Bondi Sands Dark Self Tanning Foam - Flawless, Streak-Free Tan with Aloe & Coconut - 6.76 oz

I am fair-skinned and stay out of the sun, but I do like to get some color during the spring and summer months. Enter self-tanner. I have tried a lot over the years with mixed results.I tried the Bondi Sands Self-Tanning foam based on a lot of positive reviews. I have only used it a couple of times, but I really like it. Self-tanners often have an off-putting smell, but Bondi Sands disguises it a bit with a coconut scent—not unpleasant. The color looks natural and it lasts for 5-7 days before fading.With self-tanners, the application makes a big difference. If it's useful for anyone, my process is: Day before:• Exfoliate. Pay particular attention to elbows, knees and ankles, where the skin is drier and thicker and tends to absorb more colorDay of:• Use a thick moisturizer, like a body balm, on elbows, knees and ankles.• Put on disposable plastic gloves. I combine the tanning foam with moisturizing lotion (Nivea, or whatever) dispensing equal amounts of each in my gloved palm, and then mixing them together there before applying. This dilutes the tanning foam a little, but it's easier to spread and avoid streaking.• As you apply tanner to your arms, legs, etc., use a circular motion to blend. I have used a smidge on my face blended with sunscreen first. I get a hint of color, which is all I want.• After 5 minutes or so, I often do another light application to my calves.• Be patient. Let it process 6-8 hours before showering.I have slept in self-tanner, but I don't recommend it. I don't like the way it feels ( a little tacky because I use moisturizer with it), but more bothersome, the smell lingers on the sheets. If your schedule permits, apply it in the morning and rinse it off at the end of the day.Happy (fake) tanning. 😎
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***update***I’ve been using this now for over 6 months and still love it! I reapply every five days, but only one coat, as I still have color from before. I also don’t exfoliate every time, just every other, and do use a moisturizing body wash every time I shower, with or w/o intent of using the self tanner.My face and hands do lighten faster, but I’m assuming that’s because I wash my face and hand multiple times a day. So, I bought a daily moisturizer from bondi sands, called “gradual tanning milk” to use on my hands/face in between doing my whole body (I’ll add a pic of the moisturizer above, if you want to try it).It goes well over the self tanner and blends nicely with it. I don’t use it everyday though, just when I notice my face/hands are getting lighter then the rest of me, so once or twice in between full applications.After doing a full application, I wait a few minutes (don’t know how long, as I usually clean out my shower, and wipe down my bathroom, while I wait), before dressing. I have a dedicated pair of pajama pants, socks and a hoodie, that I wear after applying now. I wait at least 6 hours, then hop in the shower to rinse off (not wash, just rinse). Then I’m good for another 5-6 days.Of course, there was more then once where I didn’t apply for weeks. I kept color for about 7 days, before I noticed my toes turning orange. Whenever this has happened though, I made sure to exfoliate, use no moisturizers (even a different body wash) and did the two coats, 30 minutes apart (pretty much the same thing I did the first time I used it).(all pics above are the difference in my skin, from w/o sun-using this in dark. Unfortunately they don’t upload in order, so each is marked).(Hopefully) the last one (might not be the last) was snapped quickly this morning, day 4 after using this product (no new application). Wasn't planning on sharing, so didn't even check the quality of the photo when I took it..so sorry. BUT, you can still see my skin, which is what's important.All are added, because, when I first started my "I'm going to see if I can find a self tanner", I was upset by the before photos in reviews, not giving ANY background on the skin type, or how much sun exposure they had before using. So, I found the photos kind of useless. This way, when reading my review, you can SEE the difference I am talking about.Need to start with I bought the dark. Not because I am naturally dark, but because I was trying to get one that wouldn't have that "sun-kissed glow" crap, because I turn ORANGE. Even w/professional spray tans.skin color backstory:I'm mixed, Native American and white (don't let the eyes fool you, I have Waardenburgs syndrome, so I don't have melanin in my eyes. Otherwise they would be brown. I make jokes all the time about how I'm to brown to be white, but to white to be brown.Unfortunately, since my skin went completely unprotected all throughout my adolescence and in to young adult, I was always VERY dark. Add to that, my constant exfoliating and moisturizing of my skin, due to extreme dry skin issues...yeah, I soaked in sun.So, when I saw my first dermatologist, around 22 years old (for my dry skin, btw, not my skin color, but obviously it was brought up, since the light colored eyes make it look like I am not mixed, but rather a fake and bake...), and he told me that my UV exposure from the past, could already lead to cancer down the road.Needless to say, I took action! Every morning, I started putting on spf 50 spf, when I moisturized, and again around 1pm, (when I moisturized my second time), every day. Even if I didn't plan to go anywhere. Because I didn't want to risk my skin being exposed because I had to run out.Still, I tan, even with the spf. Just not as dark as I did before. Obviously, from Oct-Mar, I would definitely get lighter, but I’d have my "winter tan", face/neck and hands would be tan. The rest of me, however, would be tinged with yellow. (One of the pics is from the fall of 2019, so my regular sun exposure, pre covid, with spf 50).However, if I was locked up away from the sun, which has happened a few times in my adult life...once during a pregnancy, I stayed in the hospital for almost 2 months before the baby was born, which is what I have pictured, above (can't find any other photos of my skin completely unexposed that show the yellow tint my skin takes on w/any sun exposure.Since 2020, I’ve been working from home and by the time Im done, sun is down. Unfortunately, when my skin turns yellow, it becomes extremely noticeable and people assume I'm sick…Since I am locked up, I have gone back to my jaundice colored skin. Now, over the years, I have tried of self tanners in the past. First was a professional spray tan and I went oompa loompa orange (mid-late 2000's). Didn't try again, until jergens came out with their daily use moisturizer/tanning lotion (think its called daily glow, or natural glow..not sure).Orange again...Didn't even look at a self tanner again, until Oct...