Fake Tan Reviews

So to get back into the swing of posting I thought I would start with my favourite subject - fake tan!

(FAVOURITE TAN IS AT NUMBER 6 IN CASE YOU WANT TO JUMP TO IT)

Over the years I have used many a fake tan some of which have been good and others which have been not so good.

1. St Tropez

This tan is a lotion that provides a nice olive tones natural tan. It applies with a dark colour guide so you can see where you are applying it but be warned - it will stain your clothing and sheets!

The colour itself applies evenly, although on occasion I have experienced some patchiness on the legs in the past.

The problem I have with this tan however is that I seem to come out with a red rash on my neck whenever I use it which is sore and itchy. As such I decided not to repurchase, but I don't know of anyone else who has had this reaction from it and therefore would recommend it still. It retails at around £26 - £30.

In terms of smell there is a slight curried-buscuit scent to it like many other tans. Not too strong though.

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2. Fake Bake

The "Xtreme" tan Fake Bake do used to be one of my favourites back in my uni days (a couple of years ago). It provided me with a really deep glow to the point were I was asked where I had been on holiday by a couple of people - always a good sign - although slightly awkward when the response is "no where" haha.

This tan used to apply a lot better than St Tropez as it was a really fast drying gel rather than lotion. It's another bed sheet stainer as the colour guide is dark.

The problem I had with this tan was that all of a sudden the formula seemed to change in consistency and the tan colour was never the same. Yes it provided quite a dark shade, but not as good as in the past and eventually I stopped using it in the hope for finding something that gave me the same result I had once experienced from the "Xtreme" tan.

This is therefore a tan that I buy when I can't get hold of a current favourite - I know it will tan my skin relatively dark and olive shaded but isn't perfect and no longer on my favourite's list. Unfortunately it doesn't provide a dark enough colour for the price for me, which tends to be around £25 - £28.

Oh a again there it has that curried-biscuit smell to it.


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3. L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Tinted Gel

The first point to make about this tan is that it is quite a lot cheaper than the previous too at around £14. That said, you can tell.

Don't get me wrong I am not opposed to this tan, but you need to realise that it isn't quite as good as the more expensive ones generally. Firstly - the smell is really strong during application and once washed off.

Also, there is a glitter of some kind within the gel so you are all shimmery when it is applied. Again there is a colour guide although this one is much more subtle. I am unsure of the purpose of this glitter within the colour guide though as personally you could not apply this tan and then pop out for the following reasons:-

a) it stinks
b it's faaaaaaaaar too tacky and
c) the shade is orangey upon application meaning you would look very odd.

Speaking of orange tones - that is something I have always noticed with this tan. It is not olive based at all. Definitely more of a typical fake tan colour so probably not great if you have fair skin. Although I use medium and there is a seperate tan for fair skin.

All in all I would not really recommend this tan because it does tend to look very fake. It is VERY moisturising though which is unusual for a tan.

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4. Tan Truth Self Tan

I had to use this tan again recently as my favourite was not in stock where I normally buy it and of course I was about to go on holiday and had run out. Disaster.

Anyway I used to use this and found it ok so went and bought it from Sallys for around £16. This tan provides a good colour provided you haven't moisturised before hand. It's dark and olive toned again. You can build up the colour with a couple of applications, although one is enough for me.

It applies with a colour guide that will again stain the sheets!! Smell isn't so great - pretty chemically.

When it is washed off though the smell is even worse. It absolutely STINKS of fake tan!! Wow it is strong. And there is nothing to hide it. I was actually at a friends before going out the other week and her sister came into the room and said who has fake tan on I can smell it. CRINGE.

I am basically going to use this and then order my fave online. I would recommend it, especially because it is pretty reasonabely cheap - but I would say that you just need to be aware that it smells horrendous!!

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5. Xen Tan Gradual Tan

I love this tan. As you will have gathered from the name this tan is a moisturiser with tanning properties so that your tan develops gradually as you continue to apply the moisturiser.

With it being a moisturiser it is naturally very tacky in nature, although you can use it at the start of a day and dress shortly after in normal (i.e. not loose) clothes although you will smell like a false tanner I'm afraid!! The smell is divine when you are applying the moisturiser but after a couple of hours it starts to smell like fake tan unfortunately.

Despite that I would recommend this tan in an instant - it provides a great all over glow. I use it when I have dry skin but want to tan, when I run out of standard fake tan, or when I want to top up or make tan a little darker (oh and also I sneakily use it at the boyf's when I am looking pastey as he does not take kindly to my tanning addiction or stained bed sheets!!)

I have repurchased this beauty many-a-time for £15.99. I'll be honest - if you were to use this regularly as an all over body moisturiser it would run out quite quickly - but I still believe the effect is totally worth it.

Fantastic also for when tan is wearing off on hands but not on rest of body :D

(previous review with pictures here)
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6. He-Shi Express Liquid Tan ( THE WINNER!! )

This is my holy grail tan. Enough said.

Well not quite enough, I think it's only fair I tell you why!

Firstly it's only £21. I know that might seem cheap to some - but think of all the money you spend trying to get the right tan. Then think about how much you will save when you have found it and it's £21 and it's liquid so a little bit goes a LONG way. Happy times.

The colour is amazing. Olive and dark. Very dark.

As said it is a liquid - never before had I experienced something quite like it but once you get used to it it is fine. Basically get yourself a tanning mitt and go for it! Oooo and TIP apply and then wear loose satin PJ's (unlike all other materials it doesn't soak up the tan and provides amazing colour!!).

This tan is long lasting and doesn't smell (too) bad. Of course there is a little smell but nothing to complain about.

Sadly House of Fraser in Manchester have recently stopped stocking this so I am GUTTED! I NEED to find another stockist asap as I love it. Until then I will be buying online!!!!

(video praising this tan here)

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7. Famous Daves Tanning Mousse

Another tan I am very fond of although the fact that I can only purchase this online was a bit of a problem for me. I don't know why I just prefer to pick these things up when I need them instead of thinking ahead and ordering on time. But it is now being stocked in boots apparently so I may well be revisiting this tan!!

It's another well priced one at £19.99 with fantastic results. I have previously reviewed this tan and described the colour as golden. I remember it being really dark but not too brown. It was a really nice just stepped off the beach look. I got a lot of compliments. In fact writing about it is making me want to use it again haha!!

The smell is there the next day from memory but no worse than most. Also they do a small version for £9.99 (very good for trying!!).

I would definitely recommend this tan also as it doesn't streak and only needs one application!! The only downside is that it is slightly drying when used. So just increase the moisturising!

(To see previous review and pictures click here.)

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NB. The tan I haven't mentioned here is St Moriz - most of you will be familiar with this tan I would imagine. Some of you love it. I cannot stand it. It makes no difference to my skin and is horrible in consistency (mousse and spray). It's a real shame because at £2.99 this would be a bargain if it worked for me. I've tried normal and dark and given the results I have nothing else to say really other than I would not recommend this product.



Thanks for reading - hope you have found the post useful! Any questions please ask...