St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel

There is something about that healthy golden glow I get from summer. When my skin starts to get a subtle colour I just simply appear healthier and more radiant! So obviously if I can find a product that gives me that subtle result all year round without the sun exposure I am 100% down. I have had an on/off relationship with tanning as I hate when the tan is too dark and starts going patchy/streaky, I would much rather just be pale so read on to see my opinion of St Tropez’s lightweight gel tan…

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You need to know…

Price: £33/$44

Available at: Cult Beauty, Sephora, Ulta, Beauty Bay

What it claims: “This clear and lightweight gel-to-water self-tan starts to develop into a natural medium tan in just 3 hours. With no need to rinse off, this refreshing, non-sticky and fast-absorbing self-tanner provides up to 72hrs hydration, for a longer-lasting and more even streak-free tan.“

Medium Golden Tan
Easy-to-apply with a tanning Mitt
NO rinse | NO streaks | NO transfer | NO self-tan smell
100% clean, vegan-friendly & natural tanning active

What makes it so special?

The two standout features of this product for me is the clear gel texture and the scent. The product is infused with:

Green Mandarin – To refresh & revive skin
Hyaluronic Acid – For a hydration boost
Hibiscus Extract – To protect from pollution

Prep

Prepping your skin the correct way is the key to a perfect lasting fake tan. To prep, I begin 24 hours before the actual tanning where I exfoliate my entire body using my Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub to remove any dead skin sitting on the top. If I am wanting to shave my legs it is best to do it 24 hours before you tan as well to prevent spots in the open pores where the tan seeps in. I will then moisturise everywhere focusing on dry areas such as hands, feet, ankles and elbows in particular with either my Soap and Glory moisturiser or Body Shop Body Yogurt depending on the weather/season.

Application

To apply the product I will moisturize the drier areas again such as hands, feet, ankles and elbows to prevent the tan clinging and going darker in them areas. I will then take the St Tropez Velvet Mitt (my favourite tanning mitt going) and apply the tan in circular motions buffing areas very meticulously since there is no colour guide so I double-check to ensure all areas are covered to prevent any streaks or missed patches.

It’s important to wait until your skin is dry to the touch before dressing to ensure it is even. The tan is meant to have developed within 3 hours however I would say give it 8 hours to see its full potential. Be sure to not rinse it off before 8 hours of developing to ensure it develops fully, but you can go without as St Tropez says on their website however I prefer cleaning it off as I just feel the finished look is more even.

The smell is something of a wonder when applying this product. The tropical, fruity scent is so gorgeous and lasts on your skin for quite some time also although it does fade and a slight fake tan smell seeps through after the 8-hour mark but with a shower, it disappears.

Wear

One layer of this tan gives me a very believable golden glow that had my family questioning whether I had been laying outside to tan! The colour this tan gives is definitely subtle and more noticeable on the paler of us folk which is perfect for me as tans can very easily make me orange.

To maintain the tan I would moisturize daily and exfoliate regularly using the St Tropez Body Polish which is specially designed to maintain a tan allowing it to fade evenly. I have found the tan lasts 5-7 days and does fade evenly with proper upkeep.

Final Thoughts

So far, this is my favourite self-tanning product at the moment. The application process is simply due to the tan being clear as you do not have to worry about transferring on clothes or bedding. It gives me the perfect golden glow that is believable whilst fading evenly throughout the week.

If you are used to normal tanning products there may be a slight learning curve involved as you adjust to the different texture and formula however the ease of use and result will make you stick by this product. If this tan sounds like something up your alley I would 100% suggest you give it a go and follow some of my tips above to ensure a perfect finish!