We used Diet Coke as tanning oil and plan to be caramel messes all summer because it kind of worked

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We used Diet Coke as tanning oil and plan to be caramel messes all summer because it kind of worked

Are we basic yet?

Diet Coke is just one of those things you fuck with. I mean, honestly, there’s some magic in coming off as semi-healthy while enjoying the refreshing taste of carbonated caramel coloring.

When we heard that it could actually be used as a self-tanner, it was a total game changer. Looking hot and drinking zero calories? Sign us up, baby, the future is now. And with regular fantasies about Diet Coke, the concept of pouring it all over ourselves wasn’t jarring in the slightest.

Time to dive in.

Step one: Preparation

Walking into a store to buy six cans of soda, we felt sort of like we were about to go pass them out at a protest – Kendall Jenner style. If anything could bring world peace, it would be Diet Coke, not shitty, plain ol’ Pepsi. Despite everything, we walked out with the goods and headed up to the roof of our building in bathing suits.

We decided that the most “scientific” way to do this (don’t forget, babe loves science) was for both of us to put the Diet Coke on just half of our bodies, and compare the results.

Step two: Cracking open a cold one with the girls

After taking at least a hundred pictures for our Instagrams, we decided it was time to get to business. Tossing aside our towels, we began by pouring the beverage into our cupped hands and rubbing it onto our bodies. Then it transitioned to pouring it waterfall-style directly onto ourselves.

The Diet Coke wasn’t as sticky as we expected, probably because it doesn’t really have any sugar (bonus). It absorbed well into our skin and provided a nice tint before the actual tan. I’m calling it: Diet Coke is the next bronzer trend.

Step three: Relocation because it got too porny

Maybe we should have seen this coming, but building management came up and kicked us out for not being “properly dressed.” Apparently children live in the building too or something?? Sorry the female body offends you so much. SMH.

In retrospect, wearing bikinis and pouring Diet Coke on ourselves while someone photographed us was probably a little sketchy for the security guard watching us. Regardless, we wrapped ourselves in towels and took a leisurely stroll down the streets of Brooklyn in search of a park.

If anything, the most important lesson we learned today was to have confidence while walking through New York looking like we just got out of the shower. Babes who don’t give a fuck, am I right?

Step four: Once we got rid of the haters

Once we got to the park, we reapplied some Diet Coke and documented our journey on our Snapchat stories. Our skin felt smooth, primed and ready to soak up the sun. After everything, it was actually pretty relaxing just being able to chill out, once again, for science of course.

We also received some interesting responses via Snapchat, to say the least:

Step five: The ultimate question

Did this actually do anything? Or did we cover ourselves in Diet Coke for no reason? Who will earn the final rose on this season of The Bachelorette? All important questions.

We can’t officially tell you the answer to the last one, but we can provide picture evidence of our rather interesting experiment.

Comparison: Left side Diet Coke, right side no product Comparison: Left side Diet Coke, right side no product

Conclusion

Ultimately it’s up to your own interpretation, but we think there’s minor evidence that suggests that it does actually work as a self-tanner. Maybe it’s the caramel coloring, maybe it’s Maybelline.

That’s not to say that you should go pouring Diet Coke on yourself everyday though – it dried up pretty quick, and probably isn’t the best for your skin tbh.

At the end of the day, you’ll probably get some pretty sick Instagram pictures and a mild tan. We heard coconut oil is a good alternative too – but maybe we should stick to old-fashioned tan lotion.

@sampeggywolf