Body

Self Tan Lotion Low Down

February 15, 2010

Self Tanners just get better and better, colour wise. All the Tanners we tried gave beautiful non-orange glows. Sadly, fewer advances have been made in smell, texture and streaking and it’s still possible to get caught out with a mottled result or that awful acrid stench. So we’ve judged stringently based on fragrance, ease of use and even tone.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Smoothing Milk, $28.99

PROS: The smooth spreadable texture, great colour and relatively light smell.

CONS: The streak-ability. If you haven’t exfoliated or you don’t rub this in with enough care, you will get tell-tale colour deposits.

VERDICT: By far the best tanner I tried. This gets top marks for results and longevity, and the moisturising formula keeps skin supple.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Fresh Feel Gel, $28.99

PROS: The colour. This gel gives the best colour by far, really bronzed, not at all orange. Plus the clear gel means no clothes or sheet staining.

CONS: The texture. The gel formula gets a little sticky and needs at least 8 hours to feel ‘dry’.

VERDICT: This gel version of Sublime Bronze gives even better colour (just!) but the texture means it places below the milk.

Joico Skin Luxe Golden Shimmer Gradual Self-Tanner, $28

PROS: The colour develops slowly and is very natural. Being a gradual tanner, it doesn’t streak or give an uneven tone.

CONS: The shimmer. If you apply this lotion and go out in the daylight you WILL look like a disco ball or a Cullen.

VERDICT: Great colour, but I can’t deal with the shimmer, it’s overpoweringly glittery. But, if you like that effect, then this foolproof lotion is for you.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Golden Perfect Self-Tanning Milk for Body, $55

PROS: The texture. This glides on so smoothly. It’s also remarkably streak free.

CONS: The smell. The milk has a distinct whiff of nail polish, which only intensifies throughout the day.

VERDICT: The colour and texture of this are great, but the smell is too strong and chemical-like to overlook.

Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse with Mirabelle Oil, $55

PROS: The smell. Mirabelle Oil is surprisingly pleasant. The mousse applies thickly so it’s easy to see where you’ve been.

CONS: Felt like it took ages to dry, the thick cream leaves a sticky impression.

VERDICT: One of my faves - pleasant smell, hydrating and gorgeous colour, just don’t apply on a particularly humid day or you’ll feel sticky for ages.

Dr LeWinn’s Sunless Self Tanning Lotion, $37.90

PROS: The coconut fragrance and colour - this develops into a gorgeous brown.

CONS: The lightweight formula means you must really pay attention when rubbing it in to avoid streaks.

VERDICT: A goodie - dries quickly, smells nice and leaves a good colour.

St Tropez Everyday Gradual Tanner, $59

PROS: Nice formula and great colour.

CONS: Unfragranced but not too acrid. Don’t use the Medium to Dark colour if you have fair skin like me - I only used once, not everyday as suggests, and I got a really dark colour.

VERDICT: As it wore off, my sloppy application revealed itself in streaks although no one else noticed except me. The colour is gorgeous - I was asked if I’d been on holiday.

So Gossies… there we have it… we’ve been rubbing in self tan lotion for ages to figure out which we like and why. What’s your favourite self tan lotion?

Tamsin & Kate xo