All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Color-changing makeup is the best kind of beauty throwback — the kind we never get sick of because products that transform upon application are so much fun to watch in action. While we’re usually referring to pH reactions in products like lipsticks and blush, there’s another similar makeup staple you might not be thinking of: self-tanner.
We’ll be the first to admit that applying self-tanner isn’t the most riveting process. For starters, it usually can be so awkward to apply that giving up in the middle is a very real scenario. Plus, most self-tanners feature some sort of guide color, which you really just want to rinse off at the first opportunity. All of the above is why we’re in awe of tanning & skin finishing expert James Read for creating a face mist that blends the best features of self-tanners, bronzers, and face mists in one bottle.
Read on to find out why his H20 Tan Mist is pretty much pure genius.
The shade will custom adjust to your skin tone.
Possibly the biggest bronzer struggle of all time is finding a shade that suits your skin tone. When the color veers too warm, it can appear unnatural, especially if your undertones lean cool or neutral. Since the Tan Mist relies on DHA technology, it custom adjusts to a shade that suits you. “It’s designed to work for all skin tones and never create that awful orange look,” says James. “It simply gives you a glow.” Basically, it mimics the color of your actual tan — no shade matching required!
It’s packed with benefits.
Think of this as a formula that’s half skincare and half makeup, thanks to a base of rosewater and power ingredients like aloe, witch hazel, and coconut oil. “I wanted to use the rosewater as a base because its list of beauty benefits are endless,” explains James. “It helps revitalize, nourish, and hydrate the skin.” That doesn’t mean you should ditch your serums and sunscreens entirely, but consider it an extra boost to your everyday routine.
You can apply it without a mirror.
When James assured us his Tan Mist was so easy to use it would be impossible to make a mistake, we were admittedly a little bit skeptical. Turns out it actually holds up! “The mist is so fine you don’t even need to use a mirror,” he says (truth!). “Mist from the top of your face down, holding the bottle 15 cm away. Then, spray down the sides, and you’re ready to go.” Unlike traditional self-tanners, you don’t need to rub this in or worry about sweat and moisture-induced streaking. Best of all, it’s buildable. Spray an even layer over your face for a summery, all-over glow — or layer a little extra for some super subtle contouring. (For a noticeable contour effect, we’d still recommend turning to your favorite powder or cream formula.)
There’s no removal required.
So here’s where this delivery system differs from bronzers you’re used to: it takes time to develop, but it also stays on longer. You’ll have to wait 3-4 hours for the first layer of color to show up — short by self-tanning standards, but definitely longer than your PH-reacting gloss. Apply it in the morning for warmth that gradually blooms on your complexion as you take on the day, or spritz some on overnight and wake up bronzed. The pros of the invisible color? It reacts directly with your skin cells, so there’s no pigment to remove at the end of the day. The spray itself is totally clear, so there’s zero risk of it smudging, fading, or transferring onto your clothes. “It doesn’t block your pores,” adds James. “And it hydrates!”
It’ll keep you cool.
In case you needed more convincing, the mist also comes with a built-in cooling component — more than we can say for both bronzers and self-tanners. “There’s nothing better on a hot day than a water spray,” says James. It’s how he came up with his magical invention in the first place: “On a particularly humid day last year, I thought to myself, ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a cooling mist that did more than just refresh your skin? So we started working on one that used skincare, cooling technology, and a touch of self-tan. It’s a summer must-have.”
And FYI, this smells great too (no DHA scent detected after extensive sniffing), so spritz to your heart’s content!
Related: 6 Big Bronzer Mistakes You’re Probably Making
