April 2, 2013

Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Body Tanner Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Body Tanner Summer 2013

Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Body Tanner is not for the likes of me. You’ll notice Summer 2013 will bring the normal range of body and face bronzers but I’ll typically be the one hiding away from them. On occasion I’ve spotted a bronzer or two I like but it is kinda rare I use them. I’m not one for daily bronzer application and I avoid the sun like I would the London plague.

However, I’ve come to realize that people really like reading and hearing about new ones so who I am to deny you? That’s why I decided to gingerly try out Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Body Tanner.

Here’s the thing you need patience when dealing with a product like Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Body Tanner ($26). For the best results you of course should exfoliate well. You don’t want flaky skin when you’re using a gel bronzer! A smooth, even surface for the gel to adhere to is the best policy as applying to rougher skin will result in an uneven, patchy bronzing experience.

Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Body Tanner

It’s cold enough that I could test this out on my legs several days without fear of turning orange or brown because honestly, the color is so intense I was scared I’d end up looking like that old lady in Something About Mary if I wasn’t careful!

This is a mineral copper complex that prolongs the tanning effect with aloe vera and vegetable derived emollients so it leaves skin feeling moisturized after use. You might want to A. use gloves to apply or B. be sure to wash your hands with soap after to avoid staining. I personally apply with my hands and just make sure I wash really well with hand soap after application to avoid the palms of my hands having a tanning effect, that wouldn’t be pretty right?

This has a delightful cherry almond scent and a gel-like consistency which absorbs easily into skin. At first it’s SUPER unappealing. The shade looks like mud brown! After I apply it it still gave off a mud brown finish. Once it absorbs fully you actually don’t see much of a bronze effect at all. It takes a few minutes to set so don’t slip your clothes on right away. It actually took a full 24 hours for me to see any color at all….oddly enough on my sister, who has a darker skin tone than my own, she saw results right away (we both tried it out) and it seemed to add depth to her natural skin tone and went a dark bronze.

Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Body Tanner Swatches

On my pasty legs it took a full 24 hours and another application to get a golden brown look. Actually, if I’m honest, it didn’t look half bad on my legs after it had time to settle. Basically the results are a very natural tan look.

Would I use it again?

Prob not. I like my pasty legs thanks very much! But those who desire a quick way to either deepen the color of their own legs, shoulders, arms, etc…or those who want a more natural tanned look this is an easy way to look like you spent a few hours in the sun but without risking the age factor to get that look.

And if you do spend time in the sun anyway to get that sunny glow? This will help prolong it.

It’s available now at www.bareescentuals.com as well as Sephora, Sephora.com, Ulta, and Ulta.com

Do you use self tanning gels?

Every try this?

Do share!

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Ashley

    That swatch was enough to make me never want to try this. Ever.

  • cas

    My mother just bought this, and she loves it. She is naturally olive toned though. Looks nice and natural. As for me… I already have a year round tan. Buahaha.

  • Jessica

    I have this and have used it on and off for a few years. It smells nice and for a day or 2 it gives me nice color but after that the color is completely gone. I find I have to use this one more often then other self tanners in order to keep the color and because of the price, that gets expensive. I’m pretty fair and always think I want to start using a self tanner but then realize it’s just too much work and end up giving up after a couple weeks!

  • LINDARRAGNAR

    I like my pasty legs too muse!
    I think for a future Halloween costume I will get a really nasty fake tan, just to say I’ve tried it once! 😉

  • Julissa

    Do you think this will melt off easily? Like does it transfer easily? I have uneven skintone. I have pale legs and pale chest but everywhere else is tanned. Which is annoying in the summer when I want to wear shorts or low cut shirt. It looks weird so I think this will be great for me in the summer.

    • the Muse

      once it set, I wore pants, and didn’t notice any transfer (light shade of beige pants). I didn’t wear in extreme heat though, it was mostly cool Spring days last week so not sure about really humid weather. Also I put my clothes on day after use, so you might want to sleep on it 24 hours just in case.

  • Blee

    Yes, I use them on my pasty white legs but only in the spring. Casper has to go! hehe:D

  • Nat

    My legs are beyond pasty – they are see-through; hello veins! 😀

  • melissa

    I’m a fake baker and supplement with sunless tanners and most importantly – LOL I live where the average temp is over 100 degrees for more than half the year. This product is probably one of my least favorites. Loreal makes a really great one in a can and the Ulta brand version is equally good.
    I found this one was too streaky and I didn’t like the scent. For the price, I could get 3 or 4 cans of the ulta brand on sale and be set for the season. I tend to lean towards spray tans (booth style). You can get a package at a local salon that will typically run roughly $12-$15 a tan and they last about 2 weeks. You can also groupon and sale site for them too.
    I fake bake in a bed because my eczema and skin conditions stay away with a good dose of uvb. I usually go 2-3 times a week. Not so much to brown but just because it works for me. I am generally happier when I tan too. Not sure why it impacts my mood it just does.
    Anyway, when I want more color than I use a self-tanner or spray tan. So thank you for stepping out of your pastieness to try this out for us.

  • Vail Valley Girl

    I have used the Faux Tan Sunless Tanner for a few years now. This appears to be repackaging.

    If it is the what I use now, I love it.
    I am very fair. Just two shades above albino. Yes, you need to be careful when applying it. I use a sugar scrub on my hands afterwards.
    Applying once or twice a week will do.

    If you are afraid of this being too dark, BE makes a between tanning, Faux Tan Body Moisturizer that is nice color for extreme pasty legs.

  • Sarah S.

    I wish people wouldn’t be so down on their pasty legs 😛 It’s just a skin color, people!

  • Alanna

    I LOVE my pale skin and legs. 🙂 I’ve had people point out my white legs like I wouldnt notice otherwise. I’m like “yeah, so….?” All the rest of my skin is the same color, so it’s not even like I have a two-tone effect lol.

  • Heather

    Tan works with the pigment in your skin and that is why darker people get better results. I’m unfortunately pale too and never get super dark even when I use the very dark options.

  • Lorri

    Worst self tanner ever used!! Just another promice of no streak and natural. Sorry just another say so company.. Save your money and time and find a good spray tan company and you won’t have these broken promices .. Don’t away your time.. Bad product ‘