Garnier Ambre Solaire Gloss Bronzer

...end, I decided to try Garnier Ambre Solaire Gloss Bronzer. To be honest, I picked it because it was the only product on sale at £4.99, originally £8.00. (The product sells at all major supermarkets and chemists.)

I later thought that perhaps this was a bad choice. Surely, if it is on sale so early in the summer season that it can't be very good. Fortunately, I was wrong.

Goodbye freckled arms. Goodbye ghostly skin. ...
...that as a tanning product, Garnier Gloss Bronzer does do exactly what it says.

It is advised that the product is used daily until the desired shade is achieved. After that, apply the gel twice a week to maintain it. Because of my application goof, I decided not to reapply. It took a week for the tan to gradually fade away.

Despite the goof, I would still highly recommend this product. Just be extra careful in applying ... more

I've always dreamed of having a dark brown tan. But instead, I've been annually plagued with lots of brown freckles and red, miserable sunburn.

Not good, especially as this year I've been inspired to venture into sleeveless tops - but with fair-white, speckled arms? No way!

Fortunately, I was desperate enough to dive into the world of self-tanning products. After a shopping trip a few weekends ago, I discovered that there is quite a variety of products on the market - and lots of consumers also curious about them. It took about five minutes before I could manoeuvre my way past other poor pale souls, gazing hopefully at the self tanning section.

Now, I must admit I did use self tanning products about ten years ago. I was never really satisfied, seeing as orange arms and legs were never really the result I wanted. Plus, perhaps even worse, were the orange palms that really stood out, despite trying to meticulously rinse the lotion off of my hands.

So ,as I looked at several tanning products, I was actually quite amazed at the variety of products available on the market today. Lotions, gels, sprays, wipes - there was definitely plenty to choose from.

In the end, I decided to try Garnier Ambre Solaire Gloss Bronzer. To be honest, I picked it because it was the only product on sale at £4.99, originally £8.00. (The product sells at all major supermarkets and chemists.)

I later thought that perhaps this was a bad choice. Surely, if it is on sale so early in the summer season that it can't be very good. Fortunately, I was wrong.

Goodbye freckled arms. Goodbye ghostly skin. Hello, glorious tan!

Garnier's Gloss Bronzer comes in a 125ml tube. It offers a "shimmering effect" plus the benefits of vitamin E and light reflecting particles. It is suitable for the body and offers an even, natural-looking tan with a silky and radiant effect - all within an hour.

Well that's what the tube says.

I was all ready to try the product when I noticed that the directions said to use an exfoliater beforehand. This was new to me - something I never did ten years ago. I didn't have any exfoliater lotions at home so I went out to the chemist and picked up a cream. (Garnier actually have their own exfoliating product, but it wasn't in stock at the chemist.)

It was about noon when I finished exfoliating - it only took five minutes. I opened up the Gloss Bronzer tube and gave it a squeeze. A rich, orange-brown gel emerged, much like the colour of the tube. I began to rub the gel over my right arm and I was quite impressed with how easily it spread. I only really needed to use one or two 20p sized blobs to cover my arm and shoulder.

The gel proved to be quite moisturising and my arms remained soft and silky throughout the tanning process. Even more impressive, was the fact that it didn't rub off on any clothing or furniture.

The gel also had a pleasant scent, that isn't too strong and overpowering. For me, that was a bonus, because I usually stay away from perfumes and scented lotions, but this I could tolerate. It smells like suntan lotion and though it isn't strong it did linger throughout the day and overnight until I showered the next day. While I tanned, I also experience no reaction to the gel, which is also a positive point seeing as I do have sensitive skin.

Another interesting feature is the glitter that is mixed in with the gel. I found it quite helpful as it guided me to see where I put the gel and what parts still needed some. It also seemed to give the illusion of having real tanning oil on as my arms had a delicate sheen to them, especially when outside in the sun or later indoors with the lights on. The glitter didn't come off - it just settled into the skin with the lotion.

I should point out that the glitter effect is minimal - it doesn't look like you are covered in glitter or sand but it does offer a gentle sheen when in the right light that isn't too ridiculous or extravagant.

Before applying the gel to my left arm, I washed my right hand immediately. As I wanted my back of my hand to tan I carefully scrubbed my palm and the gel came off without any problem. A bit of water did get down the back of my hand, but that didn't really affect my hand turning brown. Plus, I knew the lotion was still there because of the glitter sheen.

After applying the gel to my left arm and rinsing my left hand, I put the gel away and basically continued on with my day. Within an hour, I noticed a hint of brown on my arms but it was very faint and only noticeable if I was out of the sun. I was a bit disappointed that my "golden shimmer tan" wasn't there but after a few more hours a change was definitely noticeable. Now we were getting somewhere.

It was about 6pm when I looked at my arms and thought "wow!" Before me, were two lovely, rich brown arms that looked like they were naturally tanned by the sun. I was really pleased, until I looked at my inner arms (like the wrist going up to my inner elbow bend) when I nearly screamed! Despite carefully rubbing the gel in, I STILL managed to get a much defined line separating brown skin and pale white skin. It looked very unnatural, if not a dead give away, to onlookers that this was a self-tan gone wrong.

I debated whether or not to put more gel onto those white areas but decided to leave it. Over the course of the night, my arms continued to get darker and darker and by morning they were a perfect dark brown shade - apart from the white bits. It was only after I showered that they stopped tanning.

If it wasn't for the obvious line between dark and light skin - I would have to say that as a tanning product, Garnier Gloss Bronzer does do exactly what it says.

It is advised that the product is used daily until the desired shade is achieved. After that, apply the gel twice a week to maintain it. Because of my application goof, I decided not to reapply. It took a week for the tan to gradually fade away.

Despite the goof, I would still highly recommend this product. Just be extra careful in applying it so you don't get lines. In the areas that did tan, it was a beautiful and consistent tan without any streaks. It didn't look orange or fake, just a superb, healthy brown tan.

At 125 ml, the tube isn't very large but given the fact that you don't need that much in order to spread, it is good value for the money - either at the sale price or regular price. Obviously, if you are using this product all over (apart from the face as this is labelled "body") you will go though it a bit quicker.

One point that is important to mention is that it doesn't offer any UV protection so if you are like me and burn easily it is probably best to use this indoors on a rainy day. I would hesitate to use this outdoors with a sunscreen on as I'm unsure whether or not the same tanning results would occur.

Overall, if you want a nice, dark tan that is easy to achieve, then this product does deliver. It is like the sun in a tube. Very satisfying, indeed.

Please note: Ignore the star ratings below. They do not apply to this product. I would give this product 4 out of 5 stars.

Product Details:

Garnier Amber Solaire Gloss Bronzer - Body

Self Tanning gel
"Shimmer effect"

Is gloss bronzer right for me?
Yes, if you want to give your body and even natural-looking golden shimmer which develops in just one hour.

How does it work?
The formula contains light reflecting particles which give your skin an instant, ultra natural shimmer. The self tanning agent develops gradually to give your skin a long lasting, even natural-look tan that shimmers. The gel formula dries quickly, leaving your skin silky soft.

How Do I Use it?
Apply evenly on your body. Wash hands well after application. For best results, exfoliate prior to use. Use daily until the desired depth of tan has been achieved and once or twice a week there after.

Caution: Does not contain UV filters. Does not protect from UV light

 

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