Fake tans

Julephenia

So, I'm in a show this summer where my director wants me to be tan. (The fun part is that he's known me for 5 years, and still doesn't understand the level of Pale I reach. I've sunburned in England... I don't tan. I burn.)

I am attempting to be outside with sunscreen on, just to give myself some outside, vitamin D healthy time, but that's not going to get me anywhere beyond- Hey, look, sh'es not bright white!

I have pretty sensitive skin, and I've never used fake tanning stuff before. What brands do you reccommend... and exactly how do I use them?

TIA!

Edited because "behind" and "beyond" mean totally different things.

uppereastgirl

How much time do you have?  I'm an idiot with no attention span, so I can't do anything that requires even application.  So for me gradual self-tanners are best.  I really like Jergens Natural Glow, particularly the foam (because it smells much less).  There's an express version (that is not foam) if you need to do it more quickly.  I also like the lotion, but it has more of a smell.

With those, you just apply them all over every day, wash your hands afterwards, let it dry before you put on clothes, and after a few days of use you'll have color.  Regular self-tanners scare me too much so I don't know the rules for them (I think you're supposed to avoid elbows and knees and stuff because self-tanner can accumulate there, leading to too much color in those spots.

Or you could get a spray tan.

Julephenia

I need to be tan by the beginning of August. I would like to avoid spending a ton of money on a spray tan... this is one of those shows that don't make any money. (Free park shows in NNJ... I will provide a link to info when I get it.)

Huh. I should probably take a gander at the supermarket and Vitamin Shoppe, shouldn't I?

Shand18

I second the Jergens self-tanners, and I agree with the foam smelling less.  You can buy it at any drugstore or more grocery stores, even.  Probably for around $8.  I use it all the time, and just be careful to clean your hands, especially your fingernails really well after applying it.  If I forget, I get a gross orangeish ring all around my nails and cuticles. 

Karma01

I did spray tanning twice this year. I went to Quickglow in Morristown and loved it, it was very natural looking on me. The person actually airbrushes you and it is not a booth. When I use a lotion it looks fake on me. Maybe find a spray tan place by you to try out

akmackay

How long does the show run for? Is it a one weekend thing? If it is, I'd do spray tanning. That way you don't have to worry about it until the week before.

[Deleted User]

Jergens! it's so gradual and to get streaks you'd have to actually try to avoid the same spots every day.

sk2342

i think i have tried every possible tanner on the market lol... i too love quickglow in morristown if i have the time (and $) to get a nice prof spray tan. otherwise at home stuff works just as well! if you are very pale and a newbie to the tanning world i would suggest using the gradual jergen lotion tanners that many others have recomended above. its very easy and it develops color in a few weeks.. but it you get adventurous buy the SPRAY tanners. in my opinion they are the most fool proof in comparison to the gel, foam, or lotion ones. the spray is easy to angle in hard to rech places and as long as you keep a light continual spray as you cover our boday it should be streak free. Start by applying a light mist and letting it dry.. see how you skin takes then repeat the next night if necessary. I also do it at night because i can see the color change right when i wake up the next day. if i do it during the day i usually don't notice the difference as quick and i wind up washing my hands and that removes the color.... good luck!!

my fav inexpensive spray tan u can buy at CVS or target etc...
www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?skuId=309943&productId=309943&WT.mc_id=Shopping_Feed_Products_Google_Free_Listing" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','','6','AFQjCNEFnvRni-DNDjvSDdloWb33FM4kIg','hrpoRPh6wVYf8PIgsbhJUA','0CDYQgwgwBQ')">Neutrogena Micromist Tanning

kasabby

I agree with the other girls--the Jergens stuff is great! The foam is the best!

Julephenia

Sounds like I'm going to try the Jergens!

The show runs most of the month, so I need something that will stick around, but fade eventually. I LIKE being pale, but when the father of my character is being played by an African-American, I need to at least look like my family isn't 100% Western European.

Julephenia

Is there a big difference between the foam and the cream? My local supermarket only had the foam for medium to dark skin tones, but had the cream in fair... I will stop by a CVS or a Walgreens to take a look for the foam in fair tomorrow if there's a major difference.