I did a post a while back on my fake tanning routine, and now I've given this tan a run through and feel like I can properly review it for you. So here goes nothing.

I originally picked it up because it said "Compare to St. Tropez" on the bottle, and the packaging is really nice. I swear to God I'm a marketer's dream (which is ironic since that's what I'm studying... anyway). Last summer I raved about Banana Boat's Sunless Tanning Spray, but I think that Equate might take the place as far as holy grail status goes.

This applies with a tinge of color which I love because it makes it easier to see spots you've been over, and it makes it easier to see where you still need to rub product in (if I didn't mention it in my routine, I spray, rub in, and repeat until I think I've got a good coverage going). It's a green based tan (very similar to St. Tropez and other high end brands) so you don't look orange at all, which is obviously a huge plus. I've found it applies quite well as a face tan too, when first sprayed into hands and then put onto the face. *Disclaimer: This is not formulated to be a face tanner. However, I do not have sensitive skin and have done this with all my other spray tans as well. Take that advice with a grain of salt.* Within the first two applications, I haven't noticed a whole lot of streaking or patchy-ness. A few here and there in the usual trouble spots (knees, elbows, ankles) but this is quickly remedied with a quick spot spray and some lotion. For now, I don't think I'll go much darker than what the tan has shown to be now (2 applications, 3 days apart) as it develops to be quite dark even after one application. Or maybe that's just me with my ghost skin...

Downfalls of this tan... First off: it's a messy application. I would definitely advise you to use this in the bath tub/shower area so you can just rinse it down after because it will get everywhere. Secondly, you will definitely smell like fake tan - for at least 48 hours. I've found that that's the stretch time, after showering a second time after application I don't notice it anymore.

Other than that, I don't have any complaints about this tan. It's hard out here for a girl like me (aka pale and always streaking with any other tan I've tried) to find a good fake tan. Now that I've got two on rotation, I'd say I'm in pretty good shape for the upcoming seasons.

Have you tried this tan? What did you think?

xx

Tessa

First off, let me apologize for being an absolute shit blogger these last two weeks. My life is insanity, so it happens. And I'm sorry that I've failed at my New Year's Resolution for this blog but hey, new week and we're back on track. Now on to the real post....

When you're as pale as a ghost (I've only mentioned it about 500 times, right?), fake tanning is really your only option to catch up with those who actually have pigment in their skin. I know last summer I raved about the Banana Boat spray tan option, but I recently picked up a new choice and we'll see how it goes. In the meantime while we wait on my evaluation of that, I'll give you the rundown on my full fake tanning routine.

PREP
    Well let's just start with the obvious here: I always shower before applying a fresh tan. I know some people like to wait, but I'm a morning shower person, thus this gives my tan ample time to develop before I wash it off the next day. I also like to exfoliate for a couple days leading up to tanning, and usually shave my legs the day of because (1) I'm super lazy when it comes to shaving my legs, (2) your tan will fade the next time you shave and (3) it's an extra step of exfoliation to ensure that my skin is fully prepared to take on a spray tan. My current go-to exfoliator is Soap & Glory's Scrub of Your Life - it's foaming so it's not too harsh, but still delivers great results. Not to mention it smells really good. I've also been a fan of Tree Hut's offerings in the past. [Soap & Glory Scrub of Your Life not pictured, because I am a terrible blogger].

SPRAY
     I don't know how much detail I need to go into here. It's pretty self evident I think. My all-time holy grail spray tan is Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Mist. My only complaint about this product is the smell, it says citrus but it's not great and it also lingers around for a while. Other than that it delivers great color and I've never had a single problem with streaking. However, a new one caught my eye when I went to pick up a new bottle for the upcoming season (because I'm realizing that my skin is as white as my Vans and it's not a cute look). I mostly bought it because it said it compares to St. Tropez, which I've somehow held off trying thus far. Anyway, it's Equate's (Walmart) version of their spray tan, but they also offer a mousse and a lotion, which may be tested later depending on how well I like this stuff.

MAINTAIN
     Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I can't say it enough. If you want your tan to last, the best way to maintain it is to moisturize, and not exfoliate but I think that goes without saying. I'm the laziest person when it comes to moisturizing, so it takes a lot for me to actually follow through with this step on a daily basis. Some of my favorite in my line up are Soap & Glory's The Righteous Body Butter, Jergen's Original Formula in the cherry almond scent, and pretty much anything from Bath & Body Works.

If you have any recommendations, I'm definitely open to them. Do you have a tanning routine? What's in your line up?

xx

Tessa

Hello there!

So I've been trying to save some products that I've used up in the past few months to show you guys and give you a mini-review/overview of my opinion. This is definitely not everything I've used up, just things I've remembered to save! There's no method to my madness here, I'm just going for it.

Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist
So I'm pretty sure we've all talked about this enough that I don't really need to go into how much I love this stuff. I've gone through several cans this summer and I tend to go through them pretty quickly, which can get expensive even though it has a lower price tag. Lately, I've gotten lazy and haven't been applying it so I'm back to my normal pasty self. But this is the only drugstore self tanner that I've found that doesn't streak with me and allows me to get a deep tan without going orange. So obviously, 10/10 would recommend. 5 gold stars. Thank you, Banana Boat. 

Tresemmé Platinum Strength Renewing Complex Deep Conditioning Treatment
This conditioner I picked up on one of my many Target runs in my college town (they happened a lot because I was always avoiding studying or something). I enjoyed this product, though I probably won't repurchase. It claimed to repair 2 years of damage in 5 treatments. I used this once or twice a week for about 3 months and definitely did not notice that big of a difference in my hair. I recently picked up Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle and can tell you in one use of that I've noticed a difference, and especially between the two products. For the price point it's not a bad product, but I think you can find better for about the same. 

Suave Kids Detangling Spray
I can not live without this. It's a constant staple in my hair care routine. I have really fine hair, and a lot of it, so it knots up really easily. I can't ever get a comb through it after I shower if I don't have this. Yes, I realize it's a kid's product. But why would I spend $5 on a detangler from another line when I can get this gem for less than $2? Also it smells like green apples. So that doesn't hurt.

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo for Long Hair
It took me a really long time to use up this shampoo because it sat in my shower at home forever while I was away at school and since I got back I finally got around to using it up. I love Herbal Essences products (clearly, I have three of them on here). The Long Term Relationship line from them is one of my favorites because not only does it smell fantastic, but it's one of the lines that I actually can see a difference in my hair when I'm using it. It's smoother and shinier and feels healthier. I'm not 100% that their products are actually the best for your hair, but I do enjoy using them and they're at a good price point. 

Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Conditioner
This is one product from Herbal Essences I wasn't very impressed with. Maybe it's because I didn't use the shampoo and conditioner from the line together but I wasn't very happy with this conditioner. It didn't give my hair any body which is something I definitely strive for since my hair usually lays flat. In the summer I don't ever blow dry it so I really look for products that I can use to add volume that don't need a blow dryer (I have serums and such that I use in the colder months when I do blow dry my hair) and this did not fit the bill. 

Herbal Essences Honey, I'm Strong Strengthening Serum
I know I just said how much I love Herbal Essences, but this is another disappointing product to me. I bought it on a whim because I do color my hair on a semi-regular basis and in the winter months I do use a lot of heat on it (blow drying almost daily, curling irons, etc.) and this product claimed to help strengthen your hair against styling damage, but again, I didn't notice a big difference between days when I used this product and days when I didn't. The honey and apricot smell was quite nice, but I think I would rather invest a little more money in protecting my hair from damage. 

Bath & Body Works Vanilla-Tini Shower Gel
Nothing very exciting to report here, just some body wash. I constantly go back to Bath & Body Works shower gel after using other brands because I find nothing lathers quite as nicely as their line does and their range of scents is to die for. I believe this was a limited edition during the holidays but I think they bring it back around every year. I can't even describe to you how good this smells but according to the back of the bottle it's fresh vanilla, coconut and lemon zest. Yum. 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
I'm almost positive you're sick of hearing me talk about this. I think I'm even sick of hearing me talk about this. But yes, I have used up another bottle of Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish. I'll save you my usually endless rant and just say that if you're on the fence about this product for whatever reason, give it a shot. The standard 3.3 fl oz bottle lasts me around 3 months, so in all reality the higher price tag isn't all that bad, and especially for what you get. 

xx
Tessa

   

     Hello everyone, I know this is an insanely late post but YouTube decided to be a pain in my ass today. Anyhow, I decided to stuff all of my recent purchases into a video. So for your viewing pleasure (?) my first (poorly attempted) haul. Hope you all enjoy and have a great start to your weeks!

xx
Rachel

     There have been a lot of changes in May; the major one including my hair! I had about 8 inches cut off (donated to Locks of Love, of course) and I had it lightened...a lot. With that being said, my first May favorite is a hair product.



1. Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes toning shampoo and conditioner