Beauty by Earth Self-Tanner Tanning Mousse Review and Application Tips
Self-tanner has been a part of my beauty routine for the last fifteen years, and it’s come a long way since they first came onto the market, with customizable shade ranges, cleaner formulations, and options that don’t give you the dreaded “tanner” smell. As I’ve gotten older, my skin has gotten more and more sensitive, so while I want a self-tanner that will give me a noticeable tan, I also need to be mindful of the ingredients or else I risk my skin getting really irritated.
A friend recommended I try the Beauty by Earth Self-Tanner Tanning Mousse; it has an organic, non-toxic, vegan formula and isn’t too expensive. I ordered it from Amazon right away, and even though I’m quite pale, I decided to order the Medium to Dark and Extra Dark formulations, hoping to get noticeable (yet not orange) results. Keep reading for a full review, comparison of each shade, application tips, and tips for saving money on this self-tanning mousse.
beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse in medium to dark before and after
beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse extra dark before and after
beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse review + tips
Both shades of the Beauty by Earth Self-Tanner Tanning Mousse produce a natural yet noticeable tan. Application is easy and straightforward; while the foam is clear/ white, I noticed a subtle color-guard as I applied it, which helps for an even application. This foam is lightweight and dries down perfectly – there’s no stickiness or “wet” feeling, which is always so uncomfortable.
What I loved most about this tanner is that it not only has a subtle coconut scent, but you don’t get the “self-tanner” smell even as it develops. I felt like I could apply this and then run a few errands without feeling (or smelling) like I had self-tanner on. I did not notice any transfer onto my clothes after applying this.
As far as application time and results go, I left the tanner on for about six hours, and saw a very subtle tan after washing it off later that evening. I noticed the color fully developed by the time I woke up the next morning. You’ll see full results about 24 hours after application. It’s recommended to apply two days in a row for maximum results; I personally prefer to just add a second coat halfway through (three hours in) rather than dedicate two days to tanning, since I don’t sleep with it on.
I’m pretty pale, but want to look pretty tan after using self-tanner – a subtle tan just doesn’t feel very worth it to me, so I didn’t order the Fair to Medium shade. Testing both the Medium to Dark and Extra Dark formulations, I saw great results using both. The tan was deep, not orange (especially considering how pale my natural skin tone is).
tips for applying beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse
The product page says to apply in circular motions with your hands or using a mitt or Kabuki brush. I’ve found that it’s easiest to apply the mousse using a tanning mitt, and then use the Kabuki brush to buff out the product on your hands/wrists and ankles for a more natural look.
The product applies clear, but gives a slight tint as you buff it into your skin - it’s probably the most subtle color guard I’ve ever seen. The tanner is also very easy to blend out - no patches or streaks.
Leave the tanner on for about six hours in order to get noticeable color, and apply two days in a row if you can (as the directions say) for the best results. If you’d rather not tan two days in a row, my trick is to apply a second layer of the tanner at the halfway mark (about three hours in). I tested this tanner both ways, and my tan looked basically the same using both methods.
In the pictures I’ve shared here, I did the second coat three hours in rather than a second day application. I recommend this method over the second day application; it saves you time, unless you don’t mind sleeping in self-tanner.
Both mousses are true mousse formulas; if you go to pump out the product and it seems watery to you, it’s unfortunately a faulty product and should be returned or exchanged. I only mention this because my first order of the Extra Dark formula was faulty, but when I exchanged it, the second bottle worked perfectly fine.
That being said, if you’re impatient - I used the faulty tanner and still had a great tan (no streaks), but the results were a lot weaker than when I used the proper one.
beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse medium to dark vs extra dark results
is the beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse worth it?
This tanner is vegan and non-comedogenic, and made in the USA. At $34.95 per bottle, the price is similar to some of the other tanners you’d find at Ulta or Sephora, like Loving Tan or St. Tropez. As someone who has had a lot of trouble finding a tanner that doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, I find Beauty by Earth Self-Tanner Tanning Mousse to be 100% worth the price because I had absolutely no reaction to this – no itchiness or irritation, and you do look tan after one application, although they recommend to apply it two days in a row for maximum results.
where to buy beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse
Beauty by Earth Self-Tanner Tanning Mousse and available for purchase at Target or on Amazon. If you buy on Amazon, they typically offer coupons or promotions if you buy multiple products or purchase the tanner mousse with their tanning mitts or Kabuki blending brush.
FAQs about beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse
what shade of beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse should i get?
Both formulas of the Beauty by Earth Self-Tanner Tanning Mousse provided similar results on my fair skin tone, which surprised me. You really can’t go wrong with either shade, unless you have a base tan already (if you do, get Extra Dark).
I typically recommend always getting the darker shade of a self-tanner because you can keep the product on for less time for a lighter tan (or skip the second day application) since the lighter shades won’t always give you noticeable results. That being said, Medium to Dark still gave me a beautiful, natural yet noticeable tan. Since Extra Dark seems to sell out a lot, I think Medium to Dark is still a great option and I’ll definitely repurchase it when mine runs out.
can you apply beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse to your face?
You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it since there are so many incredible face tanners out there (I really like these tanning drops). If you do apply this self-tanning mousse to your face, I recommend applying it with a brush and only applying it for half the time (three hours, approximately).
is beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
Yes, the ingredients are clean and the formula is made with skincare in mind, so I think this is one of the better self-tanners for sensitive skin.
does beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse break you out?
Not in my experience. If you’re acne-prone, you might want to consult with your dermatologist or patch-test it.
does the beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse cause irritation or a reaction?
No, it doesn’t. Some self-tanners can make my skin itchy, but I didn’t experience any reaction or irritation when I used this.
how long does the tan last?
The tan lasted for about four days, and then started to get patchy around night 5/ day 6.
is beauty by earth self-tanner tanning mousse easy to remove?
Yes. I was sick when I tested these tanners and had low-energy, and was grateful that the mousse removed easily in the shower because I did not have the energy to scrub it off. I recommending using an exfoliating mitt to remove self-tanner; it’s the most effective yet still gentle enough for sensitive skin.
