Kopari Beauty started with one signature product (the cult-favorite 100% Organic Coconut Melt) and has since released a full collection of clean-beauty skincare and body products, all of which are formulated to give you a healthy glow and hydrated skin. The brand recently joined the self-tanning market and has created their own Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse and Face Serum. As a fan of Kopari and their products, I instantly ordered the duo to try. I’ve tested and compared lots of other self-tanners on my blog - everything from Loving Tan to Lux Unfiltered - and wanted to see how Kopari Beauty’s newest product stacked up.

Keep reading for my results, application tips, review, and whether I think the Kopari Beauty Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse lives up to the hype and is worth it.

(PS - curios about Kopari’s face self-tanner? Check out my review and results of their Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum.)

kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse before and after

kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse one vs three applications

kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse review and application tips

I was pleasantly surprised by the Kopari Beauty Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse. While this isn’t the most dramatic tanner I’ve used, it’s still a great tanner, especially for those who have sensitive skin or want a really natural-looking tan.

The tanning mousse had a beachy pineapple scent, which is on-brand for Kopari. I joked to my boyfriend that I smelled like what I would imagine SpongeBob would smell like right after application, but the scent faded within an hour or so. The first night I applied the self-tanner, I noticed that dreaded “self-tanner smell” at the 8-hour mark, right before I washed it off. I applied the tanner three nights in a row, and did not get the “self-tanner smell” after the second and third applications, which was nice - so if you notice that smell the first time you use the tanner, don’t panic.

As far as results go, this is a gradual self-tanner so you won’t get a dramatic tan after one use. I didn’t notice much of a difference after the first day, and it took me three applications to get a summer-like glow. I was noticeably tanner, but it still looked very natural and I got a few compliments asking if I had just been on vacation, which has never happened before with other tanners I’ve used.

Another unique aspect about this tanner is that the bottle itself is clear, so you can see exactly how much product you have left. Just going off of my estimations, I applied the tanner to the top half of my body only, but could probably get around 20-25 more full-body applications out of the bottle. At $36 per bottle, it’s a pretty good deal and I think this is a fairly-priced tanner.

Overall, I would consider the Kopari Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse to be more of a winter self-tanner, or a product you could use to maintain your summer tan. The tan itself was gorgeous and gave me a healthy, natural glow, and it’s easy to fit it into your routine in the fall/ winter when the nights are long, but having to dedicate multiple 8-hour days to get noticeable results wouldn’t really work with my summer schedule, especially when there are more convenient express tanners available on the market. However, if I had a special event coming up, I would absolutely carve out the time to use this tanner - the healthy, natural glow is absolutely worth the time commitment, looks great in person, and it also photographed better than some of the express tanners do.

tips for applying kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse

Kopari sells a tanning mitt to go with their tanner, but you can obviously use any mitt you have. I personally did not like the Kopari mitt; it felt very oversized and went past my wrist to my forearm when I had it on, which made me worry that I would mess up the tan around my wrist. I also find tanning mitts with a thumb to be a little messier than the regular mitts and wouldn’t recommend a mitt that has a thumb space for beginners.
- I used the Kopari mitt to test this tanner, but in the future, I’d stick to this mitt instead.
This tanner needs at least 8 hours of application time, so make sure to plan accordingly. Some people noticed it transferred onto their sheets, so I applied the tanner in the afternoon and washed it off before bedtime instead of sleeping in it overnight. I did not notice any transfer onto my lighter clothes, but be careful if you plan on sleeping in it.
The tanner has a golden, almost glittery tint in the bottle, but the color guard (tint) is very subtle (almost clear) when you apply it, so you have to be mindful of where you’re applying the tanner since the color guard isn’t visible enough to guide you.
- As far as the glitter goes, I noticed a little bit of shimmer when I was sitting in direct sunlight, but it’s very subtle and I didn’t notice any glitter on my clothes. The glitter is also very fine, so I wouldn’t worry about it damaging your skin barrier.
- That being said, I would not apply this self-tanning mouse to my face because I would not want to risk getting any glitter in my eyes.
Fortunately, this is a gradual self-tanner so it’s really difficult to mess up! Always apply in circular motions, and let it dry completely (about 5 minutes) before getting dressed to avoid creasing.

where to buy kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse

You can buy the Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse for $36 at Ulta, Amazon, and Revolve. Save money by using your Ulta points; if you’re in a rush, Revolve and Amazon always have quick, free shipping.

FAQs about kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse

is the kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes. My skin is extremely sensitive and I did not get a reaction, even after applying it multiple days in a row.

does kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse break you out?

Not in my experience. My friends who are more acne-prone haven’t had a problem either, but I would consult with your dermatologist if you are concerned.

can you apply the kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse to your face?

While I typically find it ok to apply self-tanning mousses to my face, I would not recommend applying the Kopari mousse to your face. There’s a little shimmer/ glitter in the mousse, and even though it’s very fine and subtle, I would not want to risk that getting in my eyes.

how long does it take for the tan to develop?

The directions say to leave the tan on for 8 hours for the best results. I don’t like sleeping in self-tanner, so I applied this 8 hours before my nighttime routine and showered before bed. I saw a little bit of a difference after my shower, and then woke up with a noticeable tan. You’'ll see the full results 24 hours after application (that’s when I shot the after photos).

how long does the tan last?

I found that the Kopari Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse lasted about a week before it started to fade. As a gradual tanner, the brand recommends applying it a few days in a row until you reach your desired shade; I applied the tanner 3 days in a row, and from there, it lasted a week. This is definitely one of the more subtle self-tanners I’ve used; I find Loving Tan to be one that you can apply once a week, whereas I think you’d have to apply the Kopari Self-Tanning Mousse at least 3x a week (maybe more in the summer) to maintain a healthy glow.

is the kopari beauty gradual self-tanning mousse easy to remove?

Yes. Once I noticed the tan start to fade, I used an exfoliating mitt in the shower to buff it off and it was mostly gone (and then fully removed after another shower). While I love the Kopari Beauty Exfoliating Crush Scrub, it’s not my favorite to remove self-tanner with. I want something a little grittier, whereas the coconut oil in Kopari’s scrub makes it too hydrating for removing tanner (personal preference). For the best and quickest tan removal, I’ve found exfoliating mitts to be the best product removing self-tanner (even better than exfoliating scrubs).