Where have you been all my life?

I've been sunless tanning for about 10 years now, so I like to consider myself a bit of an expert on the topic.  I thought I knew all there was to know about sunless tanning, but I was mistaken.  Case in point: the Ulta Sunless Mitt.  An invention of my dreams!  How have I gone 10 years without one of these?  

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Description: Applicator mitt easily smoothes self-tanning products onto the skin. The Self-Tanning Applicator Mitt by Ulta features a soft, velvet-like cloth cover that cushions the skin and an inner, water-resistant barrier to protect hands from becoming stained. Provides even, streak-free color. Hand-washable mitt can be used again and again.

I bought this mitt at Ulta last week for $4.99, and it has bit a bit of a life changer.  Around Christmas time, I cut back on a few unnecessary expenses.  One of these unnecessary expenses was my $49.99 a month Mystic Tanning membership.  It's a rough life, I know.

Since I stopped Mystic Tanning, I was content with embracing the pale.  That was until I saw some recent pictures  and I couldn't believe just how pale I was.  Sometimes all it takes is a photo to slap you in the face with reality.  I'm not trying to look like Snooki, but I would prefer to not look like a vamp. 

The problem is I've never been that fond of applying my self-tanner myself, but this mitt makes it a breeze.  Not only does it help you blend the color, but it protects your hands from turning that unsightly orange.  At only $4.99 (currently a "buy 2/get 2" special on Ulta.com), I will be purchasing a few more of these.  I don't know why I ever tried to apply mystic tanner without one of these magical mitts.

While I was at Ulta, I also decided to test out a new self-tanner.  After deliberating and standing in the sunless tanning product aisle for too long unable to make a decision, I finally made a gut decision and went with Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Creme Lotion Self Tanner in Medium Dark for $10.99 (used a 20 percent off coupon).

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I've gotta give it to my gut instinct, this self-tanner has been one of my favorites to date.  The best part for me is the odor is very minimal.  I don't ever think I've used a self-tanner with this pleasant of a scent (citrus, tanning oil scent) after the the chemical reaction took place between my skin and the key ingredient in sunless tanners — dihydroxyacetone (DHA).  It's impossible to not smell the chemical a little, that's just the nature of the beast.  I'd rather smell a little funky than get skin cancer or look like an old, wrinkly hag.  Right?

I also like the pump, it's much easier to dispense this product than having to shake and squeeze a typical lotion bottle. Because the mitt makes it so easy to evenly apply the lotion, I was streak-free after application.  I used the lotion 2 times last week and it gave me the perfect sun-kissed color for my fair skin.

I just used it again last night and I think to maintain I'll have to reapply 2 to 3 times a week.  I hate when self-tanner starts to come off and your skin looks splotchy, so I'm happy to report I haven't been asked yet by any strangers if I had a skin disease.  Oh yes, this happened to me standing in line for the merry-go-round with my nephew.  Here's how that went down:

Man standing behind me w/ his son: "Excuse me miss, I was just wondering if you had Vitiligo too?"

Me (confused): "I'm sorry, what was that?"

Man: "Do you have Vitiligo, the skin disease?  I noticed on your wrists that your hands were whiter than your arms.  I'm just asking because my son has it and i thought you did too."

Me (embarrassed): "No sir, just a blotched self-tanning job."

I couldn't believe that happened, but that is the story of my life.  Hopefully this mitt will mitigate strangers asking me if I  have a skin disease.   So far, so good.