Wednesday 10 July 2013

Best False Tan - ever #fact

I like to have a slight tan about me all year round. I am VERY pale and look a tad ill if I am 'au natural'. I usually use the gradual tanning moisterisers like Dove or Johnsons. I love these because you can make a mistake and correct it easily by applying more the next day. I cannot tell you how many false tan accidents I've had over the years.

With all gradual tanners and false tan creams I have an issue and it's big ... THEY SMELL LIKE BISCUITS! I actually love biscuits but I do not want to spend 5 days catching a whiff of myself smelling like one and I'm pretty sure people around me don't want to smell this either!

Last month my very nice blogger friend Helen from The Flaky Fashionista pointed me in the direction of Cocoa Brown - it's a tan that doesn't smell and develops in 1 hour. Yes you heard me ONE HOUR!

I received my gift from Cocoa Brown at the beginning of the week and so operation brown legs started today. My top half tans naturally in the sun and with all that we've had this past week I'm a nice colour. But the legs ... man alive the legs don't tan AT ALL - why is that? They used to, but over the past 3 years or so they haven't and I spend all summer with this two tone body!

In the package I got the 1 hr tan mouse and the mitt - you must use the mitt because this tan agent works VERY fast and you won't have time to wash your hands before they're tanned! Also the mitt helps to smooth out and even the application.

The package that arrived


Looks weird but this is the mouse on the mitt!


Here are my pasty white legs before


Here are my nicely developed tanned legs after (I didn't want TOO dark but if you do then just reapply tomorrow)


Here is a side by side white vs light tan leg shot


Where can you buy it? It is stocked in some Primark stores but. if like me, you don't have one close then you can buy from here for £7.99 and delivery is free!

Here are the steps I used to get the tan to work at its best:

  1. Shave legs one day before you plan to apply the mousse
  2. Next day shower and DO NOT moisterise.
  3. If you have dry patches (I do on my knees and ankles) then apply a barrier cream such as vaseline)
  4. Quickly apply mousse to lower leg, upper leg and THEN do knees and feet
  5. Ensure you use the mitt always - no-one wants brown palms!
  6. Leave tan on for 1 hr for a light covering. Leave on for 3 hrs if you want a darker look.

There is a video here on how to prepare and apply the tan which I watched yesterday and got some fab tips.

I didn't do my head/arms/body because they are already coloured enough.

My verdict? BLOODY BRILLIANT - I am going to use this ALWAYS for my legs this summer. It totally evens out my body colour.

So, do you use false tan? A gradual tanner? Or nothing!

Fiona
xoxo


13 comments :

  1. Wow, wow, wow! I'm so delighted that you liked it. It looks amazing. That's it! To hell with the flaky skin - I have to give this a go!!

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    1. It would be great for you to review to see if you love it as much as I do!

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  2. Thanks for the fantastic review Fiona, I love when I see comprehensive reviews of Cocoa Brown and yours is definitely that! Great photos too, am off to pin it onto our Pinterest tan review page straight away! Sarah Cocoa Brown

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  3. Thank you for sending me some to review for you :-)

    I will NOT be buying any other false tan ever again - this one has won me over big time!

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  4. Looks great Fiona! I want some now :) x

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    Replies
    1. You should be able to pick up locally as it's by an Irish company

      Fiona

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  5. Looks fab! What the hell is it about legs that just won't tan?!? I have been sunbathing lots... but am now having to carefully position my upper body in full shade to try to even out my colour! Couple of questions about this... you say leave it on for 1-3 hours, so do you have to wash it off after? Also, do you have to stagger around for the duration of drying time a la John Wayne not sitting on or touching anything? :)

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    Replies
    1. So pleased to hear I'm not alone with the lack of tanning leg thing!

      I put on a little amount this morning because I didn't want overly orange/brown legs - it said wash it off but I have been VERY VERY VERY lazy and naughty and not washed it off yet - the colour has deepened but still it looks perfectly matched with the rest of my tanned body.

      It's a dry mousse so as soon as it's on it's dry - no John Wayne walking!

      Fiona

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  6. Great post! I'm going to try it - a self tanning virgin. :)
    One question, you say 'leave on' for 1 or 3 hours depending on the depth we desire. So does that mean that we should 'take it off' at some point? Shower or wipe or what?
    Thanks!
    Kxx

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    1. I was TOTALLY lazy and left mine on! It says to shower it off after 1-3 hrs depending on how deep you want the tan. I applied a VERY light coat on my legs and after 3 hrs it was the perfect colour - I waited one more hr and it didn't develop anymore so I left it! I'm not sure you're meant to but I'm lazy like that. I have woken up this morning with the same colour.

      The biggest thing for me is IT DOESN'T SMELL!!!!

      Fiona

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  7. I hate to disagree, but I have been working with a friend on making a fake tan product, hers cost more tham 10 to make including really basic packaging. Hers is chemical free, dha based, tans in an instant and lasts for about three weeks. If this one is being sold at Primark for 8 quid, they are buying for 2 to 3 pounds, which means these guys are making for 1 to 1.50, including packaging at say 50p. It will be dye based an not good for you, you can't buy any decent components for £1. There will be no smell if there is no dha to disguise, that is why it doesn't smell.

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    Replies
    1. Marissa is the inventor - she's not a reseller.
      For me, it worked, I liked it.

      Would very happily review your friends when it's ready!

      Fiona

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  8. Hi Fiona,

    I use St Tropez, but it is considerably more expensive than this little beauty. You say that you left it on, is it a coloured mousse? i.e does it stain bedding or clothing if you leave it on longer than you should. When I use St Trop I have to wear dark clothes and always wash off before going to bed.

    H x

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