Fake Bake Flawless review: We tried the popular self-tanner

The biggest difference between Fake Bake and other self-tanners seems to be the ingredients. Fake Bake advertises that its "naturally-derived tanning agents" won't turn your skin orange the way some other self-tanners do. The main ingredient is dihydroxyacetone, which is derived from plant sources like sugar cane and sugar beets. There's also no moisturizer in the product, which the brand says helps the formula absorb quickly.

I've always used lotion self-tanners that gradually darken over time. I've also gone to spray tan booths where it takes at least six hours to see any change. But what I immediately loved about Fake Bake is that it's more like a stain — it literally shows where it goes. It's nice having a clearer idea of what the end result will look like as I apply it, so I know if I need to add another layer. The box also comes with everything you need to get started: the tanning liquid, gloves and a mitt for application.

While the product looks really dark at first, it actually goes on a lot lighter when you start to spread it. In fact, Fake Bake says it's designed for all skin tones. In other words, I didn't need to guess if I was a fair or medium before buying the bottle.

My goal is to get at least 10 all-over tans from this 6-ounce bottle. If I was paying for 10 spray tans at my local tanning salon, that would set me back at least $200 — and that's before I factor in the time and expense it takes to drive there and find parking.

I followed the directions on the package, which said to apply the tanner — after showering and exfoliating — before bed. Since I sleep on white Sheets & Giggles eucalyptus sheets (they're $140 but worth every cent), I was worried about staining. If this spray tan fail happened to Kate Hudson, it could definitely happen to me.

While some of the tanner did come off during the night, it also came out in the wash. I just used Tide on a regular cycle and my sheets looked as good as new.

More importantly, my body, at least color-wise, looked better than ever. I say better than ever because for the first time in my history of tanning — indoors or outdoors — my tone was even. I didn't have any streaks or spotty patches around my dry knees, elbows and ankles.

I also didn't look like an Oompa Loompa. My "tan" was definitely the best on the first two days of my Dominican Republic trip, but I still had noticeable color — and a boost in confidence — by day five. It's worth noting that those days included getting a moringa oil massage, paddleboarding in the ocean, riding slides at a waterpark and at least six showers in between.

Within hours of meeting up with my old high school friend (less than 24 hours after application), she complimented me on my tan. Surprisingly, she didn't ask what product I had used. This leads me to believe she assumed my newfound color came from my recent move to Arizona. But it didn't. It was 100% Fake Bake, or as I prefer to say, "faux glow."

For more stories like this, check out:

• The 9 best drugstore self-tanners for 2020
• This affordable tanning lotion is my go-to product for a natural glow
• How to get a gorgeous, natural glow with self-tanners

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