Get a No-Fuss, Natural-Looking Tan with Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner [Review]
I’ve had enough bad self-tan incidents to know that I’m a gradual tanner kind of gal. I can’t tell you how my life has improved since discovering gradual tanning products. If you’ve never used gradual tanner, it’s basically like self-tan for dummies. Your chances of messing up your tan when you’re using gradual tanner are slimmer than Kim Kardashian’s waist and if you invest in a great product you’re guaranteed to have a streak-free, natural looking result. I’ve tried loads of gradual tanning products over the years but so far the Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner takes the cake for me. This award-winning at-home tanning product is loved by melanin-challenged lasses (and lads) around the globe and for good reason!
Skinny Tan became a global success after appearing on UK TV show, Dragons’ Den. The brand went from startup to global success after its founders, Louise Ferguson and Kate Cotton, made the most successful pitch for investment in the history of the BBC2 TV show in 2013 netting a £60,000 investment from interior designer Kelly Hoppen and IT businessman Piers Linney, in return for a 10 percent stake in their business. After successful launches in the UK and US, Skinny Tan is now also available in South Africa with a wide range of products to suit every tanning need. If you’ve used Skinny Tan’s products before then you’ll know that their products are nothing short of incredible. I reviewed the Skinny Tan Body Mousse a little while ago and for a while the hydrating, cellulite-taming tanner was my favourite way to get a glow, that is until I discovered the Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner.
Perfect for the most subtle tan, this gradual tanner allows you to build colour up each day until you reach your desired level of tan. After two to three days of applying this product you’ll have a beautiful, natural looking tan with zero streaks. It’s the ideal choice for anyone who loves to have control over how dark or light their self-ten is because you can basically customise your colour. The product contains lower levels of Skinny Tan’s naturally-derived tanning agents and is enriched with Grapeseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and soothing Aloe Vera, making it ideal to be used as a daily moisturiser for the face and body.
The rich lotion has a body butter-like texture and feels ultra-luxurious going on. I’ve got quite dry skin so this thick, buttery texture is a real winner for me. It leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated after applying and, as a lazy girl who doesn’t have the time or inclination to apply a separate body lotion every day, this 2-in-on tanning and moisturising solution is a no-brainer. It also has a divine coconut scent that makes you feel like you’re on holiday every time you apply it. One tube of this wonder tanner will maintain your tan for up to four weeks with very little fuss at all. Trust me, tanning has never been this easy!
The lotion’s thick texture also means it’s easy to see where you’re rubbing into the skin, giving you even more peace of mind that you’ll be streak-free when the colour fully develops. You’ll start to notice a subtle tan developing about 5 hours after applying and from there you can decide to top it up the next day to develop a more medium tan, or keep going until you’ve achieved a more intense colour. I’ve been using the tanner for a few weeks now and I like to do two applications over a 24-hour period to keep my skin feeling oh-so-soft and my tan looking great. Just remember, to give the product a break once you’re desired tan is achieved. You can then apply the product weekly to maintain your results or when you notice your tan fading.
I’ve used this product on my entire body, even my face and have been loving the results. Applying it is super easy and don’t have to do all the pre-tan prep schlep that comes with other self-tan products to achieve a great result. You simply apply it like you would a body lotion and wash off after about 5 hours. You can also leave it overnight if you’re hoping for a more intense result. The great thing about this lotion is it’s also quite fast drying and doesn’t transfer to clothing or sheets, so you can be confident you won’t ruin your sheets or your clothes after applying the product.
Another interesting thing about the Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner is the dash of caffeine added to the product – this is where the ‘skinny’ bit comes in. As you may know, caffeine is often hailed as a cellulite buster and the caffeine, sourced from Guarana berries, included in the formula of this lotion will definitely help in your quest to improve the appearance of cellulite over time. I noticed that the product has a little bit of a firming effect when you use it but I haven’t been using it long enough to confirm if it makes a big difference to reducing the appearance of cellulite. Of course, having a natural glow will also help you to look slimmer and more toned so this product is a winner if you’re looking for a quick fix in that department.
Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner is available at Dis-Chem Pharmacies, selected Clicks stores, and also online from Takealot and the Skinny Tan website at R250.
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