It’s nearly August and we haven’t mentioned Fake Tan, how can that be? I guess it’s because due to Miranda’s exotic travels she has a seemingly all-year-round glow (yes, completely unfair) Lauren with her alleged uncooked baguettes is actually allergic to the main skin-changing-colour chemical Dihydroxyacetone (that’s got to be really annoying) so I guess that leaves just me. And this is the first summer where frankly, covering myself in biscuit scented goop has never been less appealing, I just don’t have the bloody time for all the associated faff.
I say faff, I’ve actually got my application down to a fine art. I simply exfoliate the evening before and apply body lotion (I am currently favouring Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub followed by The Body Shop Coconut butter) and then the following day I simply shower and don’t do/apply anything – just the tanner lotion. I used to find any kind of direct pre-product would make the results patchy, I figured it was because whatever it was that was “left” on my skin was having an adverse effect.
Last year I was very much into Dove gradual tanner, in fact it’s really only gradual tanners I use. I’m fair skinned with almost white blonde hair so a mahogany hue would look plain wrong – I like to be able to “build” up to a suitable shade of golden. Due to my current post-pregnancy body shape I’m not about to throw on a bikini anytime soon and to be honest, holidays were the main time I would consider faking it – I’ve mentioned on more than one occasion, being pale doesn’t bother me particularly.
However, I was on my weekly trip to Boots and there was a 3 for 2 offer on Palmer’s Cocoa Butter range, I picked up my regular stretch mark massage lotion (for the record I don’t have stretch marks, it’s simply a lovely body moisturiser) and after recalling a reader mentioned the brand’s “Natural Bronze” gradual tanner was pretty awesome I decided to give it a whirl. It was after all kind of free. And even if it wasn’t it’s still under a fiver which makes it budget friendly too.
Oh my. I was SUPER impressed with the results. It might just be the best fake tan I have ever used. No dryness, no blotchy bits, and to top it off the colour was amazing, definitely swaying towards a bone fide one-go tanner rather than gradual but not quite. The rich few-days-at-beach shade meant I didn’t feel the need to apply it again at all which is a huge plus for me.
I’ve used the product on four different occasions now which I felt was adequate in order for me to give a review and every single time I’ve achieved great results. It’s lush. I love it.
There is one negative I must point out – it still gives off a rather unpleasant smell, much like stale hobnobs. Your ben linen will then also be scented with a rather off-putting aroma until you bung it in the wash. I don’t see how this issue will ever be resolved, unless they discover an alternative epidermis darkening chemical of course. Let’s hope they do for Lauren’s sake eh?
What fake tan would you recommend folks?
Any fail safe application techniques you care to share?
Good old St Tropez Bronzing Mousse, applied with a mitt as recommended by the lovely lady that does my nails. Amazing finish, no blotches, no orange heels or hands. Love it.
Mel J I meant to ask if anyone had used a mitt!! do you just kind of bung on the fake tan to the mitt and then rub in…or put the tan on your limbs and then rub in with the mitt?!
Honestly some of the best beauty advice ever… I whack it onto a mitt and then rub in(sometimes a little over enthusiastically and I find it splattered on the bathroom walls). It looks really dark brown when you put it on and I had a mild coronary on my first go, but it washes off to a lovely natural colour. I read somewhere that it reacts with your own melanin to give you a tan you would ‘naturally’ achieve, but I’m not sure how much I believe that! Big positive of the initial brown colour is that you can see where you’ve put the stuff so no gaps/streaks. It also lasts about 2 weeks.. Love love love low maintenance.
Will defo try the mitt, St Tropez didn’t work for me unfortunately – I found it drying. You can’t beat the colour payoff though!
Hang on boots three for two!?!? well I know where I’m going straight from work.
I love the colour of the Palmers one but for some reason, I have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell and if I put it on, I can just smell it ALL DAY. Which… bleugh 🙁
Ha ha ha! I put it on at night so I can rinse off the next morning – I can’t bear the smell either. Mixed with perfume it’s even worse.
Red-head here, so by nature, ridiculously pale. However, I’m absolutely useless at applying any kind of tan – whether it be an instant tan or gradual. I used to use the Garnier Summer Body Glow, but because it just looks like normal moisturiser, it’s very hard to know where you’ve applied too much/too little. Therefore I ended up with very brown feet and ankles, yet completely un-touched elsewhere…! Not a good look. I’m always a bit wary of going with an instant tan, mainly because it would be very obvious I’ve gone fake – my legs have been out all summer so far and they are still pale (despite burning my knees?!) Any suggestions for a light instant tan?
Hi Jo, I’ve heard Sally Hansen spray is very good for legs – it also covers bruises/veins etc. The Rimmel one also comes in a light shade too – I used to use it a lot when my legs were out more 🙂 x
The Sally Hansen airbrush legs is indeed fabulous and the colour is build-able so you can achieve a very subtle effect. I use it quite often to make my legs match the rest of me (they rarely see the sun and never tan). It has a lovely concealing effect too, as Charlotte said – a bit like wearing very thin denier tights. Awesome!
Tips for applying:
– make sure you’re not wearing any rings (I always forget to take mine off)
– give it a good shake
– spray a little into the palm of your hand (it’s a bit violent at the beginning, watch out for splash back!)
– don’t be scared by the dark colour, on your legs it’s completely different
– rub all over using a circular motion (up and down more likely to cause streaks)
I usually start with my shins and avoid my knees/ankles at first and then do a quick swipe over them when there’s just a teeniest bit left on my hands.
It hasn’t come off on my clothes, or my sheets, in fact it’s been known to survive a bath on me unless specifically washed off. (and fooled me into thinking my legs actually were that colour!)
Wow super tips Kate thanks so much! I don’t have any anymore but am going to definitely buy some on my next trip to Boots! x
I have been using cocoa brown and love it! It was developed by an Irish lady so perfect for my pale English rose skin. It’s a wash off mousse, which takes 1-3 hours to develop into a gorgeous natural colour. It also truly has only the faintest biscuit smell whilst on, plus, as you wash it off so soon, it definitely doesn’t linger. The added bonus of the wash off, is no stained sheets. Honestly cannot rave about this enough…..
I’d just like to give a plus one to the cocoa brown. It’s really great!
Sarah I’ve never heard of this, where can you purchase? x
I get mine at feelunique….it’s about £7 and a bottle does about 4-5ish full applications….
Super thanks – my favourite beauty website 🙂
My fave builder one is Garnier Summerbody – mainly because it DOESNT smell of biscuit at all. It kind of smells nice – but when you get used to it and sleep in it it doesnt stay your favorite smell for long… but so much better than biscuit. Also does build quite a nice tan but the smell really is the main thing. I’m with Mel though for a stronger one I’ve not found one better than St Tropez (been a fave since Victoria Beckham reccomended it in 1999ish) and with a mit is so easy and quick to put on and comes out super-even. I love that it doesnt go orange and I like the colour most on ‘the second day’. Love the Palmers lotions though so tempted to give that one a try.
I think Garnier is the only one I’ve not tried Amanda, and if the results are as good as Palmers but the smell is better I’d be thrilled! x
I’ve used Garnier Summerbody on and off for the last few years – I find it great for my arms and the front of my thighs and feet but it’s always streaky elsewhere – why is it so difficult?
I bought St Tropez mouse for the first time this year when it was on offer and loved it (am down with the whole scoosh on mitt and rub in action) but it’s jolly expensive. I was using the lesser priced St Moriz which I got in Savers which is grand for something so cheap but a bit whiffy!
P.S. love your 3 for 2 ….. it was all kind of free comment 🙂
Lynn I am the Queen of cosmetic purchasing justification 🙂
Dove all the way for me! I’m fair as opposed to pale, but still look fake with too much tanner. The medium to dark scared me initially but the lighter version failed to produce any results and actually I’m kind of used to the smell! My only problem, similar to Jo is the pale legs thing! Where the rest of my bod picks up the sun a little, my legs stay the same colour all.year.round! Might give Sally H a trial though as I also have an issue with the gradual tanner on my legs if you need to fit in a post leg exposure shave! just whips off the top layer of bronzed skin! Am a massive fan of Palmers though – have you tried their face cleanser? It is lovely!
OOoh no Maddy, I don’t think I even knew they did a face cleanser?! do they stock it with the body lotions or in the skincare aisle?
My lower legs have never tanned (I don’t lie in the sun these days due to ageing/prior melanoma but even when I did). Defo try the Sally Hansen, after Kate’s super helpful advice above I’m going to buy myself a new bottle ASAP x
Just looked up Cocoa Brown (I’d never heard of it before either ) and it has great reviews!
I know! I ordered some from Feelunique last night, for £7 you can’t go wrong! x
I have de- lurked purely to check which Cocoa brown product you are talking about! I am on the feel unique website and there are a few… Is it the 1hour mousse or the instant wash off one? Thanks ladies!
oooh I do love a de-lurker 🙂 Welcome Jo! I bought the 1 hour mousse (1 hour for light tan, 2 hours medium, 3 hours dark…then wash off) have yet to use but will be trying it out Sunday night in preparation for my holiday! (it was 6.99 by the way – I bought the smaller size to try out) x