Been a ciao member for a while, but only log in periodically.
Hoping to become a regular user now -...
Been a ciao member for a while, but only log in periodically.
Hoping to become a regular user now - but find I can only review beauty products and food!
Ah well must expand my repertoire! :-)
Member since:03.06.2001
Reviews:7
I have used this fake tan for quite a long time now (approx 2-3years). I always try different brands when they come on the market, but always move straight back to S Tropez. Its simple - nothing is as good.
THE PRODUCT It is a dark, dark brown colour (which is useful for application) and it comes in 2 different sizes that I am aware of: 4 oz/120ml 8 oz/240ml
THE PRICE 4 oz/120ml - £17 8 oz/240ml - £25
Therefore buy the larger bottle as its better value for money. You are paying over the odds for the smaller bottle.
HOW LONG DOES A BOTTLE LAST
Obviously depends on the size of your body!
I am pregnant at the moment - huge tum etc - and a very pregnant size 14. The 8oz bottle lasts me about 6-8 applications. I do 1 full body application per week (more if I have a special occasion!). Many people just use this on their legs though.
THE SMELL As with all fake tans it has that fake tan smell. Some people liken it to crushed biscuits (I don’t - I am just quoting some friends opinion of the smell HONEST!). I personally just hate the smell of fake tan developing - its a real musty smell. AND NEVER, EVER BELIEVE A FAKE TAN REVIEW
THAT SAYS IT DOESNT SMELL. THEY ALL DO! Some much more than others. St Tropez is at the lower end of developing smells - its bearable but still there.
PRE TAN SKIN PREPARATION Shower and use a good all over body scrub. If you are tanning your face, ensure you have a facial scrub too.
Use a good moisturiser - paying particular attention to heels, knees, knuckles and elbows (as these tend to be the driest parts of the bod and therefore more likely to be darker than the rest of your tan if you don’t moisturise well).
Let the moisturiser sink into your skin for 10-15 mins and then proceed to application.
APPLICATION
You have to apply the fake tan wearing latex or rubber gloves. If you don’t your hands, fingers, nails and palms will be stained. NOT A GOOD LOOK!
Apply over all the areas you want to tan but unlike other fake tans you do not rub in properly.
You rub this tan in as little as possible. I promise even though you look streaky this gives the best effect.
When you have applied this tan to your face and hair line I would take a damp towel or flannel and just rub the excess tan out of your hairline, eyebrows and beards/moustaches (for any boys that are using it - naturally!) as if you don’t you will get an attractive stained look to this hair (the lighter the hair the better the stain).
Then when finished tanning remove the gloves, put a little (10p piece size) blob of tan in the palm of one hand and run your hands together and cover your palms and hands with this small amount.
Then get your flannel and again just clean off the palms of your hands and slightly in between your fingers. Otherwise you will get tell tale fake tan hands.
DEVELOPING
You will look like a lunatic when this tan is developing. As it is applied and is developing you go approx 5 shades darker than you are going to be when you shower this tan off. I wear trousers and long sleeved tops if I HAVE to go out of the house whilst I have this tan on (I try to stay in whilst it is developing to be perfectly honest).
Also wear dark clothes whilst development is underway as the tan rubs onto your clothes. It does wash off, but best not to take any chances that’s what I say.
Ladies - after the tan has been on for about an hour you can apply some make up on your face (I always do this if I have to go out - makes you look less like you have gravy browning on your face and more like you have just come back from somewhere tres tropical!)
You can manage to get the tan less streaky and enable you to wear shorts/skirts during summer if you have shaved/waxed legs. You may want to apply the tan in the morning before going to work to give your English winter legs a glow and have a developed tan by the time you get home!
Just be really careful on application, ensure the skin is well moisturised, and rub the tan in a bit more than you usually would do. You just have to ensure you don’t have any tell tale streaks.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO LEAVE IT TO DEVELOP?
I like to leave the tan on for at least 5-6 hours to develop. Ideally you should leave it overnight for best results. I cannot bear to go to bed with this tan on as it makes your bed sheets orange/brown and the smell keeps me awake!
I wouldn’t wash this tan off in anything under 5 hours as I find the results just are not as good. It is a complete waste of time.
SHOWERING
After you have left the tan to develop get in the shower and wash the tan off. You will be left glowing - EVERYONE always comments on how fab my tan is.
I always wash all over twice in the shower, just to make sure the tan smell goes!
IF IT ALL GOES WRONG/STREAKS
You can either
Buy fake tan removalcloths from st tropez (I haven’t tried them sorry so I don’t know how effective they are)
or
for complete tan removal go swimming at your local pool. Your tan just disappears - honest!
To avoid it all going wrong
exfoliate Moisturise
Just don’t rub it in too much
Ensure even application (get someone to help or pay a professional)
and
Ensure you wipe your hairline and eyebrows!
TAN CARE/PROLONGATION
Use some body lotion twice a day to ensure your skin stays moisturised and this therefore prolongs the tan.
St Tropez recommends using cooler showers when you use this product (apparently hot water makes your tan fade quicker). I don’t know about this - a cold shower is fab when you are in a tropical paradise but not when you are in cold UK! :-)
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
It lasts for me for about 3-4 days.
My skin is quite dry despite moisturising - so I think that if you have softer skin it would last longer.
Again as per tan care keep well moisturised.
AVOID
Body scrubbing - You will buff your tan away
Hot Showers - apparently decreases your fake tans chance of lasting
Swimming - believe me the chlorine just strips the tan away! Complete waste of efforts if you are a regular swimmer!
AFTER THOUGHT
I am 8 months pregnant and have used it all the way through my pregnancy and people tell me that I am glowing.
I am convinced it is the fake tan.
Even in the early months of pregnancy when you tend to feel like poo and look a bit grey I was complemented!
So give it a try - it takes a while to perfect application and get used to applying it, but once you have mastered it you will be addicted!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I could not be waiting around for this fake tan to develop for five hours! Not every 3 to 4 days. Good review however, Hope everything goes okay with the baby. :o)
l1nda 30.06.2004 16:57
very good review. Ive never self taned but if it rubs off on your clothes, stinks and only lasts a few days, is that really a 5 star fake tan?!? If so I dont think I can be bothered!!!
Good luck with the baby. Lin
luckyarchers 07.06.2004 12:49
Good detailed review. Lots of tips noted especially the chlorine one.
St Tropez Tanning Essentials Tinted Self Tanning Lotion Step 3 120ml - St. Tropez tinted ... more
self-tanning lotion works instantly for a streakless application that will last for days. This aloe vera based lotion is non greasy and quick drying, with a relax...
St. Tropez tinted self-tanning lotion works instantly for a streakless application that ... more
will last for days. This aloe vera based lotion is non greasy and quick drying, with a relaxing aromatic scent. Conveniently formulated in one maximum strength sha...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Step 3 of a 3 step system to cleanse, rehydrate and tan your skin! St Tropez Bronzing ... more
Lotion is the most luxurious way to give yourself a radiant tan, with no sun needed! Giving tan instantly and intesifying more over the following 3 hours, this is n...
Postage & Packaging: £2.50 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
St. Tropez Tinted Self Tanning Lotion tans instantly and intensifies over 3 hours, for a ... more
streakless tan that will last for days. Indulges yourself with the richest looking tan, in the most luxurious way, without the sun. This aloe vera based lotion is ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: available
Advantages: nice fragrance, relatively easy to apply. Disadvantages: turned out orange on my own skin, is not completely even and streak free, expensive, messy.
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Jun 3rd, 2004
very helpful by (100%):
