Neutrogena MicroMist Self Tanning Spray- Airbrush Yourself for Spring Break for $12

In my opinion, Neutrogena MicroMist Spray Tan in Deep is the best self-tanner on the market, and it is also one of the least expensive!  You can spray yourself like crazy with this product, and it almost never makes streaks if used properly (it has never,ever made streaks on me). You can also spray your back and other hard-to-reach places that you would usually miss with a self tanning cream or mousse.  This product also has NO COLOR (I hate the instant bronzing self tanners. The color of the automatic bronzer never looks natural), and limited self-tan stink.  It also dries well within 15 minutes, and is oil free.

If your skin shade is charecterized as Light and above (Light-Medium, Medium, etc.), you MUST use the Deep to see any color at all. I have what is normally charecterized as "Light" skin and I need to do about 2 days of spraying to get a good base tan.  If you have very pale, freckled and/or Ivory skin, you may want to start with the Medium, or not self-tan at all. In my opinion, very pale girls look best with their own skin color, as it is very easy for them to turn orange and look un-natural from self-tanning.

Another thing that is great about this product, is the color is somewhat controllable. You can increase your level of self tan by doing an additional spray session the following day after your first spray without worrying about spraying too much. If you do happen to get too dark from self-tanning you can always use a loofah or scrub brush on your body to lighten the color, and use exfoliating products like a grainy facial scrub or Clarisonic, and/or a alchohol based toner on your face. This won't remove all of the product, but it will definitely help lighten the self-tanning effect.

Make sure to exfoliate your body very well with a loofah or salt scrub before using MicroMist. Also, do not spray the product too close to your skin. Stay at least 15 inches away from the area to be sprayed, and mist in a continuous light motion all over your body. I have read some reviews on this product that said that people have had streaks from using it. Honestly, these people must have definite issues, because I have never messed up an application of this product in over five years of using it, and I am a impatient person who has trouble being slow and steady with anything! This product is foolproof.

Remember to never spray the product directly on to your face. If you are going to self-tan your face, spray the product on your palms first, and then lightly press your palms against your face, making sure to cover the areas leading up to your hairline in an upward motion. Then, blend, blend, blend. The areas around the hairline and chin are often missed with self tanners, and can result in a "mask" appearance if missed. Spray a second round of MicroMist in to your palm and press against the apples of your cheeks for an extra dose of sun-kissed color right where the sun would normally hit your face. I love the look that this self-tanner produces on my skin.  Remember that your face will be the first place that the self tanner will fade, so you may need to do a light touch up in day or so. Especially if you use exfoliating products such as the Clarisonic.

I suggest that you use this product at home on the weekends, or at least three hours prior to going to bed, so that you can take a shower before you sleep. If you don't, the product can stain your sheets, and may result in some streakage. I have worn this self-tanner to bed and have woken up with streaky hands and orange feet from moving around during the night.

I have used other inexpensive spray tanners, including the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro-Perfect Airbrush Self Tanning Spray, and this is by far my favorite. The L'Oreal, sprayed easily, but the color that it produced was far too light for all of the effort, since this product only comes in Medium. In my opinion, if you are going to spray tan, you must see a dose of healthy color, or why do it at all? Neutrogena MicroMist spray in Deep gets the job done for much less than a private self-tan, and can be done in the comfort of your own home.

Bottom Line- Buy, buy, buy this product and see a glowing self-tan in 3-4 hours.

Where is it Available- At your local drugstore, or the Neutrogena website.

*Update 6/28/11- I have seen several people searching for this self-tanner, asking whether or not you can shower afterwards. You must let the self-tanner set at least 3 hours prior to bathing. This is the same rule that applies for almost all self-tanners. Also, if you are very pale, as I mention above, try the Loreal Pro-Perfect formula in Medium (this formula is very sheer), or the Medium from the Neutrogena MicroMist. Proceed with caution if you are fair skinned, and remember that it is best to err on the side of using too little, as opposed to using too much, since you can always re-apply if needed. Light to Medium skin tones should use the Deep formula, as mentioned above. Good luck!

*Update 7/14/2011- I have also noticed people looking for ways to remove self-tanner. So, here goes...
1. Use a Clarisonic, loofah, or salt based exfoliant and rub-rub-rub.
2. Use Sea-Breeze or another strong astringent. This works really well, especially on the face, where I often mess up and apply too much self tanner.
3. Nail Polish Remover- Use only in limited quantities and on limited, small areas. Rub lightly and wash off quickly.