Hello and thanks to everyone who responded to my questions to an earlier post on Jamaica me Tan. I ordered it and just received it today. What I want is for everyone who uses it to post their techniques and advice. I have a spray bottle that I will be using, but I'm not sure if it is a fine mist one...don't know where to get one and how to tell if it's fine mist of not. Another posting mentioned using a large puff to help even it out. What does everyone else use.

Before I use it I just want as much feedback as possible. I appreciate the help!

Nicole

A fine mist spray bottle will spray just that - a fine mist. It won't spit out large droplets - it spray evenly & covers the area well. It has a pump on top & you use your index finger to push down on it (as opposed to to trigger bottle, which has, well, a trigger). I bought one at Sally's & also one at Walmart.

I buy a large (about 6" in diameter) velour puff at Walgreens to skim over the area after it's been sprayed. It's important to work with small areas at a time because the spray dries quickly. Start with, for example, your right lower leg. Spray two squirts one near the kneecap (but just below it) and another just below that - then work your way around the leg doing the same thing - it takes about 8-10 squirts. Then take the puff - do not press down on it or try to rub the JMT in - just lightly skim over the spray so that it evens it out. Then move on to your right thigh - repeat.

It's really important to prepare your skin before applying the solution. You should exfoliate well - you can use baking soda mixed with a little shower gel on a washcloth or exfoliating glove. Don't use a loofah - it won't exfoliate enough or evenly. You should shower with a gel - not bar soap - and not a gel that is full of moisturizer. This will leave a film on your skin. Just a clear plain shower gel - like the clear ones at Bath & Body Works. Then only apply lotion (and apply it lightly) to the areas likely to *grab* the color - for instance, your kneecaps, elbows, feet, & hands. Allow the lotion to absorb for about a half hour. Then you're ready to apply the JMT.

Then the upkeep is important, too. Most people find they need to moisturize daily - some every other day. Some people find that a lotion with mineral oil in it breaks up their tan, while others have no problems. You can use a nylon shower pouf daily with the shower gel. After 3-4 days, you'll probably need to reapply - you'll want to lightly exfoliate this time - maybe not with the baking soda, but with a sugar scrub or something similar. You don't want to remove all of the color - just the *loose* areas. It doesn't matter if you're a little splotchy - when you reapply the JMT, it will all even out.

how do ya'll apply it to your face?? mist? wouldnt it get in your hair.
do you water it down first?

I don't water it down. I use a small velour puff (like the kind you sometimes find in a powder compact - you can buy the puffs at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc) - I spray the puff 5-6 times & then wipe the solution over my face. Sometimes I apply a second coat.

I also use the smaller puff on my hands & feet after I spray them - it's just easier to get my fingers with it than with the larger puff.

I pretty much apply mine the same way Blue eyed Belle applies hers. The only difference in my application is that I begin spraying the upper body areas first. Mainly because no matter how carefully I spray with the fine mist bottle, I still get some overspray. I found that when I started with the lower body first, the overspray from the upper body would affect some areas I had so carefully "tanned". I also have not been able to find a large velour puff, so I just wear those inexpensive cotton gloves that are usually used overnight with a heavy duty hand cream and smooth the spray out with those. I will continue to look for a large puff because the disadvantage to the gloves is that they do absorb a fair amount of the tanning solution. I try to keep it at a very light touch to minimize that. I also use a small velour puff for my face, backs of hands, and feet. HTH!
Cris

i just did my JMT last night. I LOVE it. the color is even better than ST. Tropez. I didnt get it exactly even but i guess that takes practice. My face turned a little too brown but i just used a glycolic toner and some came off. Is it possible to put the solution in an aerosol spray can (like the cans that sally hanson spray on legs comes in)? it would go on sooo even! i dont know if this is possible.

I've never seen an aerosol can that you can fill yourself. I just use the fine mist spray bottle.

I just used the Jamaica me tan for the first time. I don't look very tan. Does it take several hours to work? Does the color show up evenly even if the bronzer looks a little uneven?

Well - how did you apply it? Did you exfoliate before? What kind of shower gel did you use? Did you apply any lotion at all?

It does take several hours to completely develop - most STs do. But if you have the kind with the bronzer, you should see some color. It sounds like you may not have applied enough.

As far as the bronzer looking uneven - well, the final tan may be okay - maybe not. It depends upon whether or not you've covered all of the areas. If you missed some, you'll have streaky color.

Just making a guess at the problem, I'd say you didn't apply enough & tried to spread it too thinly. But if you answer the questions I asked, I can help more. :-)

I use St. Tropez spray and have to say that I mostly spray it into my hand and apply!! The liquid quality makes it easy to spread and the results are good but the spray action is hard to control and gets all over the floor or whatever surface you're next to.

I'd advize you to not use too much moisturizer as it gets too moist and becomes difficult to rub in.

Also they always say allow 15 minutes to dry - but they lie!! If you've sprayed all over, stand up (naked) for at least 30 minutes (watch a tv show or something to pass the time), up to an hour if possible then put on an old tshirt and you'lll have no smudging.

The most difficult part is the hands. I've found the best way to get coverage is to prepare by using a body scrub, moisturize (especially the nuckles) and then apply tanner to either a cotton wool pad or makeup sponge and apply to the back of the hands and blend. Do the nuckles last with whatever is remaining on the sponge/cotton as it picks up pigment very quickly.

Also, build up color gradually instead of going for 10 shades darker at once!! EVerytime I try to get a lot of color at once it ALWAYS ends up looking dreadful and I end up having to wear long sleeve clothing for a few days to cover it up!!

Good luck

I just used the Jamaica me tan for the first time. I don't look very tan. Does it take several hours to work? Does the color show up evenly even if the bronzer looks a little uneven?

Either you didn't use enough or the bottle was old (the tanning properties diminish with age)

i looked at jamaica me tan's webpage, which is the one you buy?

I use the 10% with the bronzer.