Lux Unfiltered N36 Original vs Deep Supernatural Tanning Mousse Review and Comparison
Lux Unfiltered is one of the leading “clean beauty” self-tanning brands. The founder, Sivan Ayla, has talked about wanting self-tanner that easily blends into your life (no pun intended), rather than something you have to schedule and set time aside for. That immediately caught my attention, because I’m all about low-maintenance beauty and hate having to plan out self-tanning time.
I also have fair, sensitive skin and need a self-tanner that gives me a healthy, natural glow without being orange, too subtle, or irritating my skin. The Lux Unfiltered N36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse boasts clean, hydrating ingredients that give you a “European tan” in two different shade formulas - Original and Dark.
Because I typically use the Dark formula of Loving Tan 2H Express Mousse, I decided to try both the Original and Deep formulas of the Lux Unfiltered N36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse to see what gave the best results. I tested these tanners for ease of application, whether or not they give you the dreaded “tanner smell,” the naturalness of the tan, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to remove.
While the results of each were much more similar than I thought, I think I found a clear winner. Keep reading for my full review, results, and side-by-side comparisons of each formula.
lux unfiltered n36 original supernatural tanning mousse before and after
lux unfiltered n36 deep supernatural tanning mousse before and after
lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse review and application tips
The Lux Unfiltered N36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse is an easy self-tanner to apply and use, and the color payoff is subtle yet natural - for both the Original and Deep formulas. 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.
I will say this is the best-smelling self-tanner I’ve ever used; the blood orange scent is fresh without being too sweet or artificial; it also wasn’t too strong or overpowering. I was worried that it would just temporarily mask or eventually clash with the “self-tanner smell,” but you don’t get any of that gross smell with this product (even the next day), which felt like a small miracle.
This product ideally requires 8 hours of application time for maximum results, and the tan will develop for up to 24 hours after. For the sake of this comparison post, I left it on for the 6 hours with a second layer applied 3 hours in. You could get a full 8 hours of application time if you slept in it, but this tanner is definitely on the sticky side, which doesn’t feel comfortable to me to sleep in. The Deep formula was a little stickier than Original.
Regarding results, both formulas give you a natural looking tan - not orange at all. This tanner has “clean” ingredients with a focus on hydration, so the results aren’t as dramatic as some of the other mousses you might be used to (like Loving Tan), but your skin doesn’t feel as dry, either.
The tan lasts a full ten days (even with daily workouts and hot showers), and I’ve never had a streaky or patchy application. It also fades nicely, though it takes a few tries scrubbing in the shower to fully remove it.
tips for applying n36 supernatural tanning mousse
Use a mitt for a streak-free application that won’t stain your hands. I like to use a brush to buff in the product and help blend out trickier areas like elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.
I applied the product at 2pm, left it on for 3 hours, applied another coat, waited another 3 hours, and then showered before bed (6 hours total application time). 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. I repeated this process exactly for each shade - Original and Deep, so the comparisons would be as exact as possible.
This tanner is meant to be kept on for 8 hours for maximum results, so unless you have a down day at home, you probably want to sleep in it overnight. The tanner itself takes a little longer to dry than other mousses I’ve tried, and it does feel slightly sticky, which I don’t love. The Deep formula felt stickier than the Original did.
The blood orange scent is really nice, and it masks the tanner smell quite well. The scent lingers without being overpowering, and you don’t get any “tanner smell” with this product.
The color guard is subtle and did not transfer onto my clothes, but I do recommend wearing darker, loose fitted clothes just in case.
lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse original vs deep results
is lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse in original or deep better?
Both of these formulas were much more similar than I thought they would be, so it comes down to a few subtle differences. Deep felt slightly stickier when applied, and took a little extra exfoliation to remove. Original wasn’t much lighter than the Deep (both in these photo comparisons and in person), so that is what I would recommend if you have sensitive skin or hate the sticky feeling of a self-tanner.
Repurchasing in the future, I would prefer to buy the Original formula and then apply an extra layer - I didn’t think the results of the Deep formula were as dark as I was expecting.
where to buy lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse
Lux Unfiltered is sold at Sephora and Amazon, or directly on the brand’s website. I recommend buying on Amazon for quicker shipping and to save a little (if you subscribe), or from Sephora to earn points through their reward program.
FAQs about lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse
what shade of lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse should i get?
Both formulas of the Lux Unfiltered N36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse provided similar results on my fair skin tone, which surprised me. Unless you want a subtle tan and you have a fair skin tone, I recommend the Deep formula. You can always keep the product on for less time for a lighter tan, especially since this tanner is meant to be kept on for a full 8 hours. The Deep formula required a little more exfoliation to remove, so if you are sensitive to that, get the Original formula.
can you apply lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse to your face?
You can, but the brand also sells tanning drops formulated specifically for your face (see my results and review here). If you do apply it to your face, I recommend applying it with a brush and only applying it for half the time (three hours, approximately).
is lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. My skin is extremely sensitive and I did not have any reaction to this product. This also didn’t dry my skin out as much as other formulas do.
does lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse break you out?
Not in my experience. If you’re acne-prone, you might want to consult with your dermatologist or patch-test it.
how long does it take for the tan to develop?
Directions say to leave the tanner on for 8 hours for maximum results. I wasn’t willing to sleep in this tanner overnight, so I only had it on for 6 hours, with a second layer added halfway through. You may notice a slight tan after washing it off, but the tan will be fully developed about 24 hours after application (as seen in my photos).
how long does the tan last?
Both tans lasted a full week and started fading around the ten-day mark, even with daily workouts and hot showers (which can fade self-tan quicker). Both formulas lasted longer than Loving Tan 2H Express Mousses did.
is lux unfiltered n36 supernatural tanning mousse easy to remove?
Somewhat. I’d say Loving Tan 2HR Express Mousses are slightly easier to remove, for comparison. I noticed both of the Lux Unfiltered mousses started to fade around the ten-day mark, but it took a couple of scrubs in the shower using my exfoliating mitt to get the tan fully removed. Deep was a little harder for me to remove than the Original formula; I think I exfoliated three nights in a row before I felt like I got it all off. I also used the Lux Unfiltered N28 Exfoliating Body Polish - I love the scrub and use it regularly, but I think the mitt does a better job removing self-tanner.
