MsB's Fake Tan Test



One of the joys of working from home is you can take advantage of lovely sunny days. Now that most people have gone back to work, the weeks of grey skys and rain have cleared and summer has kicked in. The smell of honeysuckle and buzz of cicadas has filled the balmy air. I've dug out the Factor 30 as the UV index is off the scale, and I'm getting my bod ready for the beach with a healthy dose of fake tan.

One of the joys of blogging is that you can say exactly what you think. I've always wanted to test beauty products but magazines rely on advertisers. If a product is crap most beauty editors just don't write about it. You never know whether to believe the hype. So I have decided to test things out for myself and write my honest opinions. Here's my round up on fake tans:

Nivea Moisturising Self Tan Spray $14.95
From: Supermarkets and Pharmacies. http://www.nivea.co.nz/
Smell: Toffee/caramel
Colour: A natural golden glow.
Coverage: Good, though rub in well on ankles and knees.
Rating: 3/5
Verdict: My favourite budget tanner. It’s easy to use, doesn’t streak if you are careful and smells lovely. I always keep some in the cupboard for top ups, and travelling and you can buy it pretty much anywhere. Nivea also sell a well priced suncreen range.

Piz Buin Foam (comes in Mid or Max) $29.95
From: Farmers and Pharmacies. http://www.pizbuin.com
Smell: Very light.
Colour: Mid is golden brown, Max is a rich bronze.
Coverage: Easy to apply but keep washing your hands, as it dries fast!
Rating: 4/5
Verdict: I love the foam texture, the Max colour, and how long it lasts. Rub in well as it’s colourless, so you can’t see where it has been applied. Not safe for diy tan virgins.

Ambre Solaire ‘No Streaks Bronzer’ $19.95
From: Supermarkets and Pharmacies.
Smell: Apricot
Colour: Streaky orange
Coverage: Dreadful.
Rating: 1/5
Verdict: Definitely does not do what it says on the tin. I hated the sickly apricot smell, and the aerosol dispenser was unpleasant to use in my small bathroom. It streaked badly and made me look orange.

Fake Bake Dark Tanning Crème $59.25
From: www.boddz.co.nz or Unichem Pharmacies.
Smell: light caramel.
Colour: A natural golden tan.
Coverage: Excellent. No streaks even around ankles & feet.
Rating: 4/5
Verdict: Time consuming to apply but completely foolproof and the best natural result. The colour that lets you easily see where you’ve applied, makes you look muddy so it’s best applied before bed. It washes off in the morning to leave a streak-free golden tan. Perfect for beginners or occasional tanners, it also comes in a foam.

A great place for no holds barred beauty reviews and price comparisons is Dooyoo.. Here's a lovely review on Immac Cold Wax Strips.