Anyone have problems with self tan but found an amazing one??

[Purplerainbow]

I have hated all fake tans that I have tried despite following the correct guidance, exfoliating etc etc. I have tried at home and also had spray tans. Always the same. Horrible smell you can smell for ages and ALWAYS horrible at the knees and goes patchy or streaks.

Do I give up forever or has anyone actually found one I should try? I have pale skin that does not tan so I wouldn't want to be too dark?

Clarins Radiance Glow drops are nice, and easy to use: just add to your normal moisturiser/ body lotion.
There are separate drops for face and body.

I've used Santa Monica self tanning wipes for about three years. Amazon, about a fiver. Moisturise first then apply in a circular motion. I've tried other things but these are the best! (And cheap!)

Bondi sands, I hate fake tan but never had an issue with this. No streaking, not orange, don't moisturise before, you just swipe it on, takes seconds to apply. You can wash it off after an hour for a light tan or sleep in it and shower in the morning if you want to go darker.

The L'Oreal spray one is very good and natural looking. Minimal smell too.

St Tropez mousse, applied with the special mitt

kenneth which bondi sands do you use? Just had a look on superdrug a day there are gradual lotions, foam etc

Clarins Milky Tan x

Bondi Sands is my winner. I use those throwaway gloves they use in hospitals because fake tan mitts are all shite, even the fancy ones.

I also use vaseline on my knees, ankles, elbows and hairline before I tan, and exfoliate every day for a week beforehand.

Bondi Sands mousse is the best. I don't even get on with St Tropez

Bondi Sands mousse. I use Light/Med & leave in for 2 hrs.

All the Clarins tanners. So reliable, I'll be using it on my wedding day!

Another vote for St Tropez in shower. Builds with a couple of uses but it's the first time I've been completely streak free!! Very little smell to it too. It's currently on offer in Tesco.

I have gone back to the Garnier Summer Body gradual tanning lotion - I used it years ago but gave up because I hated the smell and found it patchy, but in the intervening years it has vastly improved. I am very pale and it has given me a really healthy glow, not orangey or patchy at all, and it smells pleasant enough too. Obviously not as intense as some you can buy, but works for me.

Happy with Dove tan moisturiser, used it for years. Med-Dark on legs and body and Fair-Med on face.

Hand Chemistry Glow Oil is really good, it builds up over a couple of applications, there is no DHA in it so doesn't have the usual smell. There is also the Hylamide Glow Serum for your face, I am so pale that I am practically blue and I get lots of compliments about how natural the tan looks.

I've used lots in the past but last week I used some Clarins gradual tan that I had shoved in a drawer (not even sure if they make it anymore) and it gives the most natural colour ever. It smells nice even after I've slept in it. I had so many compliments over the weekend. Not asking where my fake tan was from, but saying how well I looked and how I have caught the sun.

I tried Vita Liberata gradual tan and it is orange and not gradual at all.

I should've add that gradual tanners don't work with me at all and iv tried them all!!

So Vaseline on your elbows/knees etc do you wipe it on and wait for it to eventually sink into your skin or splodge it on and fake tan 'over' the Vaseline?

I haven't heard of the bondi one.... any tips with that?

I'm reluctant to try to st tropez in shower as it always always looks awful with the mousse..

St moritz from body care £2.99 and I think it's brilliant!

Dd would recommend Skinny Tan. No streaks. There's mousse and lotion.
I like Palmers Natural Bronze.

Sorry to hijack; I've tried two different fake tans recently and each time it just comes off when i shower the next morning. I exfoliated, moisturised and they are definitely not 'one use then wash off' type ones. Anybody know what's going on?

@Crushsick are you maybe sweating it off during the night. Or maybe you're applying too much moisturiser? You really only need a bit on your knees, elbows knuckles and ankles.

@pandorawithtreaclecolouredhair I love the effect of the Clarins drops but they don't half stink. Do you notice that fake tan smell?

another vote for Garnier Summer Body lotion. Im so pale im almost blue so I use the one for fair skin.. never had a problem with it streaking and often mix it with another moisturiser to top it up. I usually put it on before bed,.. . yes, its a little 'biscuitty' smelling when you wake up but that washes off. ,good product i think

crush I think thats could just due to you washing off the 'excess' lotion which hasnt sunk in? I find that happens also , but the skin is definately coloured underneath .. You can build it up gradually though by applying more .

Another vote for Bondi Sands here. It goes a believably ashy colour on me rather than a warm orange tone which is more how I tan. It's terrifyingly dark when you put it on, but use a mitt or gloves, wear loose pjs and shower off in the morning. It smells of coconut quite strongly but I don't mind the smell. I recently used a Garnier spray one and it was disappointingly orange and patchy.

Question about exfoliation - I've been body brushing, thanks to the advice of an amazing Mumsnetter on another thread. Is that enough or do I need to buy a scrub and do that as well?

I've never done fake tan before and am really, really pale so terrified!