Decent self-tanner, but doesn't stay on very long
Written: Jul 23 '04 (Updated Jul 23 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: More natural looking tan than most.
Cons: Inconsistent coverage from application
The Bottom Line: Definitely recommend to use to maintain a pre-existing tan; not a good product to use to develop color initially.
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| Susan_K's Full Review: Neutrogena Instant Bronze, Sunless Tanner and Bron... |
Let me begin by saying that I have been using the Neutrogena self-tanner for the face for several years now (this is my daily moisturizer and it gives me a little bit of color, especially on those mornings when I feel blah) and I love it. Because I try to avoid "baking" in the sun as I get older I decided to try my hand at the self-tanner route. And since I have had a great experience using the self-tanner for the face I though I would try the self-tanner for the body.
I absolutely love the idea of a self-tanner with a tinted bronzer included so you can see where you have applied. But I noticed almost immediately, even after following the application directions to the letter, I still showed some signs of streaking and noticed spots where I missed.
The directions tell you -- for optimum results -- to first exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells for a smoother application and then to apply an even layer of the self-tanner and to make sure it is completely rubbed in and absorbed into your skin. You are also instructed to continue to apply until you reach the color you want to achieve, then to re-apply a couple times per week to maintain.
What I noticed was no matter how often I exfoliated (always before applying a self-tanner) I was still encountering some blotchiness. I looked on the Neutrogena website and they suggested applying a moisturizer after the self-tanner to help even out the application. This helped a little, but not completely.
As far as color maintenance is concerned, after I had been using the product for about a month I noticed that the color was starting to come off on certain areas on my legs and arms -- it looked like the effect one would have when a sunburn starts to peel and you get that "spotted" look. I decided to do an additional exfoliation to try to smooth out the look so I could re-apply the self-tanner, but the only result I got was an uneven tan color (obviously my "tan" was lighter in the areas where the color peeled off and darker in the already "tanned" areas).
The two things I do like about this product are:
1. The level of moisturizers used did not dry out my skin the way some of the other self tanners did (they are to remain nameless).
2. The color, once dry, does have more of a bronze-brown/tan hue rather than an orange tint (again, others to remain nameless), especially since being of Asian decent I tend to have a yellow/golden tone to my skin already.
I have found, for me, that this product works better after I've achieved a natural tan (with the use of sunscreen of course) and use this as a daily color "pick-me-up" versus layering it on several times a day to try to get a decent color.
The price is competitive with other similar products, so you aren't investing an extravagant amount of money (about $10 -- $11 per tube).
I have actually come across a new self-tanner product from L'Oreal that I think (from trying it out) is quite a bit better (L'Oreal Sublime Self-Tanner w/Bronze Tint -- it's in a gel form vs. a lotion or cream for easier and smoother application). This product gives you instant color and dries on your skin within 5 -- 10 minutes of application. The bronzing tint has a bit or luminescence to it which gives you the appearance of a healthy glow. This product also contains Vitamin E to help soothe and moisturize your skin (the price was about the same -- about 50 cents less than Neutrogena). In addition, the L'Oreal self-tanner has a cleaner fragrance than Neutrogena, almost non-existant which I prefer.
For the money, I prefer the L'Oreal product but I do use the Neutrogena one in a pinch. I think it is a quality product, but it's not a perfect match for me.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Susan_K
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 3 members
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