I’m a big fan of mystic tans (if you have the time to dry that is! Getting spray tanned and then walking straight out into the sweltering heat is a bad, bad idea as I’ve learned from experience), and Guerlain Terracotta Spray ($59) has long been a favorite when it comes to at-home sprays. I’ve just recently tried a new type of tanning mechanism however. I was sent a sample of Solerra’s Instant Bronzing Mitt ($24.95 for four) which delivers a sunless tan in four to six hours using Invisicare technology (a sunless polymer designed to bond its active ingredients to the skin over a four to six hour period while the tan develops). The mitt is for one-time use and it has a plastic liner on the inside that is meant to keep the tanner off your hands. Unfortunately it did end up on my hands and I recommend thoroughly washing them after you apply the tanner to avoid orange hands. For the low-down on the mitt jump for more!
The tanner is very easy to apply and quick to dry. Also it has only a very light, coconut-like smell. I applied one coat to my legs and there was a slight tint of orange so I would highly recommend being cautious when applying and avoid putting on too much (each mitt contains enough self-tanner for a full body application or enough for a deeper bronze coverage for the arms, legs, and dècolletage only). While the application process is quick (dry time was less than 10 minutes), and there is instant color, if you miss an area or apply too much to an area you have to wait at least 4 hours for the tan to develop fully for that to clearly show (ie it’s better to apply too little and then go back and apply more than to over-do it). Overall it’s a nice no-mess, travel friendly solution with color that blends fairly well into the skin.
The application process was easier than with my Guerlain spray, but the color was slightly more orange-y than I had hoped.
