Loving Tan Purest Tanning Mousse vs 2-Hour Express Mousse Review and Comparison
Loving Tan has been my go-to self-tanning brand for years now. I’ve probably gone through countless bottles of the 2 HR Express Mousse formula in Dark over the years and while I constantly test new self-tanners, Loving Tan is the one I always come back to (and prefer to use when I’m not testing).
That being said, I have very sensitive skin and have to give my skin breaks from self-tanning or else irritation occurs. Loving Tan recently came out with their Purest line, which contains over 97% certified organic and naturally derived ingredients while still boasting the natural yet deep tan Loving Tan is known for. I couldn’t wait to try it, and today I’m sharing my full review and comparing it to the OG 2HR Express Mousse formula we all know and love.
To test both of these products, I applied them as directed, and shot the “after” photos 24-hours after application. Both are in the shade Dark, so you’re getting as close of a comparison as possible.
I’ll get into the similarities and differences between both mousses later in the post, but one big difference is the Purest Tanning Mousse requires 6-8 hours of application, whereas the express formula only needs to be left on for 2 hours. For my full comparison, application tips, and opinion on which formula is better, keep reading.
loving tan purest tanning mousse in dark before and after
loving tan purest tanning mousse in dark review and application tips
The Loving Tan Purest Tanning Mousse in Dark is just as easy to apply as the 2HR Express Mousse. The foam is light brown (known as a color-guard) so you know exactly where you are applying the tanner; it’s not as dark as the color guard in the Express mousse, but noticeable enough to help you apply evenly.
I did find the Purest Tanning Mousse to have a “sharper” self-tanner smell; I’m used to a slightly chemical smell at this point, but this one almost seemed plastic-y to me. It wasn’t so bad that I got a headache, but it was definitely noticeable.
The application itself was easy; the Purest Tanning Mousse applied evenly and didn’t streak, but definitely felt sticky even hours after it dried down. Once fully dried, the tanner doesn’t transfer, but I recommend wearing dark sweats while you let the tan develop just in case.
Unlike the Express formula, this tanner should be left on for 6-8 hours; the tan will develop for up to 24 hours after. For the sake of this comparison post, I left it on for the seven hours as directed but in general with longer tanners like this, I like to apply a second coat at the halfway mark to get a deeper tan and maximize results.
Regarding results, the Dark formula gives you a natural looking tan - no orange tint, but definitely not as deep as the 2 HR Express formula. I noticed that some other reviews mentioned a streaky or patchy tan and I think that’s because they maybe slept in the tanner - it’s a stickier formula, and I can see it clinging to clothes overnight. I personally just dedicated an afternoon to tanning rather than sleeping in it, and my tan was smooth and even.
The tan only lasted four days before it started to fade, but it faded nicely and came off easily in the shower by day 5.
tips for applying loving tan purest tanning mousse in dark
Use a mitt for a streak-free application that won’t stain your hands. I like to use a brush to buff in the product and help blend out trickier areas like elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.
Unlike the 2HR Express Mousse, the Purest Tanning Mousse requires 6-8 hours of application time so I applied the tanner at 2pm, left it on for 7 hours, and then showered before bed. I didn’t notice much of a difference right away, but woke up noticeably tanner. I let the product continue to develop for 24 hours and took the photos at the same time the next day.
I don’t recommend sleeping in this tanner. First, the smell is a lot stronger and sharper than other mousses I’ve used (not just from the Loving Tan brand) and it’s very sticky - not so uncomfortable that you can’t make it work, but I wouldn’t enjoy sleeping in it and I would worry about creases happening overnight. There’s also a light color guard (not as dramatic or intense as the 2HR Express formula), that may transfer onto sheets or lighter clothing.
If you want a deeper tan, apply a second coat halfway through. You might also want to apply it two days in a row if you want the tan to be as deep as what you’re used to with the 2 HR Express formula.
loving tan 2 HR express mousse in dark before and after
loving tan 2 HR express mousse dark review and application tips
The Dark Loving Tan 2 HR Express Mousse is one of the easiest self-tanners to apply and use, and the color payoff is great. The foam is brown (known as a color-guard) so you know exactly where you are applying the tanner. Once fully dried, the tanner doesn’t transfer, but I recommend wearing dark sweats while you let the tan develop.
It’s also a really convenient product with little downtime, as you can wash this tanner off after 2 hours, and the tan will develop for up to 24 hours after. For the sake of this comparison post, I left it on for the two hours as directed but in general, I like to leave it on for about 5-6 hours to get a deeper tan and maximize results.
Regarding results, the Dark formula gives you a natural looking tan. It doesn’t look orange, lasts a full week (even with daily workouts and hot showers), and I’ve never had a streaky or patchy application. It also fades nicely and is easy to remove in the shower after about a week.
tips for applying loving tan 2HR express mousse in dark
Use a mitt for a streak-free application that won’t stain your hands. I like to use a brush to buff in the product and help blend out trickier areas like elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.
I applied the product at 7pm, left it on for 2 hours, and then showered before bed. I didn’t notice much of a difference right away, but woke up noticeably tanner. I let the product continue to develop for 24 hours and took the photos at the same time the next day.
You only need to leave it on for 2 hours to get results, so this isn’t an overnight tanner you sleep in. Even if you want to leave it on for longer, this tanner is a little more sensitive to sweat and clothing creases, so sleeping in it may cause uneven streaks.
loving tan purest tanning mousse vs 2hr express mousse in dark results
is loving tan purest tanning mousse or 2hr express mousse better?
Overall, I recommend the original 2 HR Express Mousse formula over the Purest Tanning Mousse. My skin is extremely sensitive and I prefer natural products as often as I can, but I don’t think the Purest Tanning Mousse is worth the fuss. It takes longer to develop, the stickiness can lead to creases/ streaks if you sleep in it, and the scent was awful. I know fragrance is a really unnecessary (and harmful) ingredient, but it almost seemed like the Purest formula had a stronger scent than the 2HR Express mousse.
Comparing the two tanning products in regards to price, formula, application, and results:
The Purest Tanning Mousse costs $42, whereas the 2 HR Express Mousse costs $40. I’m a nerd so I broke down the price by ounce, and the 2 HR Express Mousse is cheaper ($10.50 per ounce; Purest is $12.12 per ounce).
If you’re in a time crunch, stick to the 2 HR Express Mousse; the Purest Tanning Mousse requires 6-8 hours of application time.
Both formulas are very similar; the Purest Tanning Mousse has a lighter color guard, but is stickier overall.
Something Loving Tan is known for is a patchier or streakier application that evens out as it develops. This is definitely true for both the Purest Tanning Mousse and Express formulas, but once the tan fully developed, both tans were even - no streaks, patches, or spots - so this isn’t a major issue.
I saw some reviews saying Purest gave them a patchy tan; I think it’s because they slept in their tan overnight. The formula is sticky so I could see it creasing as you sleep. I washed mine off before bed and had an even tan.
There is a slight “tanner” scent to all Loving Tan products; you start to smell it around the 2-hour mark, and because I wash it off before bed, I do smell it a little bit the next day, but it isn’t noticeable to other people. While the Purest Tanning Mousse has a more organic formula, the scent was stronger to me.
Loving Tan products take a full 24 hours to develop. I didn’t notice much of a difference with either tanner at the 2-hour mark when I showered, but saw the color had developed slightly when I woke up (6 hours later), with maximum results at about the 24 hour mark.
Both formulas gave me a natural yet noticeable tan, but the 2 HR Express Mousse was definitely darker.
Even if you’re really pale (like me), I recommend not getting the Medium shade in either formula. If you’re worried about it, just wash the tan off sooner for subtler results. Both formulas are brown/ olive based, so you won’t look orange.
The 2 HR Express Mousse lasted longer - I get a full week of a tan, with results lasting a little longer on my legs and arms. The Purest Tanning Mousse lasted for about 3-5 days. Both faded naturally (no patchiness) and were easy to remove; just use an exfoliating mitt in the shower.
I recommend getting the original 2 HR Express Mousse formula in Dark and if you want a deeper tan, leave it on for longer. When it comes to special events or pre-vacation prep, I like to leave it on for around five hours, applying a second coat halfway through. That gives me the most natural tan similar to if I had been in the sun or on vacation. I follow the original two-hour application timeline as part of my weekly routine for maintaining a tan or during the winter months.
where to buy loving tan express mousse
Loving Tan formulas are pricier than some of the other self-tanners available on the market; 2 HR Express Mousse retails from $40 to $60. I highly recommend subscribing on Amazon if you are a regular tanner; you’ll never run out and receive an automatic discount code of 5-10%, so you don’t have to wait for sales. Loving Tan is also sold directly on their website as well as at Ulta, Target, and Nordstrom, so if you belong to any of those loyalty programs, it may be worth it to earn (or use) your points there.
As far as comparing the two formulas, I broke down the price by ounce, and the 2 HR Express Mousse is cheaper ($10.50 per ounce; Purest is $12.12 per ounce).
FAQs about loving tan self-tanning mousse
what shade loving tan mousse should i get?
Whether you buy the Express formula or the Purest Tanning Mousse, get the Dark shade. Even if you have fair skin like me, I still recommend Dark because you can always keep the product on for less time for a subtler shade, whereas there’s a limit to how dark you’ll get with Medium.
can you apply loving tan purest tanning mousse or 2 HR express mousse to your face?
You can. I don’t because my skincare basically exfoliates the tan off each night. If you do apply it to your face, I recommend applying it with a brush and only applying it for around half the time (one hour for Express, two to three hours for Purest).
is loving tan purest tanning mousse or 2 HR express mousse suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. My skin is extremely sensitive and I’ve never gotten a reaction from either formula. The Purest Tanning Mousse is more organic and therefore gentler for sensitive skin, but I’ve never had a problem with either formula.
do loving tan self-tanning mousses 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.
how long does it take for the tan to develop?
You only have to leave the 2 HR Express Mousse on for 2 hours, whereas the Purest Tanning Mousse requires 6-8 hours of application time. You’ll see the full results from both tanners 24 hours later, which is true for pretty much all self-tanners.
how long does the tan last?
The 2 HR Express Mousse lasts about a week for me, even with daily workouts. The Purest Tanning Mousse started to fade around day four. Neither tanner lasts longer than a week.
are loving tan mousses easy to remove?
Yes, Loving Tan’s formula is one of the easier self-tanners to remove in my opinion. I recommend using an exfoliating mitt at around the 6th or 7th day to lightly buff out the tan.