I'm A Self-Tanner Skeptic, But This One Gives The Perfect Sun-Kissed Glow

It's about that time of year when the summer glow becomes a distant memory. Now, typically this would come with some panic and a heavier reliance on bronzer—but last year I discovered a glow-inducing mist that transformed me from a self-tanner skeptic into a passionate advocate.

Trust me: Not all self-tanners are the same, and the Coco & Eve Micromist is elite. As in, I recently tried a professional spray tan and the results weren't nearly as good as what I get from this $29 spray.

It took me a long time to get past my fear of self-tanners. I was afraid I'd end up a streaky mess or that my skin would be more orange than tan. We've all seen and heard the horror stories of botched spray tans and false-tanner mishaps. This, combined with often questionable ingredients, was enough to keep me away from self-tanning products altogether. 

Fast-forward to earlier this year, when the winter months had drained my skin of its color. I was feeling a bit ghostly, to say the least. One morning I met a friend for coffee and immediately noticed her complexion.

It was bright and dewy, with a copper glow that looked like she had just returned from a week at the beach. I knew she'd been braving out the New York City winter just like me, so what was her secret?

Since I'm often turned off by the ingredients in self-tanning products, I was happy to find out that the Coco & Eve Micromist is made without silicones, toxins, or parabens.

The vegan formula is PETA approved and crafted with ethically sourced ingredients—including a 100% natural DHA. DHA is the key ingredient in self-tanner responsible for giving you a bronzed glow—but not all DHA comes from the same source. It can be derived from natural ingredients, like beetroot, or created with chemicals.

Coco & Eve combines its natural DHA with other active ingredients to provide benefits to the tanning formula that go beyond the tan itself. 

After trying the Coco & Eve Micromist, I started dabbling in other tanning drops and lotions—but no formula goes on as seamlessly as this spray. It's the easiest to use (by far) and achieves the most even, natural results. In other words, no streaks here. I follow the brand's instructions to a T—and the entire process takes less than five minutes.

First, I cleanse my face and neck, letting my skin dry completely. Next, I spray a light layer of the mist over my entire face and neck while holding the bottle about a forearm's distance from my face.

The best part? Serums, eye creams, moisturizers, and makeup can be applied as soon as the spray is absorbed. I give the formula about 30 seconds to absorb into my skin before I move through my typical skin care routine. 

Results are visible within six hours from application, and my glow lasts for three or four days each time. If I use spray on a Friday before work, my skin shines straight through till Monday. The best part? The color is just enough to give me a boost, without people noticing I applied a self-tanner.

When I used the spray before vacation, I worried that sunscreen and true sun exposure would interfere with the results. Thankfully, the tanner worked just as well as any other time, and my skin reacted to the sun (and sunscreen) the same as it always does. I love that the mist makes my face and neck feel moisturized, too.

I test a lot of products, and one of my biggest pet peeves is when they don't last long. I often fall in love with a new moisturizer, hair spray, or face wash only to find that I need to restock after just a few uses. This micromist, on the other hand, truly gives me my money's worth.

I only use three spritzes for each application—and the bottle holds about 300. That's about 100 applications for less than $30 (a far cry from what I'd spend on a professional spray tan).