Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun Maintainer

"I am a bronzed Goddess" , or at least I was a few weeks ago, having just come back from a wonderful holiday in Lanzarote. Actually I was just bronzed, as, at just 5ft nothing, I certainly could never be described as a 'Goddess'! Of course, as we all know, those beautiful sun kissed (or for those more sensible ones......sun damaged) looks do tend to fade rather quickly once we get back to the good old British weather that we all love...Hee Hee. This time, however I was determined to make it last !! Hence I decided to try Ambre Solaire after Sun Tan Maintainer.(Now known as Garnier Ambre Solaire)

I purchased my 150ml tube from Sainsbury's, it was on a special offer at just 5.99 GBP. (normally retails at between 6.99 and 7.50).

On the back of the tube it does ask if this product is right for you ? It advises that it is ideal if your skin needs rehydrating and if you want to prolong and 'intensify' your suntan. It has been especially devised to rebalance and rehydrate overheated skin....Yep this is definitely for me !

The way it works is that it contains a very low level of self tan, it will subtly enhance and even deepen your existing tan. It contains Glycerol and vitamin E thus hydrating your skin and helping to prevent peeling, leaving your skin soft and smooth.It is dermatologically tested and suitable for both the face and the body.

Right, I've showered and am ready to 'Enhance', For once in my life I have decided to read the instructions, something I never normally do and has resulted in a great many disasters ! Simply apply on to clean skin avoiding the eyebrows and the roots of your hair and wash your hands after application.

Well time is now moving on and I am due to go to work soon so best get going then !! I smoothed the pleasant smelling, non greasy, milk all over my body, I have used it quite sparingly and it spreads quite nicely so I think a little will go a long way.

By the time I have done this I have little time to spare so hurriedly dress and rush out the door to work, I am assuming it will take a while to 'develop' as there are no immediate results.

Isn't it flattering when you see people for the first time after a holiday and they all comment "you've gone a lovely colour", well that's exactly what people said to me when I got to work and, of course I was chuffed. It did help that I had worn the obligatory white T-shirt, I'm sure we all do that, white shows your tan off .

Okay, so far so good, however after about an hour at work, my friend suddenly asked me what I had got all over my T-shirt, puzzled I looked down...........and was mortified.........I had rusty fingerprints all over my previously pristine white shirt......yep, you got it, I had been in such a hurry to get to work I had forgotten the 'golden rule' always wash your hands after application. Of course by then my tan had started to develop, I have to say it was subtle and a lovely colour (it did help that I was already a lovely bronze shade) and had worked well, however I did have to admit to my work colleagues that I had....err.....helped it along a little, and they all had a good giggle at my expense !! My hands, by the way, looked a bit of a mess as they had gone a little brown and rusty around the nails and the lotion had collected in the lines of my palms so much so that a palmist could have read my palms from a distance !!

Overall this is a very good product, it does what it says on the packet and enhances a natural tan perfectly. It is recommended that you use it on a daily basis for the first week and twice a week thereafter.My skin is left feeling very soft and it does have a lovely soothing effect after the heat leaving a very subtle yet fragrant smell, it takes about 15 minutes to dry, sinking into your skin quite quickly,it takes about an hour to develop and you are left with a lovely glow. I did not get any streaking, other than on my hands, but I think you would get streaks if you did not rub it in well.The bright blue packaging is also recyclable so environmentally friendly too.

So there you have it , but, please always make sure you wash your hands after using it !!!!!!!

More information about garnier and associated products can be obtained from their helpline:

Tel: 0845 399 0404 (UK)
Tel: 1850 604 404 (EIRE)

Or by writing to Garnier theirselves :
London w6 8AZ