Self tanning review and compare

How to get the bronzed look without the harmful rays.
 
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  • Updated:4 Oct 2006
 

01.Introduction

Woman at beach

User trial of 21 self-tanning products from $4.67 to $41 per 100ml

159 people trialled the 21 self-tanners for us, with each product being trialled an average of 15 times. Each participant trialled two products.

We asked our trialists to assess:

  • How easy the products are to apply.
  • How long they take to dry.
  • If they have a nice smell.
  • Whether they stained anything other than skin.
  • How the colour looked one and five days after application.
  • How even the colour was.


CHOICE tests are different. We buy the products we test — no freebies from manufacturers. Companies can't buy ads on our site and our work is funded by people like you.

Please note: this information was current as of October 2006 but is still a useful guide today.


Findings:

  • Our results show that a big name or a higher price is no guarantee of how much you’ll like a product. While some of the pricier products rated highly, a few cheaper options also did well.
  • You’ll find lotions, pump sprays, aerosols, towelettes, gels and mousses, but the trialists didn’t consistently prefer any type over another.

Brands trialled

  • AVEDA
  • BANANA BOAT
  • CHRISTIAN DIOR
  • CLARINS
  • CLINIQUE
  • ELLA BACHÉ
  • ESTÉE LAUDER
  • GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE
  • INNOXA
  • LANCÔME
  • LE TAN
  • L'OREAL
  • MEGAN GALE
  • MODEL CO
  • MONNÉ
  • NATIO
  • NEUTROGENA
  • NIVEA SUN
  • PRICELINE
  • SHISHEIDO
  • ST TROPEZ

What else you'll get in this report

As well as the trialists' ratings of 21 sunless tanners you'll also get:

  • Information about the colour, evenness, drying times and scent of the products.
  • Useful tanning tips.
 
 

 
 

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