As the temperatures continue to rise and you find yourself heading for a beachside destination, it’s time to fake your way to the perfect golden glow. We put two industry bests to the test to find out which one you should be adding to your beauty cabinet.
The Product: St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
This super-lightweight, velvety mousse is said to dry in 60 seconds and promises to deliver a rich-bronze tan.
The Application:
After a thorough exfoliation and good measure of moisturizer to tend to all my dry areas (elbows, knees, ankles, and feet), I applied this tinted mousse from top to toe. Then, as per the instructions, I waited 60 seconds before getting dressed and spent the next four hours steering clear of water and avoiding white upholstery like the plague. The product itself was a little difficult to get an even coverage—no matter how hard I rubbed, it just wouldn’t seem to even out as much as I would have liked. However, on a positive note, it didn’t have that usual telltale fake tan “aroma” which made for a nice change.
The Result:
The next morning, I hopped in the shower, and as what looked like gravy streamed off my body after a quick towel dry, my skin gleamed with a perfectly golden, natural looking tan. Here, I must admit that I did have the odd light patch (note to self: be a little more attentive during the application process).
VS.
The Product: Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15
This self-tanner, moisturizer, and sunscreen has a whipped cream-like formula that ought to melt into the skin, creating a gradual, natural-looking tan.
The Application:
After the necessary exfoliation stage, I applied this mousse swiftly over my limbs. This time around, I didn’t have to worry about staining everything I touched as this formula soaks into the skin and builds gradually. The soufflé-like consistency made this beauty routine as easy as applying my daily moisturizer.
The Result:
The next morning I awoke to a very subtle golden glow. It was probably lighter than I would have preferred, but with another application that very night I did manage to achieve my desired shade of bronze.
THE VERDICT: The Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15 wins this round, due largely to the ease of application. Although the color is quite light, the product is buildable, so with time, you can achieve the perfect shade for you.
