Tanning is a pain; if you can make it through application and survive the streaky bits or any missed patches it looks great and gives an instant glowing boost to lack-lustre skin, but let’s face it – it’s a bore to do. Whilst fantasising about beach holidays, shopping in Boots recently I heard an announcement over their in-store radio: tan while you shower with the latest product from St. Tropez… Say what??! Things that seem to good to be true often are, but I just had to find out for myself.
The most exciting part about this patent pending product is that it claims to take just three minutes to do its stuff! Using water to promote a gradual tan the thick creamy product should be applied in the shower to wet skin and left for just three minutes to work – it can then be washed off, with a tan appearing within 24-hours, which builds with reapplication. Exciting stuff!
Following the instructions carefully I washed as normal in the shower – including my hair, which I didn’t want to leave till afterwards as I’m not sure shampoo flowing over the freshly applied product would do any favours! Turning the shower off I applied without a mitt and am a little sad to report does smell a touch like a typical floral biscuit scent associated with classic tanners. Accepting that this is totally something I could live as a compromise to easy tanning, I continued, making sure the product was worked well into my skin. Application was easy and the cream gave a subtle but reassurin lather. Washing my palms I then proceeded to stand awkwardly in the shower for three minutes – clock watching.
Three minutes certainly isn’t long when it comes to activating a golden glow, but boy does it drag when you’re standing getting chilly (naked 🙊 !!) in the shower. #FirstWorldProblems. For anyone trying this out I’d fully recommend having a bit of a plan, for me this included propping my iPad up to watch YouTube and having a cup of coffee ready to be sipped. Anyway – once you’re time is up, the formula washes easily off so you can pat dry and get on with your day. Simple!
Results: I really really wanted to love this, and the routine became quite fun in a weird way, but I’m kind of gutted to report that this product just didn’t really do much for me and ended up seeming like as much effort stretched over a week, than it would be to just apply an over night tan like the St Tropez original lotion. I was also a little unsure about applying moisturiser once dry in case it messed with the science, particularly as it advises that it will offer your 24-hours hydration. I opted to dry and go and my skin did feel quite dry and flakey by the end of the week.
I took the pictures at the same time each day in natural light and haven’t edited them – as you can see I still look really pale!!
I continued using the product for a further couple of days and did see the colour deepen, but not much. The colour I got was very natural with absolutely no streaks but I’m just not sure it’s worth the effort for such minimal payback and I much prefer the St Tropez express tan instead, which is also quick to use and can be left for less time to develop for a more subtle, natural colour.
Have you used this product, what did you think? I’d love to hear feedback in the comments. ❤️
