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Self-Tanning Spray | Body Bronzing MistAchieve a Flawless Glow with our Bronzing Mist Self Tanner Transform your skin with our professional-grade self tanning spray, designed to deliver an airbrush tan experience at home. This lightweight tanning water uses advanced tan formulas to create instant, natural-looking results, developing into a...
- $40.00
- $40.00
- Unit price
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Self-Tanning Bundle | Essentials for a Smooth, Streak-Free GlowHave the perfect tan all year around! Choose a customizable glow that is perfect for your skin tone. This Self tanning bundle includes your choice of our Self Tanning Mousse and our Self Tanning Applicator Mitt for a streak-free glow. Self Tanning Mousse Medium: ideal...
- $45.00
$50.00- $45.00
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Dark Self Tanning MousseOur best-selling Dark Self-Tanning Mousse will give you an instant, flawless, natural-looking tan. Easy to apply, fast drying, and always a streak-free finish when applied with our Applicator Mitt. Browse our full dark self tanner collection to find your perfect shade match. Looking for...
- $35.00
- $35.00
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Ultra Dark Self-Tanning MousseOur Ultra-Dark Self-Tanning Mousse is a Makai favorite with a violet based formula leaving you with a natural deep dark tan while avoiding any orange undertones. This shade is ideal for those with dark skin tones or experienced tanners looking for a dark Mediterranean...
- $35.00
- $35.00
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Need a tan you can see tonight, not next week? Our instant self tanner spray and mousses add visible color as you apply them, so you're never guessing where you've been. They're made in the USA, created by a professional spray tan artist, and come with a 30-day exchange guarantee.
Made in the USA | 30-Day Exchange | Free Shipping Over $75
What Instant Means for Each Formula
Instant doesn't mean the same thing for every formula, so here's what to expect.
Self-Tanning Spray (Body Bronzing Mist)
You'll see color as soon as our Self-Tanning Spray hits your skin, and the tan keeps developing after that. Rinse sooner for a lighter result, or leave it on longer for deeper color. It's our quickest option for a night out, photos or a last-minute plan. You can use it on your face, but our Face Mist is made for facial skin and is the better pick.
Dark and Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse
Our Dark Self Tan Mousse and Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse give you color right away, then keep developing underneath. Full development happens around 6 to 8 hours. Plenty of our customers rinse after 1 or 2 hours, like an express tan, when they want a lighter color. Depending on how long you let it develop, your color can last about 5 to 10 days.
Both mousses are vegan and cruelty-free. Pair either one with our applicator mitt for an even finish.
Instant, Express or Gradual: Which One Do You Need?
These words describe how fast you see color and how long you wait before you rinse. Here's how they work with MAKAI.
- Instant: Color you can see as you apply. Our spray and our mousses both do this, so it's easier to see where you've been and blend as you go.
- Express: Rinse the mousse early, around 1 to 2 hours, for a lighter tan without waiting all day.
- Full development: Leave the mousse on for about 6 to 8 hours for your deepest color.
- Gradual: Our gradual tanning lotion builds a little color each day, like a moisturizer.
Pick by When You Need It
- Tonight: Use the Self-Tanning Spray.
- This weekend: Use a mousse ahead of time and bring the spray with you.
- A slow, natural glow: Use the gradual lotion every day.
Toni's Rule of Thumb
Toni, our co-founder, has been self tanning and getting spray tans for over 20 years, and has been spray tanning clients and selling self tanner for over 10. Her advice is simple: for tonight, reach for the spray. For the weekend, tan with the mousse and keep the spray in your bag. Patt, our other co-founder, has studied self tanning chemistry for about 9 years, and we've been making MAKAI since 2020.
Want more options? Shop All Self Tanner. Curious about timing? Read how long a spray tan takes to develop.
Instant Self Tanner FAQs
How fast will I see color?
Right away. Our spray and mousses both show color as you apply them, and the tan keeps developing after that.
Can I use it the day of an event?
Yes. The Self-Tanning Spray is the best pick for same-day plans. If you use a mousse, you can rinse after 1 to 2 hours for a lighter color, or apply it earlier so it has about 6 to 8 hours to fully develop.
When should I rinse?
It depends on the color you want. With the mousse, rinsing after 1 to 2 hours usually gives a lighter tan, and waiting about 6 to 8 hours gives full development. With the spray, rinse sooner for lighter color or wait longer for deeper color.
How long does the color last?
Usually about 5 to 10 days. The longer you let it develop, the longer it tends to last.
Can I use it on my face?
You can use the spray on your face, but our Face Mist is made specifically for facial skin and is the better choice.
Why does my tan look darker later?
That's normal. Self tanner keeps developing after it goes on, so your color often looks deeper once it's had time to develop.
Will it rub off on my clothes or sheets?
Color can transfer while it's still fresh. Let it dry fully, wear loose, dark clothing, and rinse once your development time is up.
General Self Tanning Questions
No. Our formulas use a balanced level of DHA, and our Gradual Lotion uses an even lower-DHA blend, so your color develops into a natural bronze instead of the orange or muddy tint common with high-DHA formulas. Because the color builds gradually, you stay in control of how deep your tan goes. You also won’t get the strong tanner smell. Our formulas have only a light scent.
With proper prep and aftercare, your MAKAI self tan typically lasts seven to ten days. Avoid hot tubs, heavy exfoliation, and excessive sweating early on to get the most out of your glow.
Your tan will continue developing for six to eight hours after application. Avoid water, sweat, and tight clothing during that window. Once you shower off the excess product, your full color will be visible and will continue to settle over the following day.
Easy Step-by-Step Application Guide:
- Exfoliate
- Apply two pumps of Self Tanning Mousse per body part using applicator mitt
- Rub in circles until desired area is covered
- Use only the leftover product on elbows, knees, ankles and hands so they don’t grab extra color.
Want More?
Check our ultimate guide to self tanning for:
- Detailed application tips
- Common mistakes to avoid
- How to prep your skin
- Making your self tan last longer
- 🌞 Radiant Glow, No Sun Required: Get sun-kissed without the need for intense sun exposure. Our products are formulated for a natural-looking tan.
- 🕒 Effortless Tan on Your Schedule: Say goodbye to lengthy sunbathing sessions! Our specially formulated solutions provide quick and convenient tanning. Achieve that perfect glow while fitting your busy lifestyle.
- ☀️ Glow Responsibly, Embrace Skin Safety: Prioritize your skin's health with sunless tanning. Avoid harmful UV exposure. Our formulas are designed to give you a beautiful tan while shielding your skin from sun damage and premature aging.
- 👙 Flawless Tan, Every Time: Our solutions, when used with our applicator mitts, are formulated to give you an even and consistent tan
- The FDA confirms DHA is an approved color additive for external cosmetic use, though sunless tanners on their own don't provide sun protection — always pair your glow with daily SPF. (Source: FDA)
✨ To easily find the perfect fake tan shade for your skin, take our Shade Finder Quiz. We offer options from gradual to ultra dark, including the ideal self tanner for fair skin.
✨ Yes. MAKAI is dermatologist tested and made without parabens or sulfates. If you have very sensitive skin or a history of reactions to self tanner, we recommend a quick patch test first: apply a small amount to your inner arm and wait 24 hours before a full application. Our self-tanning products are gentle on the skin. They're formulated to be suitable for sensitive skin types.
Guys, try our best selling self tanner for men!
Our products are:
- Non-toxic
- Vegan
- Cruelty free
- Gluten free
- Sulfate free
- Paraben free
Our formula works on dry areas like elbows and knees - no extra lotion needed! ✨
For a natural-looking tan on your face (cheeks, nose) our Glowing Face Mist is the perfect addition to your sunless tan routine.
- Infused with natural seed oils
- It keeps your face moisturized and glowing
All our mousses can be used as gradual tanners. We also offer a gradual sunless tanning lotion that keeps skin moisturized. Happy glowing!
Many people choose sunless tanning during pregnancy as an alternative to UV tanning, and some of our customers use MAKAI throughout their pregnancies. DHA, the active ingredient in self tanner, works on the outermost layer of your skin. That said, every pregnancy is different, so we recommend checking with your doctor before using any new skincare product. Pregnancy can also make skin more sensitive than usual, so do a patch test on a small area and wait 24 hours before a full application.
Some of our customers came to MAKAI after years of not being able to use other self tanners, but everyone's skin is different. MAKAI is made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, or formaldehyde. Before your first full application, do a patch test: apply a small amount to your inner arm and wait 24 hours. If you notice redness, itching, or irritation, rinse it off, stop using the product, and check with a dermatologist. If you know which ingredient caused your past reaction, compare it against our full ingredient list on each product page.
Why You Can Trust MAKAI Self Tanner
Since 2020, we've made self tanner the way we wanted it for our own skin: natural looking, streak-free and tested by people who actually know tanning.
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Created by a Professional Spray Tan Artist
Co-founder Toni has been a spray tan artist for over 10 years and has tanned hundreds of clients. She took MAKAI through more than 12 rounds of testing.
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Rated 4.8 by 2,100+ Customers
Real reviews from verified buyers, including photo and video results on a wide range of skin tones.
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Made in the USA
Produced in facilities that follow Good Manufacturing Practices, with raw material checks plus microbiology and stability testing.
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PETA Approved, Vegan and Cruelty-Free
Never tested on animals. No parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, palm oil or formaldehyde.












