Get your tan on! Tips, tricks and best self tanners

I own a tanning bed and spent a month tanning before my vacation to Texas but my tan was a little more uneven than I wanted and I decided that I really wanted to try my hand at using self-tanners, so I found some good ones. Of course, I used drugstore brand, because this was something I had never really done before and I didn't want to waste my vacation money on expensive brands or a salon booth spray tan. Plus, I surely won't let an actual person spray me down. No scarring others in my pursuit of a good tan.
So here are my tips and tricks of using self tanners.
I started off by reading some reviews and then selected three. The first one I already blogged about: L'Oreal Sublime Bronze self-tanning mist. If you missed that post just know that unless you are really dark with warm undertones this probably won't work for you unless you want a job at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. If so, then by all means go for it.
The second two products are considered lotions and I bought them  at the same time. One is a gradual tanner while the other is pretty much an instant tanner so comparing them seems unfair so I will just talk about the good and bad of both. 

I tried Banana Boat's Summer Color Self-tanning lotion in Light/Medium. They also make it in a Dark. I probably could have used it, but I was going for subtle and natural. All in all this product will give you the best natural color. It is tinted and almost starts working instantly so it is easy to apply. It has self-adjusting color so you just put it on at night and wake up with a gorgeous tan. One thing I did not know before using a self-tanner is to exfoliate, shave and moisturize. Doing all of these things will improve the quality of your tan. I started by applying lotion on thighs, mid-calves, stomach, mid-chest, and upper arms. That's where I started with my healthy "globs" of lotion and then I worked the lotion in circular motion around, adding and covering areas, while making sure my elbows, knees, and feet were not over covered with lotion. I washed my hands afterward with exfoliating scrub and/ or baking soda to remove tanner from palms.
My overall review of Banana Boat's tanner is that it works great. Banana Boat has been around for a long time so they make good stuff. It only cost around $6 so you cannot beat the cost. My one complaint, and it is one I did not read about, is that it takes forever to dry. So don't think you can slap it on right before bed and then just instantly jump into bed because it won't work out for you. It is a long process of drying. It feels a little tacky to touch for at least an hour. Also, my husband complained about how I felt greasy and oily. He did not like the feel this product left. It didn't smell too bad but it did have a smell, but it was one that went away with one shower as did the greasiness. Even though this product isn't advertised as a gradual tanner, the more you apply, the darker you get. Oh and it fades away with dignity and grace unlike the Sublime Bronze stuff. So good news, no looking like a leopard here.

The last product I tried is Jergens Natural Glow. It is a gradual tanner and it is pretty much awesome. It looks like a lotion, goes on like a lotion, dries fast and is very subtle. In fact, most of you white girls looking for a fast tan might not like it because it is so subtle. It would take time to build your tan with this product alone. But if you are looking for something that just improves the look of your skin while giving a soft glow, this is great. Also, Jergens improved the odor so no funky smells. I must admit I didn't build my tan with this so I am not sure if with multiple coats it would turn you orange or not. It seemed to have a different hue than Banana Boat, which was perfect for my skin tone, but I still think it looked really natural at least with a max of two coats which is what I tried.
Lastly, let's say one of these products doesn't work for you or let's say you try a totally different one and you look like an Oompa Loompa, do not panic. There is a way to fix or undo most of the damage.
Here is what you will need: exfoliating buffer, baking soda, Epsom salt, Olay Daily Exfoliating Body Wash, and Tree Hut's Shea Sugar body scrub. I am not sure if all items are necessary but I used them all. First, run a warm bath with about two cups Epsom salt added to it. I also added BeautiControls Detox bath soak. I don't think this is necessary to remove the tan but it smells good and is relaxing. I started by soaking awhile, just laying back and relaxing. After about 15 minutes, I started adding baking soda to my areas of biggest concern. I let it sit where I could and scrubbed it with the buffer. I scrubbed and soaked, using handfuls of baking soda and the buffer for thirty minutes or until satisfied with removal. Last I scrubbed down with the Tree Huts Shea Sugar scrub. It smells WONDERFUL and costs less than $5. By the way, at this point your buffer will be on its last leg and your tub will look gross!! I just scrubbed the tub while I was in there. Lastly, I shaved, and then used the Olay Daily Exfoliating body wash in the shower. I applied I love Cosmetic's "I love coconuts & cream" and my skin felt heavenly. In fact, even if you don't have a botched tan, I would still recommend this routine just to remove dry dead skin cells and make your skin soft and pretty. It works amazingly and you can get all the products listed (aside from the BeautiControl) at Wal-Mart.