With the short spurt of warmer weather last week, I got the itch for Spring. Yet there is nothing worse than wanting to wear a skirt only to have pasty, snow white legs. That’s when self-tanning is in order and I decided to give L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion a try. I’m a fan of L’Oreal products and since they make purchasing easy (completely affordable at $10 and found at my local CVS) it was definitely worth a shot. However, this time around I realized the $36 for Aqua Tan’s Body Milk really outbeat the results of this product.
Sublime Bronze is said to have “instant action” which really appears to be more of it first being a “tinted lotion” while the rest of it works with the pigmentation of your skin over the course of a few applications to bring out the tan color. And it really looked just like that–tinted lotion laying on my skin. I’m surprised that Mica is not listed among the ingredients as the lotion is full of glittery specs (or micro-particles), and quite honestly, overloaded with these shiny pieces. So much so that my hands appeared to be covered in a sheet of gold. That’s really not a realistic appearance of a sun-kissed look to me. Not to mention getting it all over my clothes.
On the plus side, Sublime Bronze didn’t have the typical self-tanner fragrance that most are known for. It was scented more like the perfume you would find on the counter’s at Macy’s. I don’t mind perfumey products, but someone with a fragrance allergy might. Still, if I was going to look like a glitter-fest from the early 90′s (remember rubbing sparkly products on yourself before hitting the clubs?) at least I smelled pretty.
I allowed the lotion to absorb and dry and then put on my jeans as usual and went about my day. Then at night as I slipped off my pants I noticed that the self-tanning had gone awry. At the upper part of my calves where my jeans bunch up when I sit, there was a very noticeably “ring” of brown around my leg–about 2 inches thick in diameter. It even duplicated the way my jeans look creased and folded at certain points in the ring. No where else on my legs were there any sign of self tanner except at this muscular portion of my calf–not even at my knee where self tanner loves to go overboard and look dark. I was mortified and a bit embarrassed. Thank goodness the temperature took a dip because there was no way I could wear anything other than pants now. It took about 7 days for the discoloration to go away and that was with scrubbing my legs with some fabulous exfoliators trying to will it away.
Now I know how to self tan–cleansing and exfoliating the skin before applying the product, allowing the product to absorb and dry before putting on your clothes; I’ve used self tanner plenty of times. It’s disappointing to have to say that this is not a good self tanner. I’m sticking with my original statement that Aqua Tan’s Body Milk is really the best self tanner out there.
Have you tried L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze? Was your experience similar or different?
Other self-tanning posts on A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm)
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I’m glad that you reviewed this tanner so that hopefully other people won’t have the experience of weird creasing around the knees, as they’ll opt to not use it.
This stuff is AWFUL! it is still sticky and I applied it almost 2 hours ago. I also have to agree about the whole glitter thing. It is all over my love seat now too. ARGH
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You cannot judge a self tanner’s streaking based on your own stupidity! My gosh…..putting on jeans!? Hello use your head.
Also, do you want any suggestions regarding makeup tricks for staying put longer, not being shiny? I have plenty of makeup artist friends, as well as skin care gurus I can ask to give some tips. Just say the word.
I bought it today, and I took a shower, dried myself fully and applied it, my skin feels really dirty and sticky, I feel like I haven’t showered for days with this stuff on.
If I rub it, it rubs off and it looks like mud.
Too much glitter it is disgusting.
I say SKIP IT.
Try Neutrogena Build. A. Tan it works really well and the color lasts long.
it made this product go on my skin SO WELL. i look amazing. A+++++. I have used SO many bronzers, tinted lotions, hands down this one is THE BEST. NOT STICKY and AMAZING
For one, if your not tan at all and are expecting a magic tan in a bottle, your wrong. Your gonna turn a weird color regardless. If you want a real looking tan I suggest you go get a spray tan at a salon. Ever hear the old saying “you get what you pay for.”?
You need to also take your time with your tan. Shave! & EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE! if your blotchy after a few days its bc you didn’t exfoliate well enough and its sticking to the new skin.
Everyone’s skin is different. Don’t let the negative comments stop you from experimenting and finding what works for YOU. But also, if you have a big event coming up, and your experimenting, I recommend trying it out at least a week before. Try a tester spot also on your inner thigh somewhere if your really unsure. I love L’oreal. It comes out the best on me! If your fairly white I suggest jergens. Not immediate results but you wont look like a pumpkin. Then go from there. And if your concerned with streaks and being a “sparkle”, mix it with your normal hand lotion and apply. Still isn’t working? L’oreal sublime bronze mist is the BEST. Make sure you spray from quite a distance and wait a few days in between before adding another coat to avoid over doing it. Common sense ladies
Exfoliate first (I don’t exfoliate every time, but about every 2 times I apply it).
THe first week I used it I only used it 3 times (not in a row) and after that I only use it 1-2 times per week.
You have to use it sparingly around knees, feet, elbows, hands, and wrists.
Wear rubber gloves and then carefully put it on your hands and wrists.
The sparkle goes away after showering. My best tip is to put it on like a half hour before bed. Walk around naked until it dries. Take a shower immediately when you wake up and you are tan and no sparkle!
WASH your hands with wipes (see below) on your palms, inbetween fingers, fingertips and nails, and a little on your wrists so that hands aren’t orange. THEY WILL turn orange if you don’t wash.
Finally, for any mishaps (i get them on my hands and feet somtimes) use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. It magically takes the imperfections right out.
**Very importantly, try to apply it or at least look atyourself in as much natural light as possible before going out. You can tell imperfections MUCH more in the natural light so they’ll be easier to fix so you don’t walk outside with a huge streak on your hands or face.
Ask a friend to check you out in the natural sunlight and they can tell you if you’re streaky or orange somewhere.
just gotta stand up for this stuff- cause seriously, its so cheap and it gives me a way darker color than any other selftanner i’ve tried at drugstores. don’t be afraid of it. just be sparing when applying.