Thinking I need a little color on my shoulders and legs before ds1’s wedding next weekend, but afraid of the orange-toned results I used to get years ago. Are these products better now? Loreal has towelettes and spray - which is better?
I haven’t used the L’oreal products, but I use the Jergens moisturizer with self tan on my legs. I get some color and no orange but that particular product is gradual color so I usually start applying daily about 4-5 days ahead. It’s best to exfoliate first so the skin is smooth. Also, be very careful to not apply to elbows, ankle and knees.
If you have the time and money it might be best to go to a salon where they will do this professionally.
I just tried st. tropez creme. It comes out of the tube white and you turn “tan.” The instant tanning foam looked a little dicey. Personally, I preferred the st. tropez over the jergens. Do it 2 days in a row asap and then you can scrub off any incidental streaking, etc before the big day. Use a loofa first and go lightly around toes and ankles.
The L’oreal towel things worked for me (I am very fair skinned) and they fade pretty quickly. So you could try and in two days you’d be mostly tan free.
For a special day like this, I’d let a pro salon do it…
A fair amount of tanning salons in my area are found on Groupon. I tried out well before D’s wedding, so I knew how tan I wanted to be…
I had never used one before until last summer. I saw my friend at the pool and asked how her legs were tanned. She told me she buys the Lancome tanner. I rant out and bought it, it’s a little pricey at $43, but it is wonderful. No orange, just a beautiful tan, and we have completely different skin tones. It lasts about 5 to 7 days on me. It’s on sale right now. Thanks for the post as I need some and am out!
I always do a scrub first. I also just use it in my legs. I get the scrub at CVS.
I have not used it, but I have friends who swear by the Mary Kay self tanner. They say it does not turn orange and does not have that odor that most of them have.
I will be the lone dissenter. I have tried numerous self-tanners, but if you have any actinic keratoses (age spots) or other sun damage from previous sun abuse, those soak up the product first. Honestly, I’d rather just get a little natural color when possible,even though it isn’t the healthiest thing.
Well, I’d go for any product over a tanning bed or UV exposure, myself. Honestly tho I get more than enough exposure just living in a sunny ares.
Since D and I have very sensitive skin, I’d be sure to test the product on a patch of skin for 24 hours before broadly applying it.
I use the Jergens lotion, or the store brand equivalent. I have only ever put it on my legs, though. You can put it on your knees and ankles, you just rub it into your lower shin and calf really well first and when your hands still have a little bit of the lotion on them, then you rub that into the knees and ankle or top of the foot. At least that works well for me. If you are doing your shoulders too I would get it done at a salon. You don’t have much time to experiment before next weekend. Have a great time at the wedding, whatever color you end up before then 
!
Call me a complete dissenter, but I would rather wear pants or a maxi dress than shave my legs or use any questionable product or harmful rays on my biggest organ - my skin.
I’m not a leg shaver. I think I tried it once and decided never again. I am naturally somewhat tanned and have never tried any of these products or a tanning salon, so find all of this fascinating.
I’m very cautious about what I put on my skin as I hate getting hives and worse. Mostly, D and I stick with trued and true regular moisturizers recommended by the dermatologist and leave it at that.
Funny - my daughter just mentioned wanting to get a salon spray tan before prom.
Any tips on that? She is Chinese, so I don’t know if the natural tone of her skin would complicate matters.
When I went through the bout of hair loss almost 3 years ago (most came back on my head thank goodness), I lost it on my legs and almost all on my arms and underarms too). It’s wonderful not to have to shave my legs anymore, or bleach my arm hair in the summer. But why oh why…didn’t it stop growing above my lip??? Threading, waxing, plucking…so sick of it!
As a skin cancer survivor, I agree with @BunsenBurner. My dermatologist saved my life, and she forbids any products like this.
OP - I hope this doesn’t sound harsh, but may I suggest that makeup/concealer can be applied to shoulders and legs if you’re terribly concerned that people will be looking at you on your S and DIL’s wedding day.
Why does she forbid tanners?
Because of the problems/reactions she has dealt with. If these products are sold OTC directly to the public, the FPLA requires an ingredient list. Several of the ingredient lists contain warnings about potential side effects, including rashes, etc, which can aggravate existing damage to skin. Additionally, these products usually do not contain sunscreen or sunblock, and in practice, patients are less likely to apply sunblock after these products have been used.
She prefers her patients to only apply sunblock if the skin will be exposed.
And besides, as her poster in the lobby reminds everyone, skin is beautiful in all its natural colors. 
You may want to try brushing a bronzer on your shoulders and legs.