Fake Bake Self Tanner : How to Get The Perfect Tan Every Time

by Eve Dawes

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The best cruelty free makeup you need to know about in 2023

Preparation, Application and Making Your Self Tan Last with FakeBake USA Director of Sales Ladonna Sheridan

Fake Bake tanning lotion has long been a staple in my beauty routine. I’d been looking forward to talking with LaDonna Sheridan, Director of Sales at Fake Bake USA for a while. I wanted to get the pro self-tanning tips and best self tanning product picks from the pro. From Fake Bake Flawless to their tanning water and makeup, she shared all of the tips on how to get the best results from any FakeBake tanning lotion.

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I first met the Fake Bake team at Faviana’s Red Carpet Oscar Viewing Party in 2018 and got to try their bronzer and Fake Bake Flawless. Being a huge fan of both self tanner and cruelty free brands I was instantly hooked.

My bathroom cabinet and makeup bag is full of Fake Bake products from Fake Bake Tanning water (all of their self-tanning products come with an applicator glove you don’t need to wear plastic gloves) to Fake Bake flawless self tan liquid, tinted lotions, exfoliating wipes and bronzer as I have a self-tanning addiction.

I’ve always been on a mission to be as tanned as possible. Even back in the 90’s (when Sun-In was also thing!) and early 00’s. Back when it used to be actual tanning when I was working in Portugal and the Caribbean, shhhh! I was less educated on how damaging it was, everyone else was doing it and thought I’d never age!

Fake Bake tinted body glow Beauty Blogger Eve Dawes glammed up night out

Why Use Fake Bake Self Tanner V other brands?

Now my tan’s all fake, safe and not reliant on the weather. Plus, I don’t have time or desire for the upkeep of a real tan when I can do it at home in 5 minutes. I love a beautiful beach but I’m the one with the big hat covered in SPF 50 and normally shade bathing.

I’ve tried at least 4 different popular brands off of the recommendation of friends or influencers especially when as sales been going on. I always end up coming back to FakeBake flawless, as I love the professional application mitt it comes with, the ease of application and the golden glow it creates.

If I’m building a gradual tan I’ll use Tan-Luxe but if I want instant color my go to is Fake Bake tanning lotion. I just can’t find a better color or one that lasts as well. Plus it’s cruelty-free which are the only products you’ll get me talking about or using.

An Interview With Fake Bake and Everything You Need to Know About Getting the Perfect Cruelty-Free Self Tan

PART 1: How to Find The Best Self-Tanner For Me

In this episode:

How Fake Bake got started and why
What are best Fake Bake tanning lotions and self tanning products?
What is best self tanner for fair skin and darker skin?
Which is the best self tanner for face?
What do peptides in the self-tanner do?

We talked for so long it’s a 2 episode podcast (scroll down for Part 2, listen on apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts).

TIP: Subscribe to Glamour & Gains Podcast to automatically get the latest podcast episodes automatically.

fake bake flawless self tanner Blogger Eve Dawes birthday Vegas mini dress

How Fake Bake Got Started

Fake Bake self tanner has been around for 22 years and LaDonna’s been with them for 20 years so I couldn’t wait to get all of her tanning tips and product picks. One of the things that got Ladonna away from sun beds was seeing how aging it was and wanting to look better and not do long term damage to her skin.

I’ve had similar issues with seeing the physical damage from the sun. I’ve been developing keratoses over the last 5-10 years. Which is is a rough, scaly patch on your skin that develops from years of exposure to the sun.

A small percentage of actinic keratosis lesions can eventually become skin cancer. Recently they became so bad, that I had them removed with Cryo Surgery by a dermatologist.

One, because if treated early, almost all actinic keratoses can be cleared up or removed before they develop into skin cancer. Two, honestly, from a vanity perspective. As I had so many my skin felt like sandpaper and they looked awful.

Which is another reason I’m a fake baker not a sun worshipper anymore.

PART 2: How to Get The Perfect Tan, Highlight, Contour and Glow with Fake Bake Tanning Lotion & Products

LaDonna shares:

What PAM is (and it’s not the spray oil)
How often to tan
How to prep for the best tan application
Self tanning tips: including how to use the enclosed application mitt, how to make sure all areas are covered using circular motions and a mirror, how to tan hands and feet and avoid excess tanner.
How to take care of your tan and make it last longer
All about the face (tanning, contouring and the best highlight)
Plus, I got the scoop on their newest products coming out!

Model Blogger Eve Dawes Faviana’s Red Carpet Oscar Viewing Party with FakeBake

LaDonna’s Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tanning Product Picks

2 of LaDonnas’s favorite FakeBake self-tanners which both have tanning guides so you can see what you’re doing for a fool-proof tan are:

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Fake Bake Flawless (good for oilier skin types)
FakeBake Original Lotion (for dry skin) $32

My personal favorite is Fake Bake Self Tanning Water. It’s colorless so harder to see what you’re doing but I’m so used to do it I find it easy. Plus theres no chance of it staining your clothes and it applies as a beautiful foaming mousse. For those new to self-tanning you might prefer one of the ones above which have a tinted tanning guide.

My Top 3 Fake Bake Self Tanner Products

Beauty bronzer which I use to contour along my hairline and under my cheekbones.
FakeBake Tanning water which is a colorless self tanner so it’s good if you’re tanning in the morning and are worried about getting it on your clothes. Although non of their self-tanners have stained anything of mine and wash out if you get it on anything.
FakeBake Tinted body glow for the face and body (especially on my chins, shoulders and collar bones). It’s a gorgeous lotion that leaves a glam glimmering finish but isn’t glittery. You can also use it on your face, either all over or as a highlighter. Play around and see what works best for you.
TIP: Apply FakeBake Tinted Face and Body Glow $18.50 before dressing and let dry for a few minutes. It’s also available on Amazon Prime

Full video review of these Fake Bake Flawless products at the bottom of this blog.