Hi, my name is Trina and I’m a recovering tanning bed junkie.
I knew it was bad for me. But I just didn’t care. I was young and reckless. Everyone knows tan fat looks better than pale fat so I threw all caution to the wind and soaked up those ultraviolet rays.
Once I hit my thirties I started noticing things about my skin I didn’t like. Lines, wrinkles and sun spots, oh my.
There was no undoing the damage I had done, but I was swearing off those toxic beds for good. Next on the agenda, find a sunless tanner that didn’t make me streaky, orange, or stinky. You know what I’m talking about. That sunless tanner smell. It’s unmistakable.
I heard about Sun Laboratories through one of my favorite Youtube makeup gurus, Kandee Johnson. I wrote the company to ask if I might get a trio set of sunless tanner to test and review for the Chic Critique audience and they happily obliged.
Sun Laboratories Sunless Tanner trio set
Saturday morning I exfoliated really well. This is the key to a great sunless tanner application. Once I was squeaky clean and dried off I started applying the lotion in small sections. First my upper arms and shoulders, then my forearms. Next, one side of my chest, then the other. Then it was on to my neck and face.
Because the product is tinted, as I applied I was able to tell where the lotion was, if it was streaky or if I missed a spot. How many of you know how irritating it is to apply a sunless tanner only to discover hours later you have ugly streaks or spots of pale skin you missed? This product definitely helps eliminate that.
I also noticed as I applied that it had a lovely almond smell. I was really excited about this because every sunless tanner I’ve used has had a weird smell. My excitement did fade, however, only hours later as I caught a whiff of unmistakable sunless tanner smell. At least it smelled good going on.
It dried very quickly, in a few minutes time and over the next three hours my “tan” had intensified. I was quite pleased.
Sunday morning I decided to do another application. I repeated all steps but didn’t exfoliate since I had done it the previous day. Hours later, again my color had grown darker.
Hubby remarked how tan I looked. I was a happy girl.
Monday morning I used the tanning moisturizer from the set that helps prolong the color. Admittedly I was a little disappointed that it didn’t have the same almond smell as the lotion, but its certainly not a deal breaker.
You know why? Because the best part of this product is it’s PARABEN FREE and suitable for all skin types. Also, it’s cruelty free.
So I may not have found a sunless tanner that doesn’t leave me with that sunless tanner smell, but it does give me a great natural looking tan in a nontoxic, cruelty free way. And I’m lovin’ that.
untanned leg vs. sunless tanned arm
Did you know how hard it is to get a picture of your arms and legs in the same shot? Yeah I didn’t either…
sunless tanned face/neck
My face and arms are really not that different in color….the flash seemed to lighten my face some.
If you’re interested in this product the Sunless Tanner trio set in Ultra Dark (which is what I used) is on sale for $36.95 (which is $20 0ff regular price).
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary sunless tanner set from Sun Laboratories in exchange for an honest review. These are strictly my opinions about the product.
About Trina
Oooooh exciting! I LOVE sunless tanning products, but my husband always tells me that I am trading one bad thing (uv rays) for another (chemicals). Can’t wait to try this one!
Trina….I’m so excited you did this review! I found out last summer that I am now photosensitive, and allergic to the sun! Apparently it can happen to women once they reach their thirties, and boy did it hit me! I get little red bumps and very itchy if I’m in the sun too long, which breaks my heart, because I too love to be tan! Thanks, I’m heading over to buy my set now!
I have sworn off the tanning bed too and it makes me oh-so-sad, but like you, I’ve had to heed the call of getting old and all the wrinkles, sun-spots, etc. that go with it.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t fork out the bucks for this product since it has the “smell”, but your color looks great and that’s amazing after only 2 applications.
Great review!
THANK YOU!!!! I’m so excited about this. My brother in law is getting married in early May and I’m wearing a black dress which will make me look even WHITER than I already am. I’ve tried Jergen’s, Dove, Neutrogena, etc… and no matter what I do, they all turn a little orange. Thank you!!!
Also, I checked out your family’s Basement ministry online. Wow!!! I have such a heart for young people (drug addiction runs rampant among the teens in my hometown). I’m so thankful God has put people on earth to reach teens in this way.
I hadn’t heard the news about Layla Grace until I read your comment :(. Heartbreaking.
I hope this one works for you as well as it did me. Let me know how it goes!
{So glad you checked out the links on my personal blog regarding the Basement!}
Thanks Trina! I have been looking for a good sunless tanning lotion. I may have to check it out!
This is so great to know — I LOVE that it doesn’t have any parabens. That’s what has kept me away from sunless tanners in the past. I may give this one a try…
I’m so confused..I just looked up this product on amazon after hearing that it is paraben free. However, I looked at the ingredient list and it contains not only propylparaben but methylparaben!! How does that make it paraben free?? lol
Jenna, I was told it was so I’ve emailed the company to confirm. If there was an error, we’ll fix the post. Thanks for your comment!
I’ve always been scared to try a sunless tanner – but yours looks awesome!
Sunless tanners have come a long way since they were first introduced! If you want to start small, check out a lotion that builds color over several applications. You can find a few choices at your local drugstore. Then when you’re comfortable you can move on to the good stuff đ If toxins are something you are concerned with, make sure you check labels!
I was pretty good about quitting tanning but I hate how pale/fat I feel without a little glow… I need to get some of this immediately! I’ve got an event in 2 weeks and a nice tan would make me feel 100% better about myself!
I have been using this product since seeing it on Kandee’s blog but am concerned about using it on my face. I’m scared it will break me out. Did you notice any problems using this product on your face? Thanks!
To the ladies that have used this product. Do you have sun spots? Does this product cover the sun spots and don’t make them darker? I’ve desperately have been looking for a self-tanners that doesn’t turn sun spots darker. Thank You…
Jeanette~ I can’t vouch for that. But I think if you email the company they might be able to answer that. I found them extremely helpful.
Jeanette, Me too … if you come across one please post. Thanks đ
Thank You Regina for your feedback!! I am looking, and if you find anything please post as well!!! There has to be something out there đ
I, too, am looking for a self tanner that will blend in my age spots, not darken them. I hate to try any others…Looking forward to what you find out>
My skin breaks out from the self tanners I have tried!! Can you tell me why and if there is any hope for me!! I hate being white!!
Incredible points. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the great
work.