Jenna's Tanning Journey

I’ve worked in beauty for over a decade now, and one thing I’ve learned is that a lot of self-tanners are made for the wrong skin types, with very little thought given to real-life routines. I’ve tested products backstage, at shoots, on models, on myself, and over time I got tired of the same cycle. Too orange, too muddy, too strong, too sticky. Some would give a decent tone but break me out within days. Others would look good on my arms but develop differently on my chest or face. If you’ve got olive undertones like I do, you’ll know how rare it is to find something that actually balances well without turning red or grey.

I never stuck to one brand because nothing ever felt reliable enough. If I had a client job on the weekend, I’d layer a gradual lotion on my legs and hope for the best. For my face, I just gave up. Everything either clogged my pores or left weird buildup in the corners of my nose. Most products were too thick and too heavily fragranced, and when you work close to people all day, that fake tan smell becomes really noticeable.

Then a friend in my industry told me about Oleyra. At first I assumed it was just another serum in pretty packaging, but the idea of mixing tanning drops directly into my own skincare was what convinced me to try it. I already have moisturisers that my skin tolerates well, so being able to customise how much tan I wanted without changing my whole routine sounded ideal. No new steps, no extra layers, no guessing how dark it might develop.

The first time I used it, I added three drops to my night cream and applied it like normal. The texture didn’t change, there was no sticky layer, and it didn’t sit on top of my skin like a film. I went to bed, didn’t think much of it, and by morning my face had a soft, even glow. No streaks, no dryness, and most importantly, no breakouts. The colour looked natural on my skin tone, not orange or washed out. I didn’t have to balance it with makeup or blend down my neck. It just worked.

Over the next few days, I started adding it to my body lotion too. I usually go for fragrance-free or lightweight formulas, and the drops blended in easily without affecting the texture. I’ve been using it on my legs, arms, and décolletage, and for the first time in years, my skin tone looks consistent across my whole body. There’s no weird transition between face and body, and because the tan fades evenly, I never have to scrub it off or panic about patchy spots before an event.

What I like most is that it feels like skincare. The formula includes aloe, glycerin, raspberry seed oil, and vitamin E, so my skin stays hydrated even on days when I skip body cream. It’s not just colour for the sake of it—it actually improves the way my skin feels and looks. There’s also a soft coconut scent, which is pleasant and subtle, not overwhelming like traditional tanners. I’ve worn it under makeup, over serums, during travel, and it always adapts to my routine instead of forcing me to change things.

Oleyra has become one of those products I keep in both my personal kit and my professional bag. It takes seconds to apply, never stains clothes or bedding, and gives a result I can control every time. If you’ve got combination skin, sensitive areas, or you’re just tired of heavy tanning formulas that do too much and still leave you looking uneven, this is something worth trying.

It’s not about chasing the darkest tan possible. It’s about looking fresher, smoother, and more even without compromising your skin. That’s exactly what it does for me, and I’m not switching back.