Once you've tried some beauty products, you've pretty much tried them all. GASP! How, as a beauty blogger, could I possibly say that?

Well, if you really think about it, it's kind of true. At some point, all blushes, bronzers, mascaras, eyeliners, etcs start to look and feel the same. Of course there are some that will never work, or some that causes your skin to react badly, but all in all, a lot of beauty products are similar.

I continue to buy them because I'm constantly trying new things, and if something is new or a cult classic that I've never tried, I need to try it.

That's why, when there is a beauty product that is unlike anything I've seen or tried before, I need it.

Over the past few months, I've been extremely drawn to unusual & unique beauty products. I love seeing what brands will come up with next and it's interesting to try something that you aren't used to.

From masks to primers to removers, there's tons of weird products out there!

• Lip Masks: This might not be so unusual but when I saw it on Sephora's website a few months ago, I was intrigued. It's so smart to make a sheet lip mask and I don't know why I've never seen them. Thanks to the Sephora Brand Collection, I've been introduced to a new item. I purchased one and fell in love. It just so happens everyone else was too because they've been sold out forever. (Back in stock right now!) Thankfully, Patchology sent me some of theirs recently and I've been loving them! My lips are moisturized and smooth afterwards, perfect to do right before applying a liquid lipstick.

• Origins Maskimizer Mask Primer: This was a product, when I saw it, said "Now they've thought of everything!". It seems a little gimmicky to apply a primer before applying a face mask, but if you think of it, why wouldn't it work? We apply primers before makeup to keep makeup on longer, smooth our skin, and other reasons, why shouldn't we apply it before a mask? This primer allows for your skin to absorb the mask more quickly, and loads better. A few sprays before your favorite face mask and your skin will feel better. I haven't noticed a physical difference but I do think my face feels better using it than without using.

• Too Faced Mascara Melt Off: A mascara remover, that comes in a mascara tube? GENIUS! Once again, gimmicky but GENIUS. I don't wear a lot of waterproof mascara but like every other woman in the world, have a difficult time removing it. Apply one coat of this remover to each lash, let sit for 60 seconds, and wipe away. I've never tried anything like it and I don't think I ever will again -- it's SO good, I never want to run out. 

• St Tropez In Shower Gradual Tanner: Self tanning is such a trend, and such a pain in the butt. Your hands turn orange, if you're not careful your sheets will too. Why has no one ever thought of making a tanner that you apply IN THE SHOWER? Well, St. Tropez gave us what we didn't even know we needed. I bought this in a pinch because I was white as ghost and had misplaced my self tanner amongst the many boxes when I was packing to move. I ran to Sephora and purchased this; within 3-4 showers, I had semi golden skin. It seemed like the most natural tan ever and it was completely fake. If you're nervous about self tanning, I highly recommend starting out with this. It's great for beginners.

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I've been on an avid self tanning kick. I swore off tanning beds for the past 2 years and I'm getting better at not sitting in the sun. I talked about most of this two weeks ago in my "Your Skin Is In" post and I couldn't wait to write THIS post.

While I've since been into self tanning, this didn't come without some doubts. I saw that self tanning was a major trend in the beauty industry amongst my favorite bloggers but I was always really skeptical that I wouldn't be able to do it. I was afraid of turning orange or having it come out really streaky or getting it all over my clothes.

I stopped myself more than once from experimenting with this foreign trend but when Vita Liberata sent me their pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mouuse last summer. After one use, I was completely hooked. It wasn't streaky, it didn't smell bad, it applied evenly and smooth, and the tan was not orange. It didn't rub off on my clothes either.

It was basically full proof and it was the tanning product I used all summer--I was self tanned more than naturally tan and I didn't hate it.

A few weeks ago, Vita Liberata invited me to a blogger event to introduce us to their Spring 2016 line. I was so excited to be there and I immediately wanted to tell everyone about it but it was very hush hush until the products were released!




They walked us through the 3 new releases, along with their other existing products and it was really interesting to hear from the founder of the company, Alyson Hogg, all about why they created the products they did, and how they compare to existing brands.





Vita Liberata was founded in 2003 and since then they have created countless self tanning products that center around the brand's main values: natural, odorless, pure formulations that give flawlessly perfect results!



Vita Liberata is just one brand in the tanning industry but they have their own unique niche. They use a moisture locking system that ensures soft skin and a natural fade (no one likes a tan that fades off in ugly patches). They use organic anti age and all non toxic ingredients -- I'm not huge into all natural beauty but if something I really enjoy is safe for me, I'm more prone to use it!

Probably my most favorite part of the Vita Liberata brand--quick drying application! I was really weary of the fact that I'd have to walk around naked in my house for an hour to let the tan settle but all the products dry instantly.

We were able to try out all of the products as well as get a free spray tan. I got a spray tan and oh my goodness, it was the best spray tan ever. I've only gotten a spray tan once in my life and it was a miserable experience but this one by Vita Liberata was insane. It smelled good, felt good on the skin, was totally even, and didn't smudge. It dried instantly and I was totally sold.




All the bloggers went home with goodie bags to try the the new items and of course that was my favorite part! The three new products introduced are Self Tan Dry Oil SPF 50, Self Tanning Anti Aging Serum, and the Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish.

I haven't tried the Body Blur yet but I saw it in action (below) and the results are astounding.



I use the Self Tan Dry Oil (which is such a cool product) and the Anti Aging Serum (OMG) and they are hands down, two of my current favorite beauty products. The Self Tan Dry Oil is exactly what it sounds like; it's a dry oil that contains SPF 50, which helps to moisturize and protect the skin. The oil has all the benefits of a Vita Liberata self tanner. It also has technology that allows you to build up the color gradually without being too harsh or dark. I have been using this in place of my original pHenomal Self Tanning Mousse.

The Anti Aging Serum is something I didn't know if I'd enjoy but I had really been wanting to incorporate serums into my beauty routine. I'm glad I proved myself wrong because this is amazing. It really does self tan your face, in a very gradual way. I add around 2 drops to my fingers and apply evenly after my face is throughly cleansed. It contains cucumber extracts, rosehip oil, and other essential ingredients to help with hydration, reduction of fine lines, and wrinkles.



The Body Blur is supposed to perfect skin and mash blemishes, while fighting sings of aging. It has photo reflective particles that give you a photo ready finish, all while providing you the benefits of all Vita Liberata products. I think this would be perfect to apply to your legs before a big night out when you're wearing a skirt or dress!

All in all, these self tanning products are incredible. They self tan you to your desire while providing incredible skin care benefits. It's the best of both worlds!

Shop some other Vita Liberata products below!



Have you tried any self tanning products?

I have always baked in the sun, ever since I could remember. I loved being at the beach, by the pool, and being tan.

I am guilty of going to a tanning bed on occasion, mostly for special events like proms, formals, or my sweet 16. It doesn't make it better because I was still exposing myself to the harsh UV rays and possible skin cancer.

I am also guilty of never putting sunblock on... like ever. The last time I put sunblock on was on spring break in Punta Cana last year-- and I still came back with sun poisoning. I am honestly not a role model when it comes to safe tanning.

Sometimes it's because I'm lazy and I'm sitting out on my balcony for an hour and the thought of applying sunscreen is annoying, and I also don't like feeling greasy, only to come back inside a few minutes after sitting out.

I have though, gotten better about the sunscreen on my face. I now use moisturizers that have SPF built right in!

As I get older, I know I need to be better about sun protection but that is not the point of this post.

I love being tan. Being tan is probably my top 5 favorite feelings. Does that make me shallow? Is that just a New York/Queens/Brooklyn/Long Island thing? Everyone in my life adores being tan. Every one of my sorority sisters praises the idea of being tan. Stereotypical? Of course!

But honestly, it just makes me feel good. I feel more confident, I feel prettier, I feel skinner, I just feel comfortable when I'm bronzed and tan.

But, to be tan, you need TO TAN and as previously stated, there is a very slim way of doing that safely.

I have gotten two spray tans before and know people who go spray tanning religiously. It's a safe way to be tan but it can be messy. I went for my first spray tan a little over a month ago before my sorority formal and it was quite the experience. Standing naked in front of a stranger? Inhaling the tanning fumes? It was not the best moment, but the tan came out awesome.

There are a lot of rules when it comes to spray tanning and is kind of complicated, and it's pretty expensive.

I wanted an alternative and that is when I discovered all my favorite youtube beauty v-loggers do their own spray tanning or "self tanning". There is a whole industry dedicated to this (i.e St. Tropez) and I was too nervous to embark on the journey. I didn't think I would be able to pull it off.

It was still on my mind when I went on my spontaneous work trip to Chicago back in April and while at the conference, I received a self tanning mousse by NKD SKN, and immediately was super psyched to try it out.




NKD SKN is under the umbrella company Vita Liberata, which is known for their self tanning products. NKD SKN is sold at Ulta and the mousse I have is Tinted Tan Mousse in Dark.

There is so much information about self tanning with these types of products, so it can seem overwhelming at first. You are in control of the entire process and it's very easy to mess up.

Basically what you need to do in order to get a gorgeous, self tan is exfoliate your entire body, shave, and make sure your body is smooth and silky. DO NOT moisturize before proceeding with the tan.

Then, get your mitt ready (yes a self tanning mitt--NKD SKN comes with a mini one but I soon realized it was not up to par. I went out and bought the famous St. Tropez Self Tanning Mitt for $6.50 at Sephora). Pump out the self tanner onto the mitt and start working it onto your body in circular motions.

See the difference in size?

I watched a few of my favorite v-loggers aka Jaclyn Hill, to know the right way to do this. Most people recommend starting with your arms, then your legs, and always working up toward your heart.

After carefully reviewing all of this information, I took a deep breath and got to work. I was nervous but at the end of the day, didn't really care if I messed up. It was my skin, my body, a few mess ups wouldn't be the end of the world. Let's remember this isn't permanent!

I laid out a towel on my WHITE shag rug in my bedroom, wore shorts & a tank top (I didn't self tan by stomach because no one was seeing that and I was kind of lazy) and got to work. As I said before, the mitt that came with the NKD SKN was teeny tiny but it's what I had to work with. Because of this, the self tan got all over the palms of my hands but it washed off almost completely the previous day.

I smoothed the tan all over my body, my arms, then my legs, and as Jaclyn Hill said, moisturized my wrists, hands, ankles, and elbows to make the tan apply smoothly on those rough, hard to reach areas.

The tan dried almost immediately and over the next few minutes started to deepen. I noticed a few blotchy areas on my elbows and arms, and went back over those areas with no problem.

I apologize for the poor photos--we all know photography is my weak point

There was no horrific smell to the tan, and it blended out really nicely. You could tell this is high quality, yet it isn't too expensive with a price tag of $19.50.



I didn't shower that night after the tan (I don't think I did--this was two weeks ago) because I was afraid of it washing away completely and wanted it to darken. It didn't transfer onto my sheets or my clothes, which is very important.

You can see the little dark spot on my palm, from the tanning mitt not being big enough

I went to work the next day, very tan and natural looking. I got compliments on my tan all day and people told me it looked like I had been at the beach.

Now that is how you know you have a great tan!

I did have a lot of splotchy areas on my elbows, they were a lot darker than the rest of my body, but to be honest, I did not care. That's just me though.

It lasted a little over a week and I'm anxious to try it again--most likely this upcoming weekend.

Honestly, I'm kind of obsessed with self tanning. It's safe, it's easy (once you get the hang of it), and you are in control. It also doesn't cost much once you have the supplies needed.

I would do my research before selecting a self tanner. Make sure it works for your skin type and tone, and make sure it's one that is easy to blend and work with. No one wants a streaky tan, but if you're a beginner, I would definitely recommend NKD SKN. It's inexpensive, and very easy to use.

Here's to a tan & safe summer, ladies!

Do you use self tanner? What are your thoughts? What techniques do you use?