Loreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee -- The best I've found so far...
Written: Aug 08 '04 (Updated Aug 08 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Pleasant fragrance, streak-free, more natural color
Cons: No guide tint, no light shade available, takes forever to dry
The Bottom Line: Loreal Dermato-Expertise Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee is one of the better self-tanners available. It takes a long time to dry, but the results make it worth the trouble.
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| logimom's Full Review: Loreal Dermato Expertise Sublime Bronze Self Tanni... |
I am so hard-headed, it's pitiful. I continue to stray away from the self-tanner I know works for me in hopes of finding a better one, and I continually find products fit only for the garbage. I think the hard-headed persistence has finally paid off for once, though. I found and tried this new one: Loreal Dermato-Expertise Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee in medium-deep.
The Product
Sublime Bronze Gelee comes in a 5 fl oz orange tube with flip-top cap. The tanner is a translucent, lightly orange-tinted gel, with a consistency slightly less than that of honey. Don't let the orange tint fool you - it is neither a guide color nor an indication of what your skin color will be. It has a clean, fresh scent (which was a pleasant change from the odd odor of most tanners), and contains vitamin E for extra skin conditioning. Sublime Bronze Gelee is available in medium-deep and deep shades.
This product does not contain sunscreen.
Directions
Apply to clean, dry skin. For legs, it is best to exfoliate and shave well before application. Apply using smooth vertical and horizontal strokes, and use sparingly on knees, ankles and elbows, as these areas tend to darken quite a bit more. You don't have to work quite as quickly with Sublime Bronze Gelee as with other tanners because it is a gel and does not absorb or dry as quickly. Loreal states this is a quick-drying formula, but that's a bold-faced lie. I have found it takes an average time of at least an hour. This is also when you being to notice some color development. Full color development occurs in about 3 hours. The instructions state to reapply daily until you reach your desired shade, then one or twice weekly to maintain. That much is not necessary, though.
Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasil Oxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Chloride, Demethicone Copolyol, Fragrance, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Soybean Oil, Tocopherol, Caramel, Red 40, F.I.Ll. #D4036/1 US Patent: 5,741,480
My Thoughts
I must say, for all the work, this self-tanner is worth it. It applies very easily, blends onto feet well, and leaves my skin feeling moisturized, unlike the foaming tanner I bought. I do have a few problems with it, though.
It seems like it takes forever to dry. That makes it darn inconvenient at times. You really have to run naked for at least an hour. Be careful when you sit down, too. There is also no guide tint, but I find it really isn't all that necessary. Sublime Bronze Gelee glides on smoothly, and the coverage is unequaled in any other tanner I've tried. Once you get past the drying stage, you can dress - albeit gingerly.
I use the medium-deep shade. I have medium skin and this shade is almost too dark. It is an unfortunate con that Loreal doesn't offer a lighter shade. Those with fair skin might want to shy away from this one.
The instructions for reapplication are really overkill. I find that one coat once, maybe twice a week is plenty to maintain the color, which is a good thing - considering the drying time required. One thing I've found that extends the "life" of your tan is to shave with an electric shaver, rather than a conventional razor or depilatory cream. Follow up with a good moisturizing lotion, and you're good to go with perfect color.
Now, for what you've been waiting for...
Is it really streak-free?
Yes. Can you hear the Hallelujah Chorus in your head?
I say yes conditionally, though. The secret is in the drying time. If you can get this stuff dry before rubbing against something, you are indeed streak-free. I'm also impressed with the natural color it produces.
For wear, I have no qualms about wearing white shorts or socks, because it doesn't seem to rub off at all, even with all the sweating and hiking we did on our vacation. A definite plus. If this stuff would just dry more quickly, it would be a 5-star product. And if it weren't so dark, I wouldn't be afraid to apply to my face, either -- but it is.
For my final recommendation, I'll give Loreal Dermato-Expertise Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee a thumbs-up. It really has been worth the time and effort it takes to dry.
I'll still probably try other things, though... Next up, Fake Bake
Other sunless tanner reviews:
Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Foam
Neutrogena Instant Bronze Sunless Tanner and Bronzer In One FOAM
© 2004 Donna Standridge
Recommended:
Yes
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logimom
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Member: Donna Standridge
Location: Texarkana, Texas
Reviews written: 213
Trusted by: 149 members
About Me:
Busy getting the new business going... Check out Saphoros Spa Essentials at www.Saphoros.com!
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