20 Best Self Tanner For Very Pale Skin (Jan 2023 Update)

First, the application is fine, it’s a wet formula and goes on well. The smell however is awful, not just while it’s on, but for 48 hours and two showers later bad. I actually felt the need to apologize to people for how I smelled. My husband said it was disgusting. I have tried about 15 different self tanners for reference so definitely not a newbie. I had to put the color on two days in a row to get a tan, and then even now I’m not very tanned, hence the low rating. If I’m gonna smell the product should at least make me dark, and this fell very very short!!! I’m impressed with how natural it looks on hands and feet, and the color is at least a good color not orange, but if you want a dark tan, this is not for you. I also don’t want to bother with a self tanner that requires two applications for little payoff. I’m truly disappointed. I also purchased the ash one and I am hoping it’s better for color depth, though now I haven’t the highest hopes. I also ordered the coconut water one almost 3 weeks ago and it is lost in the mail with no communication from the company on what they are going to do to rectify and ensure I receive my product. Let’s hope the other products are better.Cammie H.

For some reason the picture that it shows is different than the actual product. But what I’m reviewing is the hydra glow slew serum. It’s also a mine tan product, but it’s not for tanning, it’s just to improve the skin. I really like it, but for some reason it causes my skin to break out. If it weren’t for that I’d use it all the way up.olivia.e

I've been trying to find a good replacement for my (previous) favorite I can no longer buy. The journey was rough, but this color is amazing. You could also totally wear this out and about and not look dirty. It didn't fade as evenly as I would have liked, but the color alone is worth the extra upkeep. Of course I had to try the violet too, which I'm wearing now and love also. Hurry up with that dark ash release, I'm ready to give you more of my money! Lol, truly happy I found you.Shannon H.

The 'Classic' shade is the perfect color for light/fairer folks! Most tanners come out super orange on me, this one is the least orangey I've come across. Even better than when I tried a full spray tan. You MUST use a mitt, it's the best hack ever for a smooth application and I wish I would have known about them years ago! Would have saved me from many streaks and dyed palms. It also allows you to get a clean line along/under the jaw, which creates a natural looking contour since I don't use the tanner on my face. I prefer a foam to an over-time lotiony type, so this is perfect for me. It darkens a bit over time, but since its mostly instant you can see any unevenness as you are applying. Exfoliate/shave a day or two before. Pile on lotion to elbows, knees, ankles right before applying. Foam goes on decently non-sticky. Buff buff buff with the mitt, circular motions going with the grain of any body hair. If you do get any spots on the fingers/toes, wipe with some nail polish remover right away and that should take any color off. Color lasts at least a week+ if you are careful to not exfoliate much.Katy

I have used St. Tropez Classic for years and found it to be the best self tanner out there for my fair-medium freckled skin. After buying a recent bottle its clear the formula has changed drastically. The foam was very yellow instead of the brown color it usually is. When you put it on you turn yellow. Another reviewer described it as jaundiced and that's exactly it. After reading a review that said the same about the yellow color I immediately hopped in the shower to get it off quickly. Its terrible. I'm not sure what they did to the previous formula, but in Spring 2022 this is WAY off. I tried Tanologist (Dark, even though I lean fair-medium) and while its not what St. Tropez used to be, I'm happy with it since few self tanners get outstanding reviews. Skip this this spring/ summer and find another option.Lori

I'm liking this for quite a few reasons. It's easy to apply – much easier than the lotion and dries pretty quickly (less than 2 minutes on my skin). Not pricey, maybe a bit more than other tanning lotions and products but it's definitely worth paying that small amount extra as when comparing it to other brands; this product has the least streaking and most natural looking color, not orange, just a nice golden hue. Bonus: there is no funny smell left on your skin once you have washed it off. I find one full bottle lasts me for approximately 6 full body applications which makes it more than worth it for me. It is very much on the 'chemical' side which is the only reason I haven't given it a full 5 stars, but if you're not overly concerned about that kind of thing then definitely give this a try. -> My ‘Nordstrom Beauty Top 7 must-have list’ (My 7 favorite beauty products of all time, focusing mainly on my purchases at Nordstrom) <- < 1. Hair Loss Treatment: Divine Herbal Hair Oil < 2. Concealer: ‘Mac’ – Studio Finish Concealer < 3. Lip Gloss: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil < 4. Mascara: ‘Lancome’ – Cilis Booster XL < 5. Anti-Aging Serum: Divine Herbal Facial Treatment Serum < 6. Mask: ‘Eve Lom’ – Radiance Transforming Mask < 7. Face Scrub: ‘Sisley' – Botanical Gentle Buffing CreamSelenaLopez

If you have fair skin like me and want a natural looking tan, this is the product for you. If you want a super dark tan, this is not for you. There is a green tinted guide color in the mousse to help you apply evenly so you will look extra dark and streaky until you rinse off in the shower. Once it washes off it's obviously lighter but more natural looking. Then it gets a little darker over the next 8 hours or so. The people complaining about it being streaky when first applying and color washing off in the shower didn't read the description on the bottle because it's supposed to do that. Also yes, I agree it is sticky and has a smell until you rinse off but I've never tried a self tanner that doesn't have that. I put on loose clothes after a couple mins despite the stickiness and have never had issues with transfer. I always apply it when I plan to not leave the house for a few hours. I've tried a lot of self tanners and have stuck to this one for the last year because it's the easiest to apply (because of the guide color), has the best end result color (not orange), and I like that I only have to have it on for 3 hours. I apply once a week and the big bottle lasts me over 2 months.Ali429

The self-tanner itself is a fantastic product. Beautiful and easy to blend. And simple to put on. The smell is passable-neither its fantastic not awful, but it doesn't matter. I have really sensitive skin and its gentle on it. Neither a burning not itchy sensation. Didnt produce any inflammation or pain. The tan has a nice, silky mousse consistency. Sharp lines are simple to perceive, and you can tell where you have applied it. Many additional tanning treatments,including ad moisturizers, make it difficult to detect where you have applied them, preventing the formation of sharp lines once you have browned. You have varied time restrictions while using self-tanner depending on the shade you want. If your skin is very fair, one hour will give you a faint tan. It takes 2 hours to achieve a lovely medium look, and three hours to achieve your distinctive look if you have dark skin. Other then that, the self-tanner is a simple and quick product. I would definitely advise you to purchase!!!Taniesha10

I first tried St Tropez about 15 years ago when self tanning at home started to trend more, it was the best then and it's the best now. I've tried all the major brands over the years, the expensive £30 ones and the cheap £5 ones and none of them compare to the OG – St Tropez. The formula is so silky it simply glides onto your skin and blends so well with a mitt, it really is fool proof. It smells nice as you apply, it's not overwhelmingly fragranced. I won't deny there is the tell tale fake tan smell as it develops but I just think whatever brand and whatever the packaging boasts you cannot get away from the smell, however with the St Tropez it isn't as strong. I leave it on overnight as I like a darker tan which this achieves without looking orange. It develops to suit my skin tone. It fades pretty evenly without going patchy, but you often get a build up in the creases of your body, again that's the same with all tan so I often scrub these areas a bit harder of loosen with a body oil. I highly recommend it.Charlotte

I have a VERY light complection so the sun and I are not compatible. I wear shorts and my legs glow in the dark so I really like to use a sunless tanner. I've tried all different kinds of sunless tanners and orange is not my color. This tanner does not leave me orange and I've even got compliments on it from good friends that aren't afraid to tell me like it is. Lol. You HAVE to exfoliate your skin before using ANY sunless tanner or you will have streaks. I followed the directions and used latex gloves for application. A small amount goes a long ways. It takes two to three applications to get the darkness I want. (Light to medium darkness) and then a small amount after showers to maintain it. It is pricey but I think it's worth it since everything else turns me orange. I really like this product.pinkwater62

I love this product. I am a fair skinned red head so finding a natural product has been tough… and I have tried! The product smells fantastic during and AFTER application, leaves few streaks with common sense application and last 3-5 days. Just perfect for a sun kissed look!jodi.s

This is my favorite tanning lotion I've tried yet. Have already bought 3 bottles. It doesn't leave you streaky or orange at all. Good for your face as well . It doesn't smell bad either. Has a light citrus kind of smell.it delivers awesome and even color. I won't buy any other tanning lotion but tan physics.angie.m

This self tanner didn’t irritate my skin but it did make me orange and stained my nails! You need to wear gloves with this…in the directions it says simply wash your hands. Also it came out streaky and uneven. I don’t recommend sleeping with this on. I will never use this again. I had a horrible experience. The three stars are only because it didn’t cause me any allergic reaction. Maybe there is a special technique but this didn’t work for me at all. I’m blonde and have a fair skin tone.Monica

The color of this is nice, not Orange like some. Also it absolutely still have a scent but it is very mild and not bad – kind of like a coconut sunscreen type smell? Works well and I like how it’s not a drastic change, but gradual and subtle. I will continue using 🙂Heather H.

I was super excited to try when I got this product. I’ve used it a total of 4 times, I like the color however after only using it 4 times my skin started to react to the product. I broke out in hives. I became super itchy, it started on my legs, continued up my belly and then to my arms. I liked the “tan look” but it came off in the areas where I had intense itching. I have small scabs on my legs from itching so bad, I had to use hydrocortisone cream to help relieve the itching.Kat B.

The St. Tropez Self-Tan Luxe Whipped Créme Mousse gave me a beautiful “I just got home from vacation” glow! I applied the mousse directly on one leg and quickly spread the product in circles using the double sided luxe tan applicator mitt, then repeated the process on the second leg. Once I felt confident that I knew I was doing I did my arms, chest, stomach, lower back, and only needed a little bit of help to get between my shoulder blades. For the hands I recommend creating a claw and just using the excess product so that you don’t end up with hands that are too dark. Honestly it saved me so much time and a trip to the tanning salon. The tanning mitt is an absolute must, you simply wash it with soapy water after you’re done applying to the body and it looks like new! You will notice a difference immediately and the tan gradually develops throughout the day. I don’t recommend wearing white immediately after tanning because it will stain your clothes, and just like most tanning products have a distinct scent, this one does too. The tan lasts several days so definitely worth it! Make sure to exfoliate in the shower before applying on clean / moisturized skin!Yadi113

Gifted by St. Tropez. I'm a big fan of the original limited edition version of this self tanner and was so sad when it was sold out before I bought a back up. Fortunately, I still have some of my old can and was able to do a side by side test to see what (if any) differences there are between the original and the new version. TLDR: not the same but 95% similar. Divisive between my husband and I, he prefers new shade and I still prefer older can. There's an immediate shade difference recognizable from just dispensing the product onto the tanning mitt which originally put me off. One thing that was so amazing with the first version was how olive toned it was – made it much more natural looking than typical orange tanners. This new version color guard is very orange and unappealing. I left my tanner on my legs for 12 hours before I washed it off. The results were completely unexpected – almost the exact same color. Honestly, based on how it went on I was ready for extreme disappointment (and embarrassment for having two different color legs). The difference is really in the undertones and really only if you're looking for a difference. My husband didn't even realize I had two different shades on until I pointed it out. There's also a slight difference in depth, the new version is deeper and I feel has more opacity to it (or maybe I just applied a fuller layer of it), which also added more dimension. It seems more like a flushed out tanned beach body versus a natural shade up progression. Moving away from comparing old and new and just focusing on the new can. I don't like this packaging, I felt like it was harder to dispense the product than previous nozzle versions. Love the mitt, St. Tropez has the best mitts hands down. It's a strong formula that doesn't make my skin feel dry and it lasts over a week without even thinking of needing a touch up.Sweetasacupkatie

I never thought I would be a user of self tanners because of my fear of a ending up with a streaky/ orange tan. However after going through the diagnosis and treatment for Invasive Melanoma last year, my days of being in the actual sun have ended and that is how I discovered Bondi Sands. After spending HOURS on line researching reviews for self tanning lotions the reviews for Bondi Sands I found to be the most consistent and so I ordered it and tried it myself. I am VERY fair complected and so I have only used the light/medium and it provides me THE PERFECT amount of color. I use the Bondi Sands application mit and even from my very first application (which the first time even for ANY self tanner) I had not one single streak and the perfect glow of color. I can even say that I did notice a spot that I had missed on my leg with my first application and so I took a chance and reapplied about 6 hours after the first application and EVEN THEN my color was PERFECT! Not even a hint of overlapping color! I cant say enough how much I love this stuff! It has been completely idiot proof for me and I cant recommend it enough! I havent had a single streak or any hint of orange at all! However, do believe that the key is using the application mit.sherri

I was pretty skeptical of this even with the reviews. Surely it had to be orange or streaky or messy, right? Shockingly no. It goes on very easily, dries right away, and isn’t messy. Any streaks that happen disappear instantly when you swipe the mitt over them again. During the stage between applying it and washing it off it will leave a small amount of residue on any fitted piece of clothing, so wear something you don’t care about when applying. It also seems like the bottle will last a really long time. I barely made a dent in it and I did my torso as well. I’ll be interested to see if it is clothing-safe after it has been washed off. I included a picture of it with one leg done to compare. Obviously this was immediately after applying so it wasn’t as dark as it got, but I was impressed with how natural it looked right away. If you’re on the fence like I was, go for it! You won’t be disappointed.EL Summers

A little disappointed. I love the Pure foam but wanted to try a new product. This one does not compare to Pure for me. It comes off within 2 days, it is very sticky. And it leaves residue EVERYWHERE. My sheets, my clothes, my freaking toilet seat haha! Anyway I love Pure, so im just going to go back and consider this purchase a waste of money. Its immediate results so maybe its good for like a quick tan if you need it that day. But i HIGHLY suggest only wearing black clothing if this is your quick tan fix.Cori

The 'Classic' shade is the perfect color for light/fairer folks! Most tanners come out super orange on me, this one is the least orangey I've come across. Even better than when I tried a full spray tan. You MUST use a mitt, it's the best hack ever for a smooth application and I wish I would have known about them years ago! Would have saved me from many streaks and dyed palms. It also allows you to get a clean line along/under the jaw, which creates a natural looking contour since I don't use the tanner on my face. I prefer a foam to an over-time lotiony type, so this is perfect for me. It darkens a bit over time, but since its mostly instant you can see any unevenness as you are applying. Exfoliate/shave a day or two before. Pile on lotion to elbows, knees, ankles right before applying. Foam goes on decently non-sticky. Buff buff buff with the mitt, circular motions going with the grain of any body hair. If you do get any spots on the fingers/toes, wipe with some nail polish remover right away and that should take any color off. Color lasts at least a week+ if you are careful to not exfoliate much.Katy

I'm liking this for quite a few reasons. It's easy to apply – much easier than the lotion and dries pretty quickly (less than 2 minutes on my skin). Not pricey, maybe a bit more than other tanning lotions and products but it's definitely worth paying that small amount extra as when comparing it to other brands; this product has the least streaking and most natural looking color, not orange, just a nice golden hue. Bonus: there is no funny smell left on your skin once you have washed it off. I find one full bottle lasts me for approximately 6 full body applications which makes it more than worth it for me. It is very much on the 'chemical' side which is the only reason I haven't given it a full 5 stars, but if you're not overly concerned about that kind of thing then definitely give this a try. -> My ‘Nordstrom Beauty Top 7 must-have list’ (My 7 favorite beauty products of all time, focusing mainly on my purchases at Nordstrom) <- < 1. Hair Loss Treatment: Divine Herbal Hair Oil < 2. Concealer: ‘Mac’ – Studio Finish Concealer < 3. Lip Gloss: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil < 4. Mascara: ‘Lancome’ – Cilis Booster XL < 5. Anti-Aging Serum: Divine Herbal Facial Treatment Serum < 6. Mask: ‘Eve Lom’ – Radiance Transforming Mask < 7. Face Scrub: ‘Sisley' – Botanical Gentle Buffing CreamSelenaLopez

I hardly ever write reviews, which I know I should since I rely heavily on reviews when online shopping… but felt compelled to leave a comment because of two reviews I read here. One comment mentions that this tanner “washed away” when it comes in contact with water, and another mentions the “green tint” they got. These are not product flaws, that’s literally what it’s supposed to do. There is a purposeful tint that acts as a GUIDE for application. It’s SUPPOSED to be slightly greenish and it’s SUPPOSED to wash off lol. The guide helps you see where you’ve applied the tanner so you don’t miss a spot or don’t blend somewhere. The color develops over 8 hours (when it shouldn’t get wet), then you rinse or wash the guide color off. Very simple instructions on the bottle that explain that. That being said, St. Tropez is among the best self tanners available. I’ve been using it for years and years and it’s still my favorite. I’m pale with red hair and blue eyes and burn very easily, so I layer on the sunscreen, but I hate being pale/basically translucent. So I use St Tropez year round. One application every 3 weeks or so in the winter, and every 1-2 weeks in the summer (depending on how dark I want to be) helps me easily maintain a natural looking tan that’s long lasting. I honestly might buy two of these jumbo bottles. I’ve only ever seen this side during the anniversary say and it’s a fantastic value. One bottle should last me the rest of the summer and the other hurtle for fall-spring. Usually I buy a new bottle every couple of months! A small price to pay for being able to look and feel my best without the risks of sun exposure!SCS2022

In reference to my title "why are you so orange?" this was a question posed to me by my grandmother when she saw me this morning and sadly I'm in agreement with her HOWEVER it doesn't mean this is an entirely bad product and I will explain why. Firstly and perhaps most importantly (for me anyway) is Bondi Sands stance on what it means for a product to be pure… with the rise in products containing natural ingredients, being vegan friendly and containing responsibly sourced ingredients brands have started demonising chemicals such as parabens and fragrance which are perfectly safe for use on skin by calling them "nasties" and "toxic". Bondi Sands Pure pertains mostly to it's responsibly sourced and recyclable packaging saying that you can pop the bottle straight in the recycling bin when it's done, they've also made it clear that the ingredients they've left out are ingredients that are troubling for some individuals such as fragrance- some people find fragrance triggers migranes for them for example but fragrance is of course skin safe. It was refreshing to see a well known brand being responsible with the word Pure and what it means for their products. Now a little disclaimer before I talk about application, I did a weeks worth of preparation, I moisturised daily, exfoliated a couple times, shaved and made sure dry areas were moisturised prior to tan application but I do have an ongoing issue with Keratosis Pilaris (KP) think chicken skin but as a skin condition. I've had this since having my baby last year and I'm trying to tackle it but this can be an issue when it comes to the overall finish of a self tan. The instructions are printed crystal clear on the back of the product's very attractive bottle, nice easy steps, just squeeze straight onto the skin and distribute in sweeping motions using a mitt. The thing is the formula doesn't contain a guide colour so it's very tricky to judge where you've been and whether you've put enough on certain areas, this was a particular problem when it came to my wrists, typically I would use a large buffing brush and using a small amount of product I would blend the product into my wrists, hands, ankles and knees, this has always worked well for me but I kind of felt blind with this product. The formula has no artificial fragrance it just smells of chemicals but in a good way, initially I couldn't detect the typical stuffy self tan smell but as it developed and even now a few days later I get little a whiff of it here and there- nothing on the level of a typical self tan though. Alas I was satisfied that I had covered the whole of my body and waited about 5 minutes before I felt it was "touch dry" a vast improvement on the 15 minutes I would wait with a typical self tan. About 3 hours into development I didn't really notice much of a change, I'm quite pale normally and I still felt quite pale, I could detect something of a glow on my arms but nothing much was happening below my shoulders. After about 6 hours it's like I went from subtle glow to errrr… tanned we'll say- LOOSELY. The colour didn't develop very evenly, there were the tale tale signs on my wrists and my knuckles, my knees were a bit of an obvious giveaway, the colour didn't take to some of my mid section particularly well, there are bands going across my tummy that took the tan and there are bands that are paler. I didn't take the product to my face, instead I opted to use the spray and I'm pleased to say both formulations worked in cohesion with eachother, there were no obvious signs on my neck that show any sort of shade intensity change from where I used the spray, it just blended together nicely. The thing is though I could be quite happy with the faults this product has presented, from the tale tale signs on my wrists, knuckles and knees to the awkward banding on my torso, but the developed shade is not suited to my skin tone. I'm pale, there's no two ways about it, I'm usually one of the first three palest shades in any foundation with a tiny bit yellow warming me up and this product is quite obviously orange on me, not offensively orange where I dare not go out in public but enough to know I'm getting ribbed about it by the family, I'm more than happy to see this application through to the end without hiding though. The tan started to crack on my hands within the first day due to covid hand washing, this can't be avoided but I'm pleased to say that the tan is holding up well, it didn't obliterate into scales despite the continued washing, and as promised by the brand who says the transparent formula means it won't transfer onto fabrics I can hand on heart say this has been true for me, I sleep in white bedding, wear white sports bras and white tops and haven't found any transfer. If you're already somewhat naturally tanned this will be a great product for you, but for me the shade was off and that's quite a significant factor in a self tan, it also made my KP appear a lot more red than usual. Forelorah-jayne.d

I received these products for free from Influenster and Bondi Sands in exchange for my honest review. The packaging is very innovative and represents the brand well. The smell is very pleasant not overpowering like many self tan products. There is no pump as such and so I found the liquid didn’t turn into foam each time I tipped it down so need to be quite careful when applying but the bottle is quite handy and easy to hold. There’s no colour guide but I don’t believe it’s needed with this product, it makes it easier to dress up straight after the application without colour transfer. Big plus! The application was easy, I used a mitt and buffed the product in circular motion. It dries very quickly which is amazing, there is no sticky feeling like with some other tanning products. Colour was nice I have far version but it’s very golden and natural. It doesn’t dry out the skin, there is a little smell the next morning as it develops but nothing major or disturbing. Definitely can tell the ingredients are skin friendly and skin care like. Overall I recommend it the only con is the applicator as the water is runny so you need to keep tipping it up and down to get the right amount of foam. I did use one coat only and I feel that’s more than enough. I love the packaging is fully recyclable. I would probably prefer it to be c-through so you can see how much product is left but it’s not a big issue. I’m impressed with the results. In comparison the other Bondi Sands range I find this range the best as it’s not as drying and the results are more even and natural. Highly recommend.iwona.h

I followed the directions on the bottle exactly, between using the right hand motions to spread out the product, how to prepare skin beforehand and how long to leave it on. 1. while putting it on, it was impossible to tell where I had already applied the product (like, if I had any missing spots) because it goes on clear. 2. I used the same level of darkness I always use in the foam version. This product turned me carrot orange, and literally is impossible to scrub off my skin. I've been using self-tan remover every single day for a week, and its still super patchy, ugly and not budging. I work in a hospital, so I'm constantly washing my hands and using heavy-duty sanitizer. I have a nickel-sized spot of tanner that somehow ended up on my palm. I have no idea how its still there. 3. it said to wait until the product was touch-dry before putting on any clothes. It took me 45 minutes to an hour, standing in a well-ventilated room, in front of a box fan, before I was able to dress. The bottle said 15 minutes.. I swear I didn't over apply any product, I have no idea why it took so long! Very disappointed in this product. I always loved all of their other ones, but this stuff is useless and a waste of money. For the love of God, please, please, do not buy this.A Cheetoh Woman

This self tanner really works nicely! It smells good. I have used self tanners in the past, but stopped because I felt silly walking around with streaks and it being visibly evident that I used a self tanner. Not this product- no streaks- really it blends in so well! I am fair skinned and this tanner looks fabulous! How to use this self tanner: 1. Shower and exfoliate (if you don't have a scrub you can make one out of bath salts and soap or use a loofah) 2. Apply lotion to rough areas- knees, ankles, and elbows 3. Strip down- and apply – be sure to rub all over (wash hands after about 2 minutes and then continue) 4. Let it dry and relax (***don't continue to rub it while it it working- after 10 minutes of drying let it do it's magic- hands off) 5. Reapply after three hours if you'd like 6. All done… now you look great! Try not to get sunburnt- it will peel off if you do. You will see how it bends quite naturally into the areas that you didn't tan. You will be buying more after you see how impressive you look! Stock up! This is my new favorite product! No more laying in the damaging sun rays!iHerb Customer

I've been using this self tanner for a few months now (my first time using self tanners) and I havent been happy with the results. It seems like there isn't a change in my color. After reading numerous reviews however, I think I need to start applying it 2-3 times a week until I see some color. I am pretty pale and went with the medium shade but I think I will try a darker shade. I do have to mention, after reading the numerous complaints about the change in your formula, I am confused. One of the selling points for me on this specific self tanner (besides banana boat being a long time traditional product brand for me) is that there is no guide color. I did a lot of research on self tanners and when companies use a guide color it seems to transfer onto absolutely EVERYTHING! I definately dont want that! I'm not a patient person and font have time to stand around sans clothing while my lotion dries! This product has yet to transfer onto any of my clothing, thank you for that! There isn't an unpleasant smell like some tanners have (although I wish this had a coconut scent) and the formula feels light and airy on my ski, huge plus as I cant handle thick, heavy creams. One i up my application amounts and get the darker shade I will leave another reviewNikki

I didn't even know it came with a tint since I just bought it this summer, so I can't comment on the lack of tint to guide the application ( would be nice tho). But I love that it's easy to apply without a lot of mess, it doesn't smell, it moisturizes my skin, has a nice color, and it's so affordable! I first use it on my face all over, then I use Lovingtan or Bondi with a foundation brush to highlight my forehead, cheeks, and along my jawline (especially along the jowls, lol) and bottom of my neck, as if I was applying bronzer. It beautifully contours my face but looks natural. Also, this hides my double chin and jowls, plus let's me look tanned without a lot of makeup…. very natural and pretty. Of course, proceed cautiously at first! But the best thing I like about this product is that I don't get that "suffocating" , heavy and sticky feeling other tanners give me. Nor do I look like a swamp creature! LolAmyG

No streaks, blends well, beautiful color. I love the tanning foam one hour express. If you aren’t an experienced self tanner/ pro at your application, get the foam over the aero. It dries, but not as quickly as the aero so it gives you more time to apply and blend. I love how a little tan foam goes far and how buildable the tan is. I’m fair so I look my most natural golden tan with one coat. For beach days I have done two coats and you do get noticeably more tan!! While you can rinse the product after 1-3 hours, your tan will still take 6-8 hours to fully develop on your skin. I’ve slept in the foam 1 hour express and I’ve also rinsed it at the 2-3 hour mark and you get the same color so I really like having the option to rinse the tan before bed if I choose or to just fall asleep knowing my results will both look great. Apply tan to top of hands last and rinse hands at about 30-45 minutes if you plan to leave the tan on for 2-3+ hours. That’s worked for me to get the color balanced and blended with my arm color since hands absorb the color so quickly. The tan fades so well!! I get 4 great days before fading begins and can stretch it 7 if I incorporate the gradual tanning milk. I apply the tanning milk with the tanning mitt to keep my palms from the tan and it works great. And most importantly the one hour foam express doesn’t have a funny smell that lingers with you for days after!!Rachael C.

I have been using fake tan for years. I am naturally fair skinned and my go to fave has always been the Bondi Sands Ultra Dark mousse. I only tried the Ultra Dark foam because the mousse was sold out and the foam was on offer, so thought I’d give it a whirl. I’m such a fan of Bondi Sands Ultra Dark foam (and mousse) Compared to other brands, it creates a deeper looking tan (no orange!) and it wears off evenly, which I really like. No patchy knees or ankles. Compared to the mousse, the foam dries a lot quicker. I like that too. No sticky feeling, it absorbs really well. There’s also less transfer onto clothes / bedsheets, before that morning shower. The only thing I have found (and this is simply user error, not a complaint!) is that I create a ball of foam to rub on myself, but as I rub it onto my skin the foam ball sometimes drops onto my carpet. I’ve applied the tan on two occasions and now have 4 splodges of tan to scrub out of my carpet. So maybe do smaller squirts of foam? For me though, this is the best tan out there at the moment and it’s not even that pricey compared to some of them.Lois

I don't really need any help in the suntan department as I have an olive complexion and tan very easily with little to no sunburn . However, I don't always have time to sunbathe and it's not particularly enjoyable during the summer months because it's JUST. SO. HOT!!! So, when I found this product, I was ecstatic. It's like a mouse so it goes on silky smooth . When I purchased my first can of this product, it came with a mitt for easy, even application. I apply it after a shower , allow it to dry before getting dressed, then go about my day finishing up household chores or scrolling through my instagram feed . Then, after about an hour , I rinse off quickly and glow. It has never left streaks or uneven splotches on my skin . It makes my skin soft and supple and it looks marvelous! I only reapply very few days and I've received lots of compliments on my tan ever since I started using this product!Liz

No streaks, blends well, beautiful color. I love the tanning foam one hour express. If you aren’t an experienced self tanner/ pro at your application, get the foam over the aero. It dries, but not as quickly as the aero so it gives you more time to apply and blend. I love how a little tan foam goes far and how buildable the tan is. I’m fair so I look my most natural golden tan with one coat. For beach days I have done two coats and you do get noticeably more tan!! While you can rinse the product after 1-3 hours, your tan will still take 6-8 hours to fully develop on your skin. I’ve slept in the foam 1 hour express and I’ve also rinsed it at the 2-3 hour mark and you get the same color so I really like having the option to rinse the tan before bed if I choose or to just fall asleep knowing my results will both look great. Apply tan to top of hands last and rinse hands at about 30-45 minutes if you plan to leave the tan on for 2-3+ hours. That’s worked for me to get the color balanced and blended with my arm color since hands absorb the color so quickly. The tan fades so well!! I get 4 great days before fading begins and can stretch it 7 if I incorporate the gradual tanning milk. I apply the tanning milk with the tanning mitt to keep my palms from the tan and it works great. And most importantly the one hour foam express doesn’t have a funny smell that lingers with you for days after!!Rachael C.

I have been using fake tan for years. I am naturally fair skinned and my go to fave has always been the Bondi Sands Ultra Dark mousse. I only tried the Ultra Dark foam because the mousse was sold out and the foam was on offer, so thought I’d give it a whirl. I’m such a fan of Bondi Sands Ultra Dark foam (and mousse) Compared to other brands, it creates a deeper looking tan (no orange!) and it wears off evenly, which I really like. No patchy knees or ankles. Compared to the mousse, the foam dries a lot quicker. I like that too. No sticky feeling, it absorbs really well. There’s also less transfer onto clothes / bedsheets, before that morning shower. The only thing I have found (and this is simply user error, not a complaint!) is that I create a ball of foam to rub on myself, but as I rub it onto my skin the foam ball sometimes drops onto my carpet. I’ve applied the tan on two occasions and now have 4 splodges of tan to scrub out of my carpet. So maybe do smaller squirts of foam? For me though, this is the best tan out there at the moment and it’s not even that pricey compared to some of them.Lois

I don't really need any help in the suntan department as I have an olive complexion and tan very easily with little to no sunburn . However, I don't always have time to sunbathe and it's not particularly enjoyable during the summer months because it's JUST. SO. HOT!!! So, when I found this product, I was ecstatic. It's like a mouse so it goes on silky smooth . When I purchased my first can of this product, it came with a mitt for easy, even application. I apply it after a shower , allow it to dry before getting dressed, then go about my day finishing up household chores or scrolling through my instagram feed . Then, after about an hour , I rinse off quickly and glow. It has never left streaks or uneven splotches on my skin . It makes my skin soft and supple and it looks marvelous! I only reapply very few days and I've received lots of compliments on my tan ever since I started using this product!Liz

I bought this item thinking it would be an easy alternative to rubbing in self tanner and having to pay for new mitts since this one says it doesn’t need rubbed in. That was a huge mistake, it definitely needs rubbed in and runs so bad. It also is quite orange and dark so it was a huge change compared to my natural skin color, which i was not expecting since it was in the color medium. Really just look at the pics and that’s all you’ll need to see lol.Csm

I was never a huge self tanner fan but with the growing concern of skin damage/cancer its definitely a preferable option to get a tan opposed to salons or direct sunlight. I was still hesitant when about using this, I've only ever had bad experiences with self tanners and I've tried some pricey brands. I was pretty suprised when I actually liked it. I didnt love the application process (as I never do) it's a little messy, stains your hands, and I don't like smelling like self tanner for hours afterwards. With that said, this oke wasn't "that" bad compared to a lot of others I've tried. The scent wasn't to bad. The thing I loved the most about using this though was the results and why I gave it 4 stars. I was noticeably tanner after just one use and the color I got was not orange or fake but rather a natural healthy glow. Loreal has definitely stepped up there game and came a long way.amie.m

I am fair but tan easily there are times in the winter I would like to be tan and feel like summer. Out of the many products there is out there to use this is not the greatest. I think the application is quick but blending isn't good because it dries to quick before you can even do a tiny area.I tried using a lotion and coconut oil to moisturize before applying the makeup lotion and still dries quickly and blotchy. I had such high hopes that it would be simple and beautiful. The smell was pleasant it didn't break me out or stain my hands. Gentle washing with warm water soap and washcloth brings this product off instantly which for a tanning product is amazing. It has so much potential maybe a slightly new formula may help.The look of the packaging was nice a girly pink big readable text which is something I love in a product. The color was spot on not orange or yellow just a perfect brown tan for this price that amazed me. I would never recommend this to anyone maybe to my children to play makeup with but otherwise it makes you look like a jersey shore clown. I looked like I had animal texture skin or mud smeared all over myself just simply terrible.Walked into my living room to show my husband and he laughed at me never something you want out of a beauty product.binzany

This is a free product I received as a participant of WalMarts’ Spark Review process established to help prospective buyers shop confidently, be informed and to aid in a positive shopping experience. I have posted a simple YouTube video review for those more visual shoppers which is linked for your convenience below. Disappointment is the first thing that comes to mind with this product. Why, the fake color and hues it puts off reminds me of the fake tan applications gone wrong. So the appearance is not realistic enough for me to consider wearing. The consistency is unlike lotion, thicker and heavier than most foundations. It goes on so thick and heavily that working into the skin for even coverage takes a lot of time and in my experience I was still unable to get even coverage. I utilized my fingers and then tried applying it with a makeup wedge to see if that improved. In order to achieve even coverage, I then had to apply translucent powder. I feel, if you have to add more makeup, to makeup to make it look good, then it isn’t working. Especially if still want to maintain a more natural appearance. More about the product itself, what it does do, is moisturize as promised. It also washes off with a little bit of effort however, do not use a facecloth until it is all gone to avoid staining. I used baby wipes at first to clean my face then followed up with my normal face cleaning routine. The value for performance is off balance. There are powder bronzers on today's market that far outperform this product without having to heavily apply layers of makeup. The overall appearance of the packaging is nice and in tradition with L’Oreal Paris trademark packaging. They thoughtfully created a color cap close to color of the bronzer lotion. This was smart packaging. The cap clicks open with little effort and closes securely. The tube itself is not too wide and easy to handle. The packaging was super. No damage was found from distributor to my home. Walmart shipped via FedEx packaged in a box. I am not very happy with this product and, would not recommend to my family and friends.The quality for the value did not exceeded my expectations and I would not purchase this product for myself or others.Love

I am always very skeptical, of these instant tan products. I have tried many different types and different brands, over the years. I have not been satisfied with any of them, as they have all given my skin an orange tint. I still continue to try new instant tan products, though, hoping to one day find one that does a nice job and does not give my skin an orange tint. I had high hopes, for this L'Oreal Sublime Bronze. L'Oreal is a respected brand, which I have used previously, and I thought the description, of the product, sounded promising. It claims to be a 5-IN-1 formula that delivers spectacular results; instant summer tan, blurred imperfections, flawless finish, improved softness and 24 hour hydration. "Because You're Worth It." Well, it certainly sounds wonderful! Unfortunately, the lovely smelling cream gives my skin the dreaded orange tint. A single layer is not too bad, it gives my skin a little color, with only a slight orange tint. However, if I apply a second time for a "more intense result", my skin is Smurf orange. The product has ingredients that consist of water, as the first ingredient, mineral oil, palm oil and a host of other ingredients that cannot be easily pronounced. It also contains fragrance, that I must say is very nice. That was a surprise, as most other instant tan products that I've tried, had an unpleasant scent. This product smells really fresh and pretty, so that's a plus. I wanted to use this product on my legs. I live in Florida and have worn jeans, over the winter – so I have tanned arms and pale legs. I was hoping to give my legs some color, so I could wear shorts and not look so uneven. I think I might be able to use this product, for that purpose, but I may be a bit self-conscious about it, because of the orange tint. So I will only use it, until my legs get some color of their own. This product has no sunscreen. If you want to tan, while using it, and need to use a sunscreen, this product will be affected, by the application of additional products. Everybody has different types of skin and this may not give everybody an orange tint – but it does, to me, so I can't recommend it.Katseye5150

Honestly, I don't understand how some people do not like this self tanner. It is THE best color and doesn't streak for me. People, USE the mitt, do not try and apply this with gloves or bare hands. As long as you shower, exfoliate and apply this to completely dry skin you will not have any issues. I am olive toned complexion so the color guard works better for me than most. Try a little bit at a time and really learn to buff with the mitt. Overall, I always come back to fake bake. Absolutely love this original lotion and the smell is very bearable compared to other self tanners.PKG

I received this product to review. I was very nervous about using a Fake Bake after an awful result many years ago with a different self-tan branded product and yuk the smell! I took the plunge and tried Fake Bake on my legs using the gloves provided. There was a guide colour but this faded after a while so I wasn?t sure if I had applied it properly. After a few hours, I was delighted to see a very natural light tan. The smell wasn?t too bad and easily washes away. Now I have seen the results, I will be trying more to deepen the colour. I?m extremely impressed! No wonder this product is out of stock at the moment, especially on special offer. I would gladly purchase in future and consider other products in the range.weloveocado!

I have tried tanning in tanning beds but I do not tan very well and I do not like the spray tans. They stain my feet too bad. I have also tried many different sunless lotions and some were okay but nothing I really wanted to continue using. A friend recommended this lotion so I thought I would give it a try. It is wonderful! It smells bad at first but the smell quickly fades. I love that the color of the lotion is really dark. This helps with rubbing it in really well so you can see where you missed or where you left too much. I also like that you can use a baby wipe to wipe an area you didn't mean to get the lotion on. The coloring the next morning is wonderful. It's definitely not orange looking (at least on me). It's a more deep golden tan. It's hard to describe but I am loving it. I can even put this on my feet and it doesn't stain or splotch up the ankle area. Great stuff!!!cashley1016

I have a VERY light complection so the sun and I are not compatible. I wear shorts and my legs glow in the dark so I really like to use a sunless tanner. I've tried all different kinds of sunless tanners and orange is not my color. This tanner does not leave me orange and I've even got compliments on it from good friends that aren't afraid to tell me like it is. Lol. You HAVE to exfoliate your skin before using ANY sunless tanner or you will have streaks. I followed the directions and used latex gloves for application. A small amount goes a long ways. It takes two to three applications to get the darkness I want. (Light to medium darkness) and then a small amount after showers to maintain it. It is pricey but I think it's worth it since everything else turns me orange. I really like this product.pinkwater62

I love this product. I am a fair skinned red head so finding a natural product has been tough… and I have tried! The product smells fantastic during and AFTER application, leaves few streaks with common sense application and last 3-5 days. Just perfect for a sun kissed look!jodi.s

This is my favorite tanning lotion I've tried yet. Have already bought 3 bottles. It doesn't leave you streaky or orange at all. Good for your face as well . It doesn't smell bad either. Has a light citrus kind of smell.it delivers awesome and even color. I won't buy any other tanning lotion but tan physics.angie.m

Starting with application this was easy to apply and use. And I followed step by step instructions and it came out looking pretty amazing. I was in love with it. So couple days in looking great I even thought for sure this was definitely something I would be using all the time and thats when it went downhill. It started turning this yellowish tone and started getting patchy in certain spots. So with the patchiness I thought for sure it was going away but nope, it stayed. For 2 weeks like that, it was terrible. Overall, this is something I wont be using again. I really just hated appearance of this which in reality it was only tan for the first couple of days. The rest of the days I'm not sure how to describe in terms, except that I was yellow. Its easy to use though just doesn't give a great tanSaloe34

I really enjoyed using b.tan and overall it was a very simple process and I love that it wasn't messy at all. The mitt helped so much and I don't know what I would have done without it. There was no blotchiness or streaks on my legs at all, which was a nice surprise. I will definitely say my legs felt smooth and hydrated too. I love that there was no strong scent like so many others I've tried. And the best part my legs had a natural looking tan, not that icky orange color, so that was a relief. I honestly really like this tanner , much more than others I have used before. The only thing is I wish it was darker on my first treatment, because I couldn't tell much of a difference. So next time I'll make sure to leave it on longer and add a double coat. Also I wish it would last longer too. I feel like it it's already starting to fade a Iittle. I will experiment some more with it , to find out what works best for me.Springn89

No doubt, after a long winter I am definitely pasty. I really needed something to get a little color on my legs. I have tried a variety of different products over the years with varied results. What I really love about this products is that the mitt really does a great job of applying the color evenly. So much better than if you tried to apply this with your hands. My very favorite thing about application is that when you apply- you can see where you have put the product. I hate when you apply tanners that are lotion like and you can't see where you have already put it or if you need to apply more. The foam is easy to put on an dries pretty quickly, which is nice because it needs to sit on for an hour. The smell is pretty typical for a self tanner, but you shower after so it doesn't stick around. The color it leaves is perfect, not to orange and it's very buildable. My only complaint is that you need to start with clean, exfoliated skin- but then you wash it off after. So you really need to shower twice ideally, kind of a pain.jkholeman

easy to apply, smell is fine, dries pretty quickly. however. I am SO disappointed with this product overall! I LOVED fakebake and would rave about how flawless of a tan it is – until whatever changes they've made. it is so beyond streaky, left me with an orange glow as it was fading, and it faded FAST. I gave it 2 stars for the first comments, but I do not recommend it whatsoever. I have never left a review until this. I don't want other girls to feel so embarrassed as I did while waiting for this product to completely rinse from my skin.mmm275829w9

Not only are the new bottles different (a little thinner/taller and white), but it seems like they changed the mitts a little bit and the formula as well. The mitt is the all black one that they've had for awhile, but it seems like it's more fine and thinner than previous ones. It also seems like less liquid soaks into the mitt, which is nice! And, the new formula dries WAY better than the old. I used to be sticky and uncomfortable the entire time I was wearing it-and had to put different sheets and pillowcases down because it melted off on EVERYTHING. I'm actually quite comfortable still having it on (12+ hours later) and I feel like the lack of an abundance of guide color means I could probably skip showering it off altogether and not look like a dirtball. There is still a guide color, so you'll still be able to see where it's applied, it's just not as plentiful. Seriously….if the color payoff is as good as the old formula, I will be immensely pleased about the change. I'm not sure I'll even have to swap out bed sheets anymore and that is HUGE!MayBAE

I've been self tanning for nearly a decade so I've tried many brands and consider my myself a self tanning pro now. When I first discovered FB flawless,I was impressed. Went on easily, dried quickly, smelled good, good color, not much of a next day self tanner odor, long lasting, good fade, no patchiness, etc. When they came out with flawless darker I was all over it. It took my tan to next level… and even though I may have been swayed at times by social media to try something else, I always came back to FB flawless Nothing topped FB…. NOTHING… sigh now I read the reviews of the new formula by people like me who have raved about the old FB for years. So i know to not even bother purchasing this new formula. If you know, you know and I trust those reviews.Like so many others, I ask- why FB whyyyyyyyy change the formula?!?? Now I'm on the hunt for something new. Not happy. I still have an old bottle laying around that I still use and it's still good but now I'm sad.Former FB Flawless Junkie

I have self tanned semi-regularly for a few years now. I wouldn’t call myself a beginner, but I was still a little nervous about trying this product since there is no guide color. But so far I have had no streaking, splotching, or patchiness. The color definitely takes 4 hours to develop; ideally I should leave it on for 6-12 hours to really get dark. I’m pretty light/pale and I got medium for reference. It’s not super sticky and the “self tan smell” isn’t as bad as some other brands. It’s still there, though. I’ve literally never used a truly odorless self tanner so I won’t knock this one for having that scent. The only reason I give it 4 starts rather than 5 is that I don’t like the color as much as St Tropez or St Moris. This one isn’t orange, but it still doesn’t have the green or violet undertone that other tanners do which looks better on my cool-toned skin. Overall, if you’re a beginner, I would opt for a mousse product. I have enough tanning experience to know what spots I usually miss so this has been good for me. And absolutely no staining or transfer is incredible.Sarah

before tanologist, I would just use gradual tanning/bronzing lotions but I decided after hearing all about it, I would try tanologist. IT WAS SO WORTH IT. I've used it only twice so far and I'm obsessed. The only small issue I have is the smell but it really isn't too bad. The tan you want to achieve depends on how much you use and how quickly you shower after, so you are in complete control. The first use, I didn't use as much and I showered after three hours and I definitely saw results but they weren't drastic. The second time I used, I left on for about 8 hours (overnight) and I saw beautiful results!!!! I use my hands to rub in and I didn't have any splotching but I did have an awkward fake tan on my hands (LOL) I washed them right after but make sure you wash and scrub them better than I did!! Other areas to give more attention to would be elbows, front and back of knees, belly button and feet! I 10/10 reccomend this product, a beautiful, natural tan!!Jules

Tanologist gives beautiful, natural, glowing tan results. I’m a self-tan expert, I’ve tried them all because I’m super pasty white and tan weekly. Tanologist is the best, aside from pro/salon spray tan and easy to apply. The only thing is, it takes 24 hours to really develop. This is not an apply in the morning and be tan that night. I apply after I shower before bed they sleep in it and rinse and moisturize like crazy next day and twice daily after to make it last. The instructions say you can rinse after a few hours but in my experience you really need to give it 8-12 hours to see the best result. It smells ok, not like tanner but more green, grassy and the smell fades as it dries. The tan water dries more quickly than the mousse but only 4 stars because the spray nozzle can clog. A summer and year-round tan must-have!JinFL

I was promised amazing things with this tan, so I’ll start with the good… The colour is nice – the green/grey base stops it getting *too* orange (though there are less orange tans out there), and as promised the smell is pleasant. I’m naturally very pale and the medium was plenty dark enough. That seems to be where the good stuff ends. I always ensure I prep properly for tanning with my shaving/exfoliating/moisturising routine, so that was not the problem. I do have dry skin, so I always make sure to moisturise every day as instructed on the bottle. However, 2 days into wearing this tan, my arms and legs looked absolutely RIDICULOUS. So so SO patchy, I looked like bubble wrap with the amount of white holes that were appearing all over me. So I knew it had to come off… fat chance of that happening. Soaked myself in baby oil for an hour, had a long, hot bath and then scrubbed in the shower. Did not budge. It took THREE showers worth of scrubbing just to take *some* of the colour off – good if you don’t want it to come off, but terrible if you do. I had to wear long sleeves/trousers in hot weather for a week whilst I tried every day to eventually scrub it off. It stained my bedding like no other tan has – baring in mind I didn’t sleep with it developing as I don’t like to stain the sheets with my tans. But even after the first several rounds of scrubbing it was still turning my sheets bright orange. Sadly would not recommend this tan and disappointed that I wasted so much money on it.Emily B.

My daughter and I were willing to spend top dollar on an excellent self tanner to ensure we had a nice, sunkissed glow prior to heading on vacation. The reviews online were great but, we were skill a bit skeptical. Our skin hadn't seen the sun in a while (although we weren't completely pale) so, we spent days trying to decide on medium or dark. It was a tough choice but, we settled on Medium to error on the side of caution. I also added the bronzing face drops in Medium as well. Much to my surprise, the product lives up to all the wonderful reviews. We succeed in achieving our sun kissed glow and I've had several people ask where we spent our vacation and compliment my tan. I even catch people checking out my bronzed legs (because the tan looks that good, not just my legs)! I've managed to convince several others to try Coco & Eve and feel like I should be a rep for the brand. I'm sold and if you arent yet then, you're missing out! Happy brushing and bronzing!Stephanie L.