Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tanning Liquid Review!

Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tanning Liquid

Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tanning Liquid ($25) is a fast-drying, fast-absorbing, dark self tanning liquid that is designed to be applied with the application mitt provided for a quick and easy tan. It's also transfer-resistant, so it won't stain your sheets or transfer onto your clothing if you decide to apply it in the morning and go about your day. It also doesn't have that nasty self-tanning, chemical scent - it is lightly fragranced with a tropical scent.

�No Artificial Preservatives �Paraben Free �Suitable for all skin types

I think just about every single one of us self-tanning addicts ran out and bought this stuff after Steph, SMLx0 on YouTube mentioned that it is her favorite self tanner. You can view her video review and application demo by clicking here.

I'm pretty much the self-tanning queen around here (well, I use to be anyway..) and I always use SUN Labs as my go-to self-tanner. I'd typically purchase a couple large (professional use) bottles, and it'd last me the full year with regular use. I venture out sometimes and try new ones, but I've always been pretty satisfied with SUN, so I didn't really care to look elsewhere.

Well I've gone on a self-tanning break for pretty much most of 2012 (the biggest break in 10 years!) and recently I've been slowly but surely getting back into the routine. 


I've been using Fake Bake Flawless now at least once a week for the past 3-4 months, and it's all I've been using.

It's a very dark brown liquid, which is great because you are able to see where it's been applied so you won't miss any areas.

Secondly, it doesn't smell like chemicals. It actually smells like coconut oil (which I happen to love) and is a huge plus in my book.

It's really simple to apply - packed with the self-tanner, you get a pair of gloves and a mitt. I never apply self tanner without a mitt, so I was really happy about not having to purchase one separately. For reference, I've purchased my mitts from Ulta for years (here) and they work great.

This particular mitt is not lined with plastic (like the Ulta mitts) so you'll have to wear the plastic gloves so the tanner won't bleed through the mitt onto your hands. The mitt is also ultra soft (like a plush cloth) rather than a sponge, so it does soak the product up a little bit. To avoid soaking up too much product, I like running the mitt under water and squeezing the excess water out, so it's the slightest bit damp. Then, I'll squirt the self-tanner on my skin and with circular motions, blend it with the sponge. I notice that dampening the mitt also helps the product move better across the skin. When it's dry, the product doesn't go very far.

For my face, I sometimes use the mitt, or I'll use a synthetic kabuki brush, and squirt one spray onto the brush and buff the product on my face.

I always apply self tanner to my hands and feet last, and I'll just lightly wipe the tops of my hands and feet with the sponge and then take a small squirt of lotion and work it into my hands and feet to make sure I get an even application that isn't too harsh. Then, I'll wipe in between my fingers and palms with a towel, as well as my feet.

I find that the product dries very quickly, and I can go to bed right away without having to wait forever for it to dry.

By the morning, I'm left with a bronzed-brown tan that doesn't at all look like it came from a bottle! I then hop in the bath and run water all over my body to rinse off the color guide. I'm left with a light tan that looks very natural. It gives off a hint of red-brown to my skin, which makes it look like I've actually been in the sun.

To achieve my desired darkness, I like applying the spray 2-3 times a week. It doesn't get me as dark as SUN, but regardless, I've really been enjoying the natural color and the overall performance of the product.

What I love the most about this product is the way that it fades. It's not difficult to remove, and it will not fade patchy. It fades like a real tan would.

I highly recommend this self tanner and will re-purchase when mine runs out!

Sorry, not a good photo, but here is what I'd look like after one application (around MAC NC30, naturally a NC15). 

What's your favorite self-tanner?

Ingredients list:  Water (Aqua), SD Alcohol 40-B, Dihydroxyacetone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Erythrulose, Tetrasodiuim EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 40 (Ci 16035), Coumarin.

The Round-Up

Pros:

• No chemical smell - the smell is very pleasant, like coconuts!
• Brown color guide, so you won't miss any areas of your body
• Dries quickly
• Fades evenly - no patchiness
• Isn't difficult to remove with exfoliation
• Doesn't look unnatural, and doesn't give me "self tanner hands"
• Good value, as it contains a pair of gloves and great quality-mitt

Cons:

• The bottle leaks and application can be a little messy (product usually not only mists my skin, but also my sink and floor) I like decanting a small amount in a travel bottle which works better.
• I wish so much color didn't come off in the shower - it takes a couple applications until I'm satisfied with the darkness.

Price: $25, ULTA.