You know the drill. You spend forty minutes kontouring your limbs with a mitt, smelling like a digestive biscuit, only to wake up looking like you’ve wrestled a ginger cat. It's frustrating. Most fake tans promise the world but deliver streaks and stained bedsheets. Honestly, when Quick Flick self tan first started popping up on my feed, I figured it was just another brand riding the wave of "clean girl" aesthetics. I was wrong. It’s actually a bit of a disruptor in the Australian beauty space, and for good reason.
Iris Smit, the founder who famously turned down a Shark Tank deal, didn't just want to make another bronzing mousse. She wanted to fix the weirdly specific problems we all have with tanning—like that sticky feeling where your armpits glue themselves together or the fact that you usually have to wait eight hours to see if you've accidentally turned neon orange.
What is Quick Flick self tan doing differently?
The first thing you’ll notice is the texture. They call it "Sun-Kissed" for a reason. Most brands use a heavy, aerated foam that sits on the surface of the skin. Quick Flick self tan uses a formula that feels more like a skincare serum than a paint job. It’s packed with things like Aloe Vera and Kakadu Plum. Why does that matter? Because dry skin is the enemy of a good tan. When your skin is dehydrated, it drinks the DHA (the tanning agent) unevenly. That’s how you get those patchy elbows.
By shoving skin-loving ingredients into the mix, they’ve basically made a product that hydrates while it tints. It’s smart. It’s also scent-locked. If you’ve ever dated someone who complained about the "tan smell," you know the struggle. They’ve used a technology that neutralizes the odor molecules of DHA. It still has a faint scent, sure, but it’s not that cloying, yeasty vibe we’ve grown to tolerate.
The Quick Glow vs. The Long Game
Speed is the big selling point here. We’re busy. Nobody has time to marinate for twelve hours. The Quick Flick self tan "Quick Glow" range is designed to develop in as little as one to five hours. If you want a light "I just spent the weekend in Byron" look, you wash it off in an hour. If you want "I just moved to the Maldives and never plan on coming back," you leave it for five.
It’s flexible. But here is the catch: you have to be honest about your undertones. If you’re pale as a ghost and you try to go for the deepest shade in sixty minutes, you might still look a bit "off." The science of tanning relies on your skin's pH and the concentration of Dihydroxyacetone. You can't rush biology, even with a "quick" formula.
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The Application Secret Nobody Mentions
Everyone tells you to exfoliate. That’s Tanning 101. But what people forget—and what makes a huge difference with the Quick Flick self tan—is the "cool down" period. If you jump straight out of a hot shower and apply tan, your pores are still open. You’ll end up with those tiny dark dots that look like strawberry skin.
Wait ten minutes. Let your body temperature drop.
When you start applying, use the Quick Flick 2-in-1 Mitt. It’s velvety, not scratchy. Start at your ankles and work up. Use whatever is left on the mitt for your hands and feet. Seriously. Don't add more product for your knuckles. Just... don't. You'll regret it when you're trying to scrub it off with a lemon three days later.
Addressing the "Clean" Beauty Elephant in the Room
The term "clean beauty" is thrown around a lot these days, often as a marketing gimmick. With Quick Flick self tan, they focus on being vegan and cruelty-free, which is great, but the real win is the lack of alcohol. A lot of traditional tans use high concentrations of alcohol to make the product dry faster. It works, but it also parches your skin.
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When your skin dries out, the tan cracks. It looks like lizard skin after day four. Because this formula skips the harsh drying agents, the fade-off is actually natural. It doesn't "crack" as much as it just slowly dimishes, like a real tan would. This is a massive relief for anyone who hates the "patchy stage" of fake tanning.
Common Mistakes and How to Pivot
If you do mess it up—and let’s be real, it happens—don't panic.
- The Streaky Leg: If you see a streak while it’s developing, don't try to rub it out with water. Add a tiny bit more mousse to the area and blend it in.
- The Orange Palm: This is why we use mitts, but if you get it on your hands, use an oil-based scrub immediately.
- The Face Dilemma: Should you put Quick Flick self tan on your face? You can, but I’d suggest mixing a pump of it with your evening moisturizer. It dilutes the DHA and prevents it from settling into fine lines or pores.
Is it worth the hype?
Look, it's not magic. It’s still a chemical reaction on your skin. But compared to the old-school foams that leave you feeling like a sticky mess, it's a massive upgrade. It’s specifically good for people who have sensitive skin or those who usually find tanning too much of a chore.
The price point is mid-range. It’s not drugstore cheap, but it’s not luxury boutique expensive either. You’re paying for the formulation and the fact that you won't ruin your white linen sheets. To me, that's worth the extra ten bucks.
Actionable Steps for a Perfect Glow
To get the most out of your Quick Flick self tan, follow this specific timeline instead of just winging it:
- Prep 24 Hours Early: Shave and exfoliate today. Do not do it right before tanning. Your skin needs time to settle so the tan doesn't sink into your hair follicles.
- The "Dry" Zone Check: Apply a tiny bit of oil-free moisturizer to your ankles, knees, elbows, and wrists right before you tan. This acts as a barrier so these dry areas don't soak up too much pigment.
- The Application: Use circular motions. Don't just swipe up and down. Circular motions ensure the product gets into the skin from all angles.
- The First Rinse: When you rinse, do not use soap. Use lukewarm water and just rinse until the water runs clear. Pat yourself dry—don't rub.
- Maintenance: Start moisturizing every single day from day two. This locks the color in and ensures that when it does start to fade, it happens evenly.
Avoid wearing tight leggings or a bra immediately after application. Wear loose, dark clothes. If you can, do it in the evening and let it set while you're relaxing, then rinse before bed if you're using the express version. Your skin will thank you, and your bedsheets will actually stay white.