of the products you mentioned the tan comes off in the pool/ocean? Planning a self-tan approach for an upcoming trip to mexico–trying to figure out what to bring and how often to plan on reapplying.
Thank you 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I think on “normal” days (i.e. not swimming or at the beach), it lasts about five days. I think if you’re in the water a ton, it will fade faster.
Lynnann Bourque says
Hi Shay,
Before you use the Tan af, do you exfoliate or shave your legs? I always shower with exfoliating gloves, but am curious if this would cause an irritation on newly shaved legs… I can’t wait to use these products!
Thank you! I love your blog and your family!🥰
Lynnann
Mix and Match Mama says
I shave every single day, so yes, I always have shaved legs when applying. I haven’t found any irritation at all!