What is the DARKEST, BROWNEST self tanner? Bodybuilding Competition Tanners?

[Afrance]

HI! I just, just joined and I am on a quest!!!! I have been using self-tanners since I was 18 and am 25 now.
I am a naturally completely pale Caucasian brunette who CAN tan naturally but wears spf 50.
My HOLY GRAIL for the past 6 years has been
L'oreal Sublime Bronze Gel in Deep and I sometimes get asked if I am Italian or Latin American! (Loooooove this!!)
L'oreal Sublime Bronze Gel has become hard to find so I have been using Neutrogena Spray-On in Deep and have been liking this a lot, except for the inhalation! The spray is really great and easy to apply.

HOWEVER...
I am doing a swimwear photoshoot soon and lighting tends to wash out and extra orange-ify color, and I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about bodybuilding competition color.
Has anyone ever tried these? I don't want to look ridiculous and I do not want to look orange, and I want the color to be days, not wash-off.

XO!

[synergistik]

Many airbrush solution companies make them in varying shades. I know Aviva Labs has a few depths of non-DHA [temporary] color solutions. Tampa Bay Tan and Envy Tan are two others, each sells one 'competition color' product but color guide booster drops are available from them.

The most famous one is Jan Tana.

The ones that are completely DHA and erythrulose free will wash almost 100 % from your skin the next time you shower [they might leave a light brownish staining which lasts maybe 48 - 72 hours but will for the most part be unnoticeable].

Since you're depending highly upon the even application of the colorguide, I'd check your area to see if any airbrush tan technicians offer competition color services, since airbrush/HVLP is the most perfect method of application. Many do this regularly and can also 'body sculpt', meaning that they can actually enhance the way your muscles look by varying application depth on different areas.

[Bonnie]

Dream Tan and Protan as well as Jan Tana are the most commonly used products for competition. However, I have always believed a natural tan should come first and then the product goes over it. I have a lot of experience in bodybuilding and competition and have seen some terrible tan jobs with the applied tanners only.

Welcome to the site, by the way!

[Afrance]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes, ladies!!=)
I am not looking for a temporary color because I may get in the water a little and will not want anything to wash off.
I do not really tan in the sun or beds so will not have any base tan, except what has come up despite my spf 50/70/80 (whatever is on hand, I am neurotic about sunscreen!)
The Sublime Bronze and Neutrogena Spray-on that I have used have been very even, are the ones mentioned difficult to apply?
I have been to a few competition sites that recommended Pro Tan Overnight Competitive Color; I am considering trying the one with the spray applicator.
Has anyone tried this? How dark is it and how is the tone/ application?
How is the tone/application of Jana Tana? I have heard about this product too.

[synergistik]

Some of them aren't DHA-free. I know TBT's is 10 % DHA, so it develops a sunless tan underneath it, but the colorguide is still extremely dark to work well under camera and stage lighting.

I have heard of Pro Tan as well. It's another that's heavily used by bodybuilders.

The ones I mentioned are airbrush solutions, so they're trickier to apply by hand [you'd need a foam paintbrush or velour sponge to apply them] and since you're really counting on the color guide, the best option would be to airbrush or HVLP those on.

Another option would be using having a technician use a regular spray tanning solution but boosting the color guide in it. Some solutions can look almost deep chocolate brown on me when I wake up, and I'm also a sunscreen neurotic with no base UV tan whatsoever.

[Tanru]

Originally Posted by Afrance

....
How is the tone/application of Jana Tana? I have heard about this product too.

I am naturally pale caucasian too, and I've used Jan Tana in the past with really good results. Its a very very dark lotion, it spreads well and is easy to apply. I applied it with my hands, sometimes wearing those tight plastic gloves. If I didnt wear the gloves, I would scrub my hands like mad cos the stuff is really dark.

I had a slight natural tan underneath the Jan Tana, but I would say it would still work fine on very pale skin. As long as you take the time to apply it correctly and prepare your skin beforehand. The results are really good, very dark and even and a nice brown colour tan. There was no orange at all. And it lasts about 3-4 days before it starts to fade.

[Bonnie]

Agreed, some of them are extremely dark and actually look a bit like shoe polish, so be sure you want that look first.

[josephga]

I always thought the stuff used it body building competition was just bronzer that just washes off. that stuff way dark

[Afrance]

I am thinking about getting the Jan Tana but has anyone tried the Pro Tan Overnight Competitive Color?I have also read about Elite Tan's Ultimate competition Bronze. Has anyone tried this? I want a long-lasting, not wash-off color.
Thanks!
Alex

[Afrance]

Originally Posted by Tanru

I am naturally pale caucasian too, and I've used Jan Tana in the past with really good results. Its a very very dark lotion, it spreads well and is easy to apply. I applied it with my hands, sometimes wearing those tight plastic gloves. If I didnt wear the gloves, I would scrub my hands like mad cos the stuff is really dark.

I had a slight natural tan underneath the Jan Tana, but I would say it would still work fine on very pale skin. As long as you take the time to apply it correctly and prepare your skin beforehand. The results are really good, very dark and even and a nice brown colour tan. There was no orange at all. And it lasts about 3-4 days before it starts to fade.

Thanks for your helpful answer, Tanru!
Have you tried any other solutions with good results, or is Jan Tana the best?

[Tanru]

Originally Posted by Afrance

Thanks for your helpful answer, Tanru!
Have you tried any other solutions with good results, or is Jan Tana the best?

I like Jan Tana, but its just so messy to apply! There are a few different lotions out there by her, so I went and found my old bottle to get you the name, its called Fast Tan. I've attached a pic too for you. For me its the best and I'll use it again, but I've not used it in aages cos I've been uv tanning all year.

Other fake tans I've used and liked are:

Fake Bake Airbrush Tan (in a gold tan, it looks like it's only instant tan at first, but it develops darker over night. Really nice brown tan from this stuff too.) And the spray is so handy. Be sure to clean out the nozzle after spraying or it will stick.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Original No streaks bronzer (so easy to apply, and dries quick. More of a bronze tan glow colour to this. If you want to give it a try be sure to get the Original one, the 'light' one for fair skin is absolutly shite and definatly is orange.

If they are not dark enough for you, I'd go get a professional spray tan at a salon and get two sessions back to back each day for maximum darkness :)