It’s gradual tan time again....

[VanCleefArpels]

It’s warm enough to bare ankles so they need some colour. I’m scared of “proper” fake tan so always use a gradual tanner - most recently a Superdrug own brand which I can’t find anymore but was great smell-wise, but have also used all the usual suspects- St Tropez, Garnier Summer Body, Bondi Sands etc. They all suffer from “that” smell on me.

Hit me with your recommendations for a good non-smelly gradual tan - I’m willing to throw some money at this for the right product, it will become a staple as the limbs come out over the next few months!

Garnier/ambre solarise fair spray, dries instantly and no touch no streaks

I like the Clarins drops, but can't always afford them, I mix them with Nivea Soft. Body Shop do something similar, I'd be curious to know what they are like.

The only one I actually 'like' the smell of is St Moriz gradual Tanner! It actually smells nice and isn't sticky, so it's the only one I can actually put on in a morning rather than to sleep in.
It's quite a deep colour, but I just feel it doesn't fade as well as the others so I have to have a good scrub to remove it before reapplying

I rate the Clarins drops that you mix with a moisturiser. I use the face ones but I suspect the body are the same but in a bigger bottle. Still a whiff of burnt biscuits but it wears off quickly.

Tanning drops .. game changer !

Those that use tanning drops how do you mix into your moisturiser? Do you decant it into a separate mixing pot or something?

Skinny tan gradual tanner, I love it.

I like the dove one!

Just started on the Nivea Q10 firming and gradual tan lotion. It's super cheap and I love it.
Nice colour, no smell, no stains and makes my skin very soft and feel a bit tighter too.

I like the Dove one, and I don't notice the smell. I use it on my face too.
If I want a bit more colour I use Bondi sands. I also use the Clarins drops, I just put a blob of body lotion in my hand and add a few drops of Clarins and then swish it together in both hands. I can't use 'proper' fake tan as I don't have the patience for it and it always streaks, particularly around my ankles/feet which is where I normally want it to look OK!

The Samantha Sona gradual tan is fab. I think it’s only available in Australia but they ship to the UK from their website. Takes about a week to arrive, pre-Covid. Well worth the wait.

Great thread.

I used to live in the tropics and as soon as the sun comes out I go 2 shades darker, except for my legs! They are pure white!

I have used Clarin's drops in the past and liked them. I may get the bigger bottle for my legs, to match my face plus I'll be moisturising them so double bonus.

I am also glad I have been looking after my feet after reading on here that summer feet are made in winter. I have had a few trips to the chiropodist after having what I thought were horrible toe fungi. Turns out it is just running trauma. I know how to get them looking good now though.

I'm also a stone lighter, still working on this.

Bring on the warm weather.

I like to use either Bellmianta gradual tan Tan Luxe Gradual. Both go on lovely and no bad smell.

Not exactly a gradual tanner, but the Superdrug 10 minute tan in the pink bottle. I hate leaving gradual tan on my skin, so this is ideal. You can leave it on up to an hour,but I usually put it on, then do my washing/ empty dishwasher etc then shower it off. It still develops over the day but is fairly light and I've never had a disaster with it.

Just jumping on this thread to ask what fair skinned ladies wear? I'm pale and ginger and have never used tanning stuff before but fancy trying for a TINY bit of colour on my legs! Thinking of going for Dove's gradual tanner first, will this just be a bad idea?

Chippyducks I agree the superdrug 10 minute tan is fab, I stick it on one I put the kids to bed, wash it off before bed, no stained bedsheets or clothes, it has developed by the morning and no waiting for it to dry before I can get dressed

Marks and Spencer have a really good one. Surprisingly.

I hate the biscuity smell with a passion and can detect the tiniest whiff of it are there any that smell different

@WindFlower92

Just jumping on this thread to ask what fair skinned ladies wear? I'm pale and ginger and have never used tanning stuff before but fancy trying for a TINY bit of colour on my legs! Thinking of going for Dove's gradual tanner first, will this just be a bad idea?

I'm fair skinned/blonde/blue eyed and like Skinny Tan best. It's an authentic golden colour on me, unlike some which can be reddish, too muddy or olivey in colour.

I dilute with normal moisturiser for face and back of hands. I go with the medium/dark oil on my legs as they dont take tan well.

M&S oil is another good colour for pale people.

Bondi Sands is good in high summer when i need a proper tan.

@slooowdaysinlockdown the Samantha Sona one doesn’t have that biscuity smell. It’s organic but I’m not sure if that’s why, as Eco by Sonia is organic and smells terrible.

Sali Hughes, beauty writer, highly recommends Evolve Sunless Glow Body Lotion.
Made by a small independent company she thinks it's not just a sunless tanner but a brilliant body lotion too.
I've bought it but as yet haven't tried it out as it's still a bit chilly to forego tights.

I like the Clarins drops, added to my usual Cera Ve body lotion.
And the facial ones added to usual Liz Earle moisturiser.
Also like Vita Liberata gradual tan.

Dove I liked but the smell changed. Skinny tan is lovely. Does whiff a bit overnight but they all do.

I blast any tan product with the hair dryer to speed up past the sticky stage.

I absolutely hate the smell of fake tan. Even the ‘non-smelly’ ones smell of it, and it builds up even if you’re showering between applications.

I use The Body Shop honey bronze leg mist, which is more of a make up stain (as in it’ll wash off in the shower) but it doesn’t transfer at all, it does need a scrub and soap! I apply it all over using a mitt and a make up sponge on my face. It’s subtle and easily buildable.