Monday, September 17, 2012

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.

35 comments:

  1. I wish it was darker than that, but I still want to try it once I use up a couple of my other self tanners! lol

    Right now I use Xen-Tan mousse, which is quite nice! But my favorite is still St. Tropez mousse. I like St Moriz too, love the color but it doesn't fade evenly. Oh and I have a bottle of the new St. Tropez dark mousse, but I haven't tried it yet! I'm trying really hard to finish my Xen-Tan before I try something else. lol

    Did you try the Sun Labs mousse? I used the lotion a couple of years ago, but I much prefer a mousse texture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With this tanner I find that the number of sprays that I use per application area controls how deep the color with go. For instance, if you usually use 2 squirts per calf, try 4-5. You get much more of a "deep" color rather than a more subtle tan. Still looks just as great and lasts just as long. I actually love how by using this technique you can control the level of darkness.

      Delete
  2. I love this self tanner but i find i have to use it 2-3 times a week to maintain a tan. Ive been lazy keeping up with it but im normally like nc20 and at max i have been nc25-27 with it. I'll have to try sun labs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the review! I was just thinking of the fake bake today :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm SO happy you made this review! I've heard good things about this product, and I've been wanting to try it out myself for some time now. Now I'm sure I will!
    Also, where can I buy the Sun Labs self tanner? If you know an online store from UK or something, let me know o:

    ReplyDelete
  5. This has been my go-to self-tanner since Steph's video lol. I love everything about this. I've gone through 3 bottles already lol I need to stock up on more...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I use to be scared of liquid self tanners but after washing the video you linked in your review, it just looks so easy! I'm glad you like this product, I think I will have to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been wanting to try this. Mainly on my face during the winter but I'm worried that it will cause a break out. Do you have issues with break outs from self tanner on your face?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I much rather prefer Clarins Auto Bronzant Intense Self Bronzing Tint - it is BY FAR the best self tanner for the face. Fake Bake can cause a pimple here and there, but Clarins is the only one I've ever tried that hasn't done that. And, the lasting power, color is great. Highly recommend. I mostly recommend Fake Bake for the body.

      Delete
    2. Hi Natalie! Do you use the regular version or the darker one, Intense bronze? I'm looking for a dark self tanner that I wouldn't need to apply every night on my face!

      Delete
  8. I would have never bought this without reading your review. And your tips are the reason I love this product & keep using it. Its cheaper and way better for you than the tanning bed (plus less time. I love when you review products from Ulta because we have at store but no Sephora. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Really it's a very good review! I did the biggest mistake in the month of September 2012. I decided to put false lashes that lasted 3 to 4 weeks, at that time I was in love with my fake lashes and got many compliments I went for refills faithfully. But when I decided to go back to my real lashes, I cried for days. My real lashes some of the hairs had fallen out and I had gaps, also my real lashes were shorter than before, they looked awful. A friend recommends xlash eyelash serum from here http://www.xlash.net/ and I used faithfully for 3 weeks....The results are fantastic!!! To be very honest I didn't think it was going to work for me, because my lashes were awful. Its been 3 months I've been using this eyelash serum and my lashes are longer, fuller and it actually grew and no more Gaps! yes!!!! this serum works. I am now wearing mascara and my lashes looks great. Just today I had compliments on them. Thanks xlash for this great product.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I highly recommend to buy this product and get enormous benefits from it. click here

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, I just desired to give you quick thumbs up on your work, really fantastic blog! building business credit fast

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's good that it's paraben free

    ReplyDelete
  14. Really it's a very good review! I did the biggest mistake in the month of September 2012. I decided to put false lashes that lasted 3 to 4 weeks, at that time I was in love with my fake lashes and got many compliments I went for refills faithfully. But when I decided to go back to my real lashes, I cried for days. My real lashes some of the hairs had fallen out and I had gaps, also my real lashes were shorter than before, they looked awful. A friend recommends xlash eyelash serum from here http://www.xlash.net/ and I used faithfully for 3 weeks....The results are fantastic!!! To be very honest I didn't think it was going to work for me, because my lashes were awful. Its been 3 months I've been using this eyelash serum and my lashes are longer, fuller and it actually grew and no more Gaps! yes!!!! this serum works. I am now wearing mascara and my lashes looks great. Just today I had compliments on them. Thanks xlash for this great product.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Pleasant effort, very edifying, this would help me to complete my task. Thanks for sharing it with us keep it up.
    personal loans

    ReplyDelete
  16. I’m impressed with the special and informative contents that you just offer in such short timing.whole life ins

    ReplyDelete
  17. Best thing is you can tan with it! Dark much quicker and last longer!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this stuff. The scent is great, and I really like the mitt. I don't have streaks and the color looks real.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love this stuff. The scent is great, and I really like the mitt. I don't have streaks and the color looks real.

    ReplyDelete