Product Comparison: Self-tanners

I was at Walmart a few weeks ago--they happen to have the best prices on small appliances and I happened to be in the market for a toaster oven, which I now no longer am because I bought a lovely 6-slice Hamilton Beach model there for $28.00--and I noticed two new gradual self-tanning moisturizers in the sun care aisle that looked promising.  So, of course, I bought them.

Both contain "skin-firming" ingredients, but that wasn't a factor in my purchase.  From everything I've read, that stuff doesn't work 24 hours after you stop slathering it on your skin, anyway.  Here's my product review and comparison:

St. Ives Healthy Brilliance Firm & Glow, 8 oz.

• Scent: Light floral, standard St. Ives

• Emollience: Good, but wouldn't stand up to once-daily use in the winter

• Color: Pretty sheer the first few days, then turns into a nice self-tanner tan (line-free and fairly believable)

• Other pros: Not tested on animals, no baked goods smell

• Other cons: The bottle pump design needs some rework; hard to handle with slick fingers and dispenses very small dollops

Malibu Tan Golden Glow Hemp Skin-firming Bronzer Moisturizer, 12 oz.

• Scent: Strongly fruity, reminiscent of various car air fresheners

• Emollience: Fair; could be better, but the hemp oil does add a nice softness

• Color: Nice and quick, yet gradual and line-free

• Other pros: Not tested on animals, minimal baked goods smell

• Other cons: I think you can only get this at Walmart; also, seriously, I smell like I just fell out of the Stratus, gagging and gasping for air after leaving Mister Carwash where my car was maliciously desecrated with triple sprays of each cherry, coconut, jasmine, and new car

Both products were right around $5.00, but you get four more ounces with the Malibu Tan option.  Despite how much I love the fragrance of the St. Ives lotion, the product packaging is so awkward that I'd hesitate to buy it again.  But the smell of the less expensive Malibu Tan lotion has officially started to kind of gross me out, so I'm not sure I'd buy it again either.

Comments

[Ed Kohler]

I need pictures.

[You know who]

Walmart? Seriously?

[ALEXISNUMBERONEFANFOREVER42]

YES! We need PICTURES! I am going to use the same lotion as you so I can say I have the same skin as the FAMOUS ALEXIS BRADSHAW!!!!

[A Noun (is a person place or thing)]

I'm still trying to figure out what the "baked goods smell" is, and why it's not desirable. Guys seem to like it when I smell vaguely of cake. I'm not baking them one, though. I'm a pastry tease.

[Alexis]

The smell comes from the main ingredient, DHA. I can't figure out how else to describe it, other than "baked goods."

[Marchelle]

Pale and proud here, baby. PALE AND PROUD!

[targetisbadenough]

walmart? walmart? walmart?

[walmart is evil]

sure, "because they happen to have the lowest prices." !

[A non-hater]

To: ALEXISNUMBERONEFANFOREVER42

I'd just like to say that you are a DICK! Seriously, get a life.

[Fygar]

Anytime you want to try Costco, let me know. I've got the hook-up there. It kinda breaks my heart that you would shop Walmart.

[Cecilia]

Before my cousin’s wedding last week and I tried on my mauve bridesmaid dress. I was so pale I almost cried. My friend Karen recommended sunless tanning lotion. I was uneasy about this idea since I’ve had a horrible past experiences with smell and blotchy marks that were left on my skin. Karen offered me a product by Sun Labratories to try. I was amazed at how even my tan looked. No blotchy marks and I no horrible smell. Thanks Sun Labratories you saved the day!

[Joe the Dog Lover]

I simply keep my pasty skin white proudly.

[Christine]

I normally avoid self tanners and other sunless tanning lotions because of the smell. I did try Adonia Bronzing Glow and found that while it did have a very light smell right after it was applied, it went away within a few minutes. I haven't heard of the Sun labs tanner, maybe I'll give that one a try too.