Decent (non-fake looking) gradual tan lotion?

[SideWonder]

I normally take a laissez-faire attitude to tanning in simmer - I don't tan specifically, I don't do sunbeds or fake tan, and just let my arms & face get that slightly "sun-kissed" (ergh what a phrase!) look. I'm very fair and either get this very faint reddish pink tan, or stay lily white.

But -- It's so hot at the gym, and I'm wearing shorts sometimes - I haven't for years because my legs were not nice to look at. After 5 years solid gym work heavy lifting, my legs are OK to inflict on other eyes. But they're so white! I don't want full on fake tan but I wondered about one of those 'gradual tanning' body lotions. Just so that my legs get a bit more of a pale biscuit colour rather than the milk white pallor they have currently.

What has worked for you? Do they work at all?

I'm very pale and regularly use Skinny Tan gradual tan in medium. It's really, really hard to rub it into your skin but because of this it always turns out even and lasts well. I've recently tried Dove - rubs in way too easily so can be patchy - found the light one too light so mixed it with a bit of the dark and it was nice. Give them a go, just rub in well all over your skin!

The palmers one is good can get in body care very cheap.

I bought the dove one recently as there was nothing else in the shop and was surprisingly impressed. I used the no 7 boots one too last year and it’s good.
I applied it then next day just reapplied it to my thighs and calves and not my feet and knees as otherwise it builds up on kness and feet and looks odd plus use a tanning mit so you don’t get streaks. You have to play about with how much you reaply it so you get the colour you want. At the moment I do it 2 or 3 times a week

Superdrug own brand is the only one that doesn’t smell on me - absolutely swear by it

oooo thank you all!

What a lovely excuse to meander through Superdrug/Boots !

I’ve been using a Bondi Sands gradual tanner with their tanning mit. Recommended by someone I follow on instagram and really impressed. The foam is really easy to use and apply. Cheapest on Amazon when I bought it the other week.

I haven't found one in recent years but I definitely do NOT recommend the St Moriz one in my bathroom, it has left me with massive random patches of dark brown on my legs. I've never seen a gradual tanner go so badly streaky and the dark patches haven't washed off 3 showers later.

I find the Dove one works really well. It doesn't smell biscuity on me.

I use the st tropez one, I'm not very careful and I find it more forgiving than others that leave massive orange blotches.

I like the dove one. One or twice a week is enough for me to take off the bright white edge. I moisturise Kees and ankles first to avoid dark patches.

Some of these sound like full on fake tanners, which need several applications? Not interested in a full-on tan (it always screams "Fake" on me)

I've seen bottles of stuff (Dove was one, also Nivea, I think?) which seem to be normal body lotions, but they add a little bit of colour each time. I just wondered if those actually work.

I may have to get a few small travel bottles of these recommendations, and experiment. Thanks, everyone!

The Dove gradual mousse is great. I'm a recent convert. Whack it on, never streaks, no long drying time, doesn't stain bedsheets and lovely natural colour. I do it a couple of times a week - super easy. A little goes a long way.

No St Tropez defo have a gradual one. It's literally a moisturiser with tint in.

Bondi Sands gradual tan mousse. I have tried literally all the other brands and I either get streaks or turn an odd colour.

One application and I am slightly off white and my legs match my face.

Second this. I use it in the winter.

Beauty professional here.

Dove for light skin.
James Read if you have big bucks.
Tan Away from Kanzen if you make a mistake.

If you are going for the Superdrug gradual tan (yes, a moisturiser with a hint of tan) read the tube carefully as the packaging is identical to their “proper” fake tan. I also don’t like the latter, the gradual tan stuff gives you the chance, after a couple of days, to stop when it gets to the “just right” stage rather than risk going over the top with a fake tan proper

Yes I mean the Dove gradual lotion, the light one.

Any type of fake tan is sweating off me at the moment, so I’m using the Rimmel instant tan in medium mat.
Its a pretty good natural colour and only comes off with soap and water. Downside is that you have to apply it each morning but it’s quick!

Well, reporting back - although my experimentation is not scientific! I browsed a whole new area of Superdrug (I've always avoided the tanning area) and settled on the Palmers brand of gradual tan because I already have a couple of Palmers products - their dry body oil, their cocoa scented body cream, and a really gorgeous vanilla scented light hair wax which makes my blonde hair very shiny. I love that chocolately, vanilla scent.

I went a bot over the top the first time, and realised that it is still like a fake tan (OMG there were streaks). I had fantasised that there was something chemically that magically browned my skin, rather than that I was applying pigment, IYSWIM. But I know apply it with a damp flannel a couple of times a week, and it's just taken off the blue pallor of my legs.

I'm going to try the Dove one next time I'm near a Superdrug.

Thanks everyone!

I really like the Bondi Sands gradual tan, the blue bottle.

Aldi fake tan mousse and is the best ever. Two pumps and massage in with tanning mits. I went and bought 2 identical mitts and the coverage is non streaky.
It's not gradual but it doesn't go patchy so you don't need gradual. Honestly it's the holy grail of fake tan for me!

For years I’ve used the dove gradual tan moisturiser, I don’t think about it but just slap it on my legs most days. I’m pale and use the light to medium one. However I have recently tried the bondi sands drops. Add them to your normal moisturiser and rub on. Again I’m a bit slap happy but it seems to blend in really well and the colour looks super natural (comes up over 24 hours on me).

Dove Body love Summer revived . My absolute go to.🙂

Bondi sands gradual tanner, its in a clear blue foaming bottle and is clear on application. I put it on with a mitt, really liked it and it was subtle