SELF TANNING MOUSSE

The right shade makes all the difference. Use this guide, or take our Shade Finder Quiz for a personal match.

Not sure between two shades? Start with the lighter one. Mousse is buildable, so you can add a second layer for more depth. Shopping for him? Our Self Tanner for Men gives a natural, streak-free finish. New to self tanning? Our Beginner Bundle pairs a mousse with a velvet tanning mitt, so you have everything for your first tan.

Every shade was created by our co-founder Toni, a professional spray tan artist who has tanned hundreds of clients and took MAKAI through more than 12 rounds of testing. Whether it's your first time self tanning or you've been doing it for years, there's a shade here for your skin tone and the glow you want.

MAKAI was built by people who know tanning from every side. Toni spent years behind the spray gun before she formulated our mousse, so it's made to deliver the even, natural-looking color she expects for her own clients, at home.

• A balanced DHA formula designed for a natural bronze, not orange
• Light, pleasant scent instead of the strong self tanner smell
• Dries quickly to help reduce transfer
• Vegan, cruelty-free and made in the USA
• 4 shades plus a travel size for trips and touch-ups

One bottle of MAKAI Self Tanning Mousse gives most people about 8 to 10 full-body applications. At $35 a bottle, that works out to roughly $3.50 to $4.50 per tan. Your exact number depends on how much you use and how often you tan. Compare that with what you'd pay at a salon in our guide to how much a spray tan costs. Plenty of our customers still book a spray tan for big events and use mousse to keep their color going in between.

1. Exfoliate at least 4 hours before you tan, focusing on elbows, knees, ankles and feet.
2. Make sure your skin is completely clean and dry.
3. Pump the mousse onto a tanning mitt (about two pumps per body area) and blend in circular motions.
4. Use what's left on the mitt for your hands and feet, blending lightly around wrists, knuckles and ankles.
5. Let it dry before you get dressed, and wear loose, dark clothing while it develops.
6. Rinse after 6 to 8 hours of development.
7. Moisturize every day after your first rinse to help your tan last and fade evenly.

Want the full walkthrough? Read our ultimate guide to self tanning.

After years of tanning clients, Toni says most uneven tans come down to prep, not the formula. These are the mistakes we see most often:

• Skipping exfoliation: old tan and dry patches grab extra color and leave spots.
• Applying to damp skin: moisture under the mousse can cause streaks.
• Going over old, fading tan: it builds unevenly, so exfoliate it off first.
• Rinsing too early: giving it the full 6 to 8 hours lets the color develop properly.
• Too much product on hands and feet: use only what's left on the mitt.

How long does self tanning mousse last?

While everyone's skin is different, a MAKAI tan usually lasts 7 to 10 days. Exfoliating before you tan and moisturizing daily afterward help it last longer and fade evenly.

Will self tanning mousse turn orange?

MAKAI uses a balanced level of DHA, so it's designed to develop into a natural bronze rather than an orange or muddy tone. Picking the right shade for your skin and blending well help too.

Is self tanning mousse better than lotion?

Many people prefer mousse because it's lighter, dries faster and is easier to blend evenly. Lotion can be a good fit if you want a slow, gradual build. Our gradual self tanners are made for that.

Is self tanning mousse good for beginners?

Yes. Its light texture makes it one of the easiest formulas to apply on your first try. Start with Medium, use a mitt, and build color as you get comfortable.

How long should I wait before showering?

Wait 6 to 8 hours for full color development, and avoid water, sweat and tight clothing during that time.

Can I sleep in self tanning mousse?

Yes. Many people apply in the evening and rinse in the morning, which fits the 6 to 8 hour development time. Wear loose, dark clothing and use old sheets the first night.

Does self tanning mousse stain clothes or sheets?

Our mousse dries quickly to help reduce transfer. Let it dry fully before getting dressed and wear loose, dark clothing while it develops. Once you've rinsed, transfer is much less likely.

Can I use self tanning mousse on my face?

We recommend our Glowing Face Mist for your face. It's made for more delicate facial skin and blends easily with your body tan.

How do I make my tan last longer?

Moisturize every day, skip harsh scrubs and long hot showers while your tan is fresh, and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing.

How do I remove self tanning mousse?

When your tan starts to fade, exfoliate gently in the shower to remove what's left evenly before your next application. See our guide on how to remove fake tan for more methods.

From a soft everyday glow to our darkest bronze, MAKAI Self Tanning Mousse makes natural-looking color easy at home. Find your shade above, and if you want your tan faster, explore our instant self tanners.