This is me after nearly 7 days on the sunny Island of Tobago for my honeymoon. Clearly, I don't tan very well.

It’s mid-July and I am still white as a ghost.  It’s not that I am afraid of the sun regardless of the fact that I lost my dad to Melanoma almost 14 years ago, it’s because it’s not worth the effort.  Seriously, I am so white that I would make Edward Cullen look like he just got back from a week in Cabo with his vampire friends.  Even if I do attempt to get some color, tan for me is what others who do tan consider looking white.  As a result, this makes me quite the connoisseur of bronzers and tanners.

Now, I’m not a fan of self tanners that you apply at home and take a while to develop.  Honestly, I’d sooner jump in a Mystic Tan booth if I wanted that effect.   Yet, when I do feel like I need to cover up my glowing paleness, especially in a pinch or if I can’t afford a Mystic Tan, I prefer something that works instantly.

I’ve been very vocal on this blog about my love for Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs as my go-to product to make my legs more attractive and tan.  Not only does this airbrush spray give me some coloring, but it covers much of the bumps, bruises and other unsightly things that happen when your skin is practically transparent.

However, I have added a new favorite tanner to my love list and I wanted to  share it with you.  My friend Giella, who owns Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics, just came out with a product called Faux Glow.  I asked her to send me a bottle so I could try it out and review.

 

The 4 oz bottle with spout cap, which sells for $48, is easy to apply to the skin.   Upon receiving my bottle, I went to work using it on my legs.  It was easy to apply, smelled great and had a great moisturizing quality that I felt instantly.  Unlike Sally Hansen’s leg makeup, however, I did notice that, if you apply too much it can rub off, and using too much may not make it as water resistant compared to if you use it more sparingly.  Yet, you don’t need to add a lot to get great coverage anyway  because a little goes a long way due to the moisturizing quality and essential oils contained.

 

Faux Glow on my right leg and nothing on my left leg.

The other great thing about this tanner is that it’s not just for legs.  It can be applied from head to toe.  While I do think that some people apply Sally Hansen’s leg makeup all over their body, it is meant for legs.  Also it being more of a leg makeup than a tanner, Sally Hansen’s product, while great, does look more like makeup where Giella’s Faux Glow resembles a natural tan.  Which you can see in the photo.

Additionally, Giella’s Faux Glow is packed with some of their best treatment fusions like:

  • Jojoba Oil  which is moisturizing emollient that improves skin elasticity, suppleness and contains Vitamin E to minimize oxidation, acting as a natural preservative,
  • Grapeseed Oil which is high in linoleic acid, offers a gentle, thin & silky delivery of hydration, and a good choice for those with nut allergies, and
  • Avocado Oil  which has lubricating and skin-nourishing qualities  ( Vitamins  A, D, E and K ) and offers the highest penetration rate of any plant oil – healing, softening and anti-wrinkle properties with anti-bacterial properties.

 

Check out all of Giella’s customizable Treatment Fusions and Menu of Scents that can be added to all her products.

Personally, I am a fan of Faux Glow and, to me, it’s not a matter of one or the other, Sally Hansen’s Leg Makeup or Giella’s Faux Glow.  They’re too different to compare.  While both offer instant tanning results, my use of both of them will be very different.  I like the ease of use and how water resistant Sally Hansen’s product is, but I’ve also heard that it can be drying and I can’t really use it on other parts of my body.  Additionally, like I said, it is more of a makeup foundation than it is a tanner.  Giella’s Faux Glow, on the other hand, can be used all over my body, including my face.  It does provide coverage on my barren white legs just the same as Sally Hansen’s leg makeup, but the tan is way more natural and the healing properties of Faux Glow are worth buying the product alone.

My rating: Definitely a worthwhile purchase!

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Bridgette Raes is the president of Bridgette Raes Style Group, author of the book Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want and a sought-after spokesperson, style expert and writer for many media outlets including CNN, Good Morning America and Real Simple Magazine. She and her Style Consultants are available worldwide for consultation, in-person or virtually.