Stop lying about self-tan!

[TheRussianDoll]

Okay, lighthearted but seriously…

So so many self tan products claim there’s “no self tan smell!” And sure enough, I read the reviews and people claim the product is wonderful, no smelly biscuit aroma but… once bought and trialed, I end up binning the mousse/lotion/gel because it makes me gag. Even the following day, post second shower and body lotion on, it smells dreadful. Is it me? Am I just sensitive to the DHA aroma?

I have tried…

Bondi Sands
Skinny Tan
St Tropez
St Moritz
Vita Liberata
Garnier Gradual Tan
Clarins
No7

Anything I’ve missed? Is it time I gave up?

TIA

Dove? The gradual one. That doesn’t smell I don’t think.
I had a Primark one once that did smell but it was lovely pineapple smell. No idea if they still make it.

The smell is caused by a chemical reaction. Some people do not produce the smell.
I absolutely STINK when I use fake tan. I have tried them all including the drops you add to moisturiser. It all stinks on me.
My friend has no smell at all just a golden glow

Elemis gradual tan

They all smell (definitely including Dove). I think if it has the chemical which colours the skin, then it will smell.

Following with great interest as I haven't found one yet.
I did borrow my dd's Iconic Bronze last week & it smelt amazing when I put it on but 30 minutes later it had changed to the usual fake tan whiff.
St Tropez spray is the best of a bad lot for me but a right mess to apply.

I think it has to smell to work. I just don't bother and embrace my pasty pale legs.

yanbu
same for sunscreen.

doesn't smell my arse.

self tan smells of headache to me

Exactly!

It’s so annoying. Recently tried a Holland & Barratt one which smelled gorgeous on application. I waited to dress and within half an hour, there it was. Glorious colour but the SMELL! Awful. Not do-able. Binned!

What about the non-DHA ones? Anyone with any experience? I’m a larger lady and milk bottle white. I want something to use just once a week to take the edge off the pallor but they’re all foul.

Years ago I could use them and it was a smell I could put up with. Not now.

In the days before I embraced my pasty legs I also used to hate the fake tan smell.
I found it better to use the leg makeup type products - I am sure it was by benefit buts it's probably discontinued by now.
No biscuit smell - and wasn't bad at rubbing off on clothes although I tended to not use it with light colours. (If i needed that then I would put up with the biscuit smell for say something like a special occasion)

Luxe Tan. No smell. I promise. Fantastic tan.

@HappyGirlNow Any particular one? I’m presuming the more DHA they have the stronger the smell? 😊

Do you mean this brand?

😊 this?

Any fake tan with DHA in will smell, doesn’t matter what claims they make! Utan make a DHA free one but have never tried, might be worth looking into. I think I’m so used to the smell now I don’t notice it anymore

I’m convinced that it’s the reaction of fake tan on my skin rather than the product itself - and it never smells like biscuits (because I’m sure I’d like that) so you may be the same?

I use a wash off bronzer mixed with body lotion on my legs when I need a bit of colour now.

@Greenhillfaraway… you may be right. As I say, years ago, it didn’t seem so bad. Perhaps my own body chemistry has changed what with menopause and everything.

Try Isle of Paradise, I've not had the tan smell with that one.

@AndrewPeacock… which one have you tried? There’s lots of them!

I use the tanning water (medium as it addresses red tones) as I find it easy but friends like the drops which they just add to their moisturiser.

If you find out please let me know. I don’t even smell of biscuits with fake tan I can’t even describe the smell, it’s not horrific just...not pleasant 😂

I used to be a complete fake tanning addict. I feel for those I used to socialise with 😣

You had Clarins - which one? The gel or the drops? I find the gel SO effective, natural and non-streaky, but it does smell a bit.

The Clarins drops you just add to your own moisturiser. I can't remember if there's a smell, sorry.

I get the fake tan smell with most. My favourite as I don't smell quite as bad is bondi sands Pure. It's a mousse & goes on clear. Not as sticky as the others. I absolutely stink with most others but as I say I'm not too noticeably bad with this one. There is still a faint whiff!

@SilverHairedCat Clarins drops and lotion… foul!