Loving Tan 2-Hour Dark vs Platinum Tanning Mousse Review and Comparison
Loving Tan has been my go-to self-tanning brand for years now. I’ve probably gone through seven or eight bottles of the 2 HR Express Mousse formula in Dark over the years, and because I am naturally very pale, I’ve tried all of their formulas and shade variations. When I saw that the brand had released a new Platinum 2 HR Express Mousse formula designed for “experienced self-tanners only,” I was definitely intrigued. Boasting a professional strength formula with a natural olive color, I had high hopes because sometimes the original Dark formula doesn’t give me as deep of a tan as I want.
To test both of these products, I applied them as directed and left them on for exactly two hours, prior to bedtime. I woke up to a little bit of a difference, but allowed the tan to develop for 24-hours before taking my “after” photos. For a full review, comparison, application tips, and tips for saving money on these products, keep reading.
loving tan 2 HR express mousse in dark before and after
loving tan 2 HR express mousse review and application tips
The Loving Tan 2 HR Express Mousse is one of the easiest self-tanners to apply and use, and the color payoff is great. The foam is brown (known as a color-guard) so you know exactly where you are applying the tanner. Once fully dried, the tanner doesn’t transfer, but I recommend wearing dark sweats while you let the tan develop.
As far as application time and results go:
You can wash this tanner off after 2 hours, and the tan will develop for up to 24 hours after.
For the sake of this comparison post, I left it on for the two hours as directed but in general, I like to leave it on for about 5 hours to get a deeper tan since I am so pale.
The Loving Tan 2 HR Express Mousse comes in three shades - Medium, Dark, and Ultra Dark. I recommend getting Dark no matter how pale you are; you can always leave it on for less time if you want a more subtle tan, rather than keep the lighter option on for longer.
It also fades nicely; I didn’t experience any patchiness and when I exfoliated my skin, it came off pretty easily.
tips for applying loving tan 2HR express mousse
I used my longtime favorite mitt for a streak-free application that didn’t stain my hands. For my elbows, wrists, knees and ankles, I use a brush to buff in the product and help blend it out.
I applied the product at 7pm, left it on for 2 hours, and then showered before bed. I didn’t notice much of a difference right away, but woke up noticeably tanner. I let the product continue to develop for 24 hours and took the photos at the same time the next day.
Because you only need to leave it on for two 2 hours to get results, I would recommend against sleeping in this tanner. Even if you want to leave it on for longer, this tanner is a little more sensitive to sweat and clothing creases, so sleeping in it may cause uneven spots.
loving tan platinum 2 HR express mousse before and after
loving tan platinum 2 HR express mousse review and application tips
The Loving Tan Platinum 2 HR Express Mousse is very similar to the original formula. Similar to the original, the foam is brown (known as a color-guard) so you know exactly where you are applying the tanner. Once fully dried, the tanner doesn’t transfer, but I recommend wearing dark sweats while you let the tan develop.
As far as application time and results go:
You can wash this tanner off after 2 hours, and the tan will develop for up to 24 hours after.
For the sake of this comparison post, I left it on for the two hours as directed.
The results are more dramatic than the original formula, but even though the bottle boasts “natural olive color,” I felt I looked a little orange. My skin is naturally very pale, so I think if you have a base tan or darker skin tone, it would look better.
Similar to the original, this self-tanner fades nicely; I didn’t experience any patchiness and when I exfoliated my skin, it came off pretty easily and quickly.
tips for applying loving tan platinum 2 HR express mousse
This formula applies basically the same as the original 2hr express mousse you may be used to.
I used a mitt for a streak-free application that didn’t stain my hands. For my elbows, wrists, knees and ankles, I use a brush to buff in the product and help blend it out.
I applied the product at 7pm, left it on for 2 hours, and then showered before bed. I noticed a slight difference after I showered, but saw a more dramatic difference when I woke up the next day. I let the product continue to develop for 24 hours and took the photos at the same time the next day.
Because this is a deeper tanner and you only need to leave it on for two 2 hours to get noticeable results, I would recommend against sleeping in it or leaving it on overnight.
loving tan 2h express mousse in dark vs platinum results
is loving tan 2h express mousse in dark or platinum better?
Overall, I would recommend the original 2 HR Express Mousse formula in Dark to those with fair skin tones. If you have a medium to dark skin tone or a natural base tan, the Platinum 2 HR Express Mousse will give you noticeable yet natural results.
I am extremely pale with no base tan and while I sometimes get frustrated with the original Dark formula for not giving me as deep of results as I want, I found that the Platinum formula looked a little orange on me.
Comparing the two tanning products in regards to price, formula, application, and results:
The Platinum 2HR Express Mousse costs about $5 more, even though you get the same amount of product.
Both formulas seem virtually identical - minimal scent with a brown color guard to help you apply evenly.
Both also only require 2 hours of application time.
Something Loving Tan is known for is a patchier or streakier application that evens out as it develops. This is definitely true for the original 2HR Express Mousse formulas, but I found that the Platinum formula applied more evenly. Once the tan fully developed, both tans had applied completely - no streaks, patches, or uneven spots - so this isn’t a major issue.
There is a slight “tanner” scent to all Loving Tan products; you start to smell it around the 2HR mark, and because I wash it off before bed, I do smell it a little bit the next day, but it isn’t noticeable to others. If I had to choose, I’d say the Platinum formula had a stronger scent prior to washing it off, but it wouldn’t deter me from using it again.
Loving Tan states that you get immediate color with the Platinum 2 HR Express Mousse. The color guard did give me a bronzer look, but once I washed it off in the shower, I didn’t see much of a difference at all. I had applied this and then showered before bed, and saw the color had developed when I woke up (6 hours later), with maximum results at about the 24 hour mark.
As I mentioned, I found the results of the Platinum formula to pull a little orange on me because I don’t have a base tan. The original Dark formula was a little more natural in tone, but the results were not as dramatic as the Platinum formula.
If you’re torn between the two, I would recommend getting the original 2 HR Express Mousse formula in Dark and leaving it on for longer. When it comes to special events or pre-vacation prep, I like to leave it on for around five hours, applying a second coat halfway through. That gives me the most natural tan similar to if I had been in the sun or on vacation. I follow the original two-hour application timeline as part of my weekly routine for maintaining a tan or during the cooler months.
where to buy loving tan express mousse
Loving Tan formulas are pricier - the original 2 HR Express Mousse formula in Dark retails from $40 to $60 and the Platinum 2 HR Express Mousse costs anywhere from $45 to $65, but there are definitely ways to save money. I highly recommend subscribing on Amazon if you are a regular tanner; you’ll never run out and receive an automatic discount code of 5-10%, so you don’t have to wait for sales. Loving Tan is also sold directly on their website as well as at Ulta, Target, and Nordstrom, so if you belong to any of those loyalty programs, it may be worth it to earn (or use) your points there.
FAQs about loving tan 2 HR express mousse
what shade loving tan 2 HR express mousse should i get?
Get the Dark shade even if you have fair skin; you can always keep the product on for less time for a subtler shade, whereas there’s a limit to how dark you’ll get with Medium. It’s a pricey product, and the darker shade gives you greater flexibility to help increase the value you get out of it. I have tried Ultra Dark and found that formula to be patchy; it is also harder to remove, so I always stick with Dark instead.
can you apply loving tan 2 HR express mousse to your face?
Yes, you can. I don’t only because my skincare basically exfoliates the tan off each night. If you do apply it to your face, I recommend applying it with a brush and only applying it for half the time (one hour).
is loving tan 2 HR express mousse suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. My skin is extremely sensitive and I did not get a reaction. This also didn’t dry my skin out as much as other formulas do.
does loving tan 2 HR express mousse break you out?
Not that I know of. I have not broken out from this product, nor have my friends who are more acne-prone, but I would consult with your dermatologist if you are concerned.
how long does it take for the tan to develop?
You apply the product for two hours, and you may notice a slight tan after washing it off. The tan will be fully developed about 24 hours after application (as seen in my photos).
how long does the tan last?
The tan lasts for about one to two weeks, depending on how hot your shower is and how often you exfoliate your skin. It faded nicely - no patchiness or flakes. I worked out daily, and it still lasted ten days; at that point, it started to fade on my chest and neck primarily. Everywhere else lasted a full two weeks.
is loving tan 2 HR express mousse easy to remove?
Yes, this is one of the easier self-tanners to remove in my opinion. I recommend using an exfoliating mitt at around the ten-day to two-week mark to lightly buff out the tan.
FAQs about loving tan platinum 2 HR express mousse
do you have to be an expert tanner to use platinum 2 HR express mousse?
No; this was just as easy to apply as their other formulas, if not easier, since it was a little less streaky/ patchy. The results are darker, so mistakes are more likely to show, but the formula applies with a color-guard (tinted) so you’ll be able to see exactly where you’re applying tanner.
how natural is the platinum 2 HR express mousse?
This tanner is natural if you have medium to dark skin tones. If you are very pale like me, it might look a little orange.
can you apply platinum 2 HR express mousse to your face?
You can. I don’t, because my skincare basically exfoliates the tan off each night. If you do apply it to your face, I recommend applying it with a brush and only applying it for half the time (one hour).
is platinum 2 HR express mousse suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. My skin is extremely sensitive and I did not get a reaction. This also didn’t dry my skin out as much as other formulas do.
does platinum 2 HR express mousse break you out?
I would consult with your dermatologist, but I did not notice a reaction and my friends who are more acne-prone didn’t, either.
how long does it take for the tan to develop?
You apply the product for two hours, and you may notice a slight tan after washing it off. The tan will be fully developed about 24 hours after application (as seen in my photos).
how long does the tan last?
The tan lasts for about a week, depending on how hot your shower is and how often you exfoliate your skin. It faded nicely - no patchiness or flakes. I worked out daily, and it still lasted a full week.
is platinum 2 HR express mousse easy to remove?
Yes. I recommend using an exfoliating mitt at around the one-week mark to lightly buff out the tan.