I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone that I’m super pale. Or maybe it is surprising, considering the amount of times in my life I’ve had someone point out “wow, you’re so pale!” or “oh my gosh, your skin is so fair!” as if I didn’t already know, haha. I’ve spent a large portion of my life wishing I would magically wake up one day tanned (and yes, I do know having fair skin is all fine and dandy- I just like the look of a healthy tan, too) and thanks to the creation of self tanners, I can do just that!
Of course, self tanners are nothing new- but there are ALWAYS new self tanners. The formulas are always improving. I think back to the first time I ever saw a self tanner, and it was when I was like 12 and my mom had bought a bottle for a wedding we were going to. It was a dual sided bottle that dispersed a lotion and a tanning agent at the same time from separate tubes when you squeezed the bottle. It was weird. And I’m pretty sure it made her totally orange, so there’s that, haha. Self tanners have come a LONG way and I have a few favorites that don’t make my pale little self orange at all.
My newest favorite is the Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion. Upon first getting this to try out, I had never heard of the brand. Turns out, their product formulas are packaged with organic botanicals and natural ingredients which are accredited by the Soil Association. They’re also paraben, sulfate, phthalate, GMO, alcohol and fragrance-free. Sounds pretty good to me!
How did the Self Tanning Gradual Lotion work, though? AMAZINGLY. I was totally under the impression that because the name had gradual in it, this would be a tan that would slowly build up over a week or so of use. I applied this later in the afternoon, and the next morning- much to my surprise- I woke up a bronzed goddess! I wasn’t expecting this to have developed so much overnight, because as I mentioned before- I was totally under the impression that it was going to build up after a few uses. The picture below is after a single application, and taken in the same light to get the best before/after comparison possible.
The tan looked SO natural (which can be hard to come by when you’re super pale like me) and it didn’t build up orange in the dry/weirdly shaped spots that it usually does when I use other tanners (ie- elbows, knees, ankles). I was SO impressed, honestly. My tan lasted about a week and faded very nicely. When I got my nails done earlier last week, the ladies complimented how nicely tanned I looked! They were also impressed when I told them it was a fake tan ;)
So, a little on the actual product and application… it goes on clear and like a lotion, which I found a bit scary because I didn’t have the color guides to show me where I’d already applied. I used my St Tropez mitt to apply this and just rubbed everything in as if I was applying a body lotion, and I guess it worked out pretty well because I only ended up missing a random patch at the very top of my leg. I mixed a little bit of this with a facial moisturizer and put it on my face as well, and that didn’t break me out or cause irritation to my usually sensitive skin. It doesn’t have that gross, strong self-tan scent that a lot of self tanners do, and the barely-there scent that it does have didn’t stick to my skin for the whole length of the tan.
All in all, I am in love with this self tanner. I think this will probably be my go-to this summer, because while application was a little scary with no color guides, it came out super even and it was very moisturizing. For me, the color it gave was the perfect amount of tan for my pale self, but for my friends who aren’t quite so pale, this may be a bit light for you. Vita Liberata also offers a tanning mousse and lotion that come in fair/medium/dark options (that also claim to last 2-3 weeks… ummmm, yes please!) if you are wanting something darker than what the Self Tanning Gradual Lotion offers. I may just try one of those when I run out of this lotion, because the idea of not having to apply self tan for two weeks, or potentially longer, sounds pretty awesome!
Do you ever use self tanner?
BeautyJudy says
You can tell from the before and after that this works great and looks so natural!!! I’m a pale girl too, and I agree, self tanners have come a long way and are a definite option for me now!
Chelsea says
Yep, it is SO natural!!
Ciara Sammon says
Hi Chelsea, LOVED your review and the photo results for this post, so much so that I bought the gradual tan. A few questions I’m hoping you could help me with?
So I only tanned one leg with the product so I could see the difference clearly for myself. I am applying my third later tonight. Unfortunately, I have see no tan developing at all. Could you tell how much product you used for one leg, for example. Maybe I’m just using way to little? Or maybe I’m just too pale? Or maybe I just need to give it more time? Anyway, hope you can help! Thank you
Chelsea says
Hey Ciara,
Glad you enjoyed my review! It’s been a long while since I last used this so not sure how much help I will be, but normally with a gradual tanner I’ll use like a dollar coin sized squirt for my calves and a double that for my thighs (maybe a little bit more?). Sorry it doesn’t seem to be working for you as well, so weird :( I wonder if maybe they’ve changed the formula or something.
Cindy ingalls says
Don’t you just love how people feel to need to point out that you are pale? I’ve never been sure why they think being pale is a bad thing because I don’t. I’ve never tried self tanner, but I like how this product gives a nice subtle change.
Chelsea says
LOL yes, people do it to me all the time. I’m like hello, I’ve had this skin for 24 years… I KNOW!!!
Charlene Asay says
Thanks for sharing this. I sorta love self tanners!
Chelsea says
Haha I only just started trying them out last summer, but I’m slowly gaining favorites!
amber says
I’m always scared to use self tanners for the fear of turning orange and streaky haha. But the before and after picture looks like a lovely tan, so I may have to get over it and try again! thanks for the review :)
xx Amber
http://www.ambermagus.ca
Chelsea says
Haha yeah don’t worry, it’s a totally justified fear! I recommend starting out with something light (like this tanner) instead of the darker ones, so that if there is a mistake it’s a bit more subtle :)
Nikki says
I don’t use a self tanner, but I can totally recommend this to my mom! She’s always having me look for reviews for a good one for her.
Chelsea says
Hahah well that’s perfect then! Thanks for passing this review on!
Leelo R says
I use self-tanners from time to time and I have to try this one, because it seems to give really natural result.
Chelsea says
It is super natural, I was soooo impressed! Definitely worth giving a try :)
Lauren says
NEED IT. What pale girl wouldn’t want to wake up naturally tanner? HAHA
Chelsea says
My feels exactly ;)
Neversaydiebeauty says
I don’t do self-tanners because I spend so much time outside and even with sunscreen, I get some color. But I must admit, that is the most naturally looking self-tanner I have ever seen. If I needed one, I’d go with it for sure.
Chelsea says
It is very natural looking! And yeah, I get a little color in summer even with sunscreen as well but definitely not anywhere near as much as I get with a self tanner :)
MarciaF says
I’ve always been afraid to self tan but this looks mild enough and not streaky.
Chelsea says
I literally had zero streaks, it kind of freaked me out how good it was haha. Especially since there are no color guides so I didn’t know where I was applying/reapplying, it still came out amazing!
Justina says
Looks gorgeous on you and very natural! I am testing out the overnight mask soon!
Chelsea says
Me too! I have very high hopes considering how well this worked :)
Stephanie | theFantasia.com says
That is just… fabulous results!! I have been slowly getting myself into the world of self-tanners and it’s been hard to find a good one, but I’m truly curious about this one now! I’ve recently tried the Bioderma one, and omg! must-try! This will be next on my list ;-)
Chelsea says
Hahah it’s definitely a scary product to try a bunch of different brands of, isn’t it? I had no idea Bioderma had a self tanner! I’ll have to look into that one too :) Thanks for the tip!
Kath TheFabZilla says
I like this brand! I’m intrigued to try this lotion!
Chelsea says
It’s great, I highly recommend it!
Laura MyNewestAddiction says
Love the look of this. Nothing to in your face and it looks natural
Chelsea says
Agreed!
Jess scull says
I totally need to get this! I have heard so many great things!
Chelsea says
Yesss, you do!
Erika says
Nice result. I like a subtle glow, rather than full on. I/m excited to break mine out and try it, now that I’ve seen your result.
Chelsea says
Agreed! Subtle glow is where it’s at for us pale ladies ;)
Chelle says
YES! This is good news! I got this one in a swap and I’ve never used a self-tanner before so I’m like… if this makes me orange, I’ll be super not impressed. Now I’m extremely excited to try it out!
Chelsea says
Oooh that’s so exciting! It won’t make you orange, haha :) Can’t wait to hear how you like it!
Megan Joy says
This gave you such a nice and natural looking tan! I am on the market for a self tanner that’s good for newbies and I am terrified of streaks and orange skin. This one looks great!
Chelsea says
I had zero streaks, it honestly amazed me. Try it, for sure!
Phyrra says
Wow, looks great on you!
Chelsea says
Thanks :)
Honeygirlk says
Girl… this is the perfect tan look for you… it looks so natural.
Chelsea says
Thanks! I have to agree :)
Nidia - Lit From Within says
One reason I shy away from self-tanners is because of that smell, so that’s awesome that this one doesn’t. I am such a n00b at applying them, I would want the color guides, though.
Chelsea says
Ahhhh yes, the dreaded smell. I didn’t notice that at all with this one- maybe a tiny bit while applying but it didn’t stick around.
Lisa Heath says
It looks so natural! I’m always scared to use tanning lotion!
Chelsea says
Haha yeah I get scared too, it’s definitely something that is a bit frightening to play trial and error with ;) This one turned out great though!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
I love how natural it turned out! Too often I see us pale folk go ham on the self-tanner and it’s not okay.
Chelsea says
Bahahahah go ham. So true
Whitney says
Oh wow this looks great!!! I’ve tried st tropez before but I didn’t do a good job spreading it evenly. I recently got some jergens product that sort of does the natural, gradual tan thing so I’m excited to give that a go!
Chelsea says
I like St Tropez but found it clung to my bones more- like at my collarbone and knees and stuff, even when I used a moisturizer on those spots first. The Vita Liberata definitely blended better in those spots :)
Holly Housewife says
Love it!! You look so so great!!
We are definitely skin twins….
Pale is so pretty but I get tired of the commenters too
yes I’m pale give it up already! Jeesh hahah
Excited for my St. Tropez to come now, I hope it’s as good as this!
Chelsea says
Thanks! And haha, ugh I know. I swear people don’t know that I realize I’m pale……. the amount of times it’s been pointed out is ridiculous, I’m like I KNOW, IT’S MY SKIN!!! Haha. St Tropez is a good tanner (I’ve only used the Bronzing Mousse), that’s what I was using last summer. It’s a good, natural color, just make sure to apply lots of moisturizer to your feet, elbows, knees and anywhere else you’re bony (I have to moisturize my collarbone area too) because it clings to those areas much easier than the Vita Liberata lotion does and you end up with dark patches. Just use it SUPER sparingly in those spots and you’ll be fine :) Here is a pic with the bronzing mousse: https://instagram.com/p/n_adzqv21p/?taken-by=chelseaoliviaxo
Katie says
I have tried several self-tanning lotions but my top pick is St. Tropez self tanner bronzing mousse. It is easy to apply though the results come slowly. I will check out Vita Liberata.
skin twinkle says
oh, it looks so natural, good result,I like a subtle glow
Lydia says
Yes, I use self-tanners and never have my two sessions had a gap as long as 2 weeks. So I’m definitely going to try out the Vita Liberta Self Tanning Lotion. Thanks for sharing this because I’ve been on the lookout for that perfect “bronzed goddess” tan you mentioned in your post.
Lydia E. Millen from https://skincaretoplist.com/
Andy says
Is the second positive review I came across about VIta Liberata product and the results are impressive. I love the color of your legs, Do you use it on your face as well? Thank you