WHICH IS BETTER?

I've been a self-confessed fake tan addict for years and decided to share my views on the two biggest names in tanning. This guide is an honest review for anyone who has been tempted to try out the celeb's favourite but would rather know more before splashing that kind of cash!

ARE THEY WORTH THE MONEY?

In a word, YES!  BUT I have seen many reviews on both products were people have not liked them at all. I am totally unbiased here as I am merely a user and not a seller but the most important thing is that they do not suit everyones skin tone!

WHICH ONE IS BETTER, THEN?

The truth is, they are both brilliant! Sorry if this just confuses you more but it's true! Both give a natural looking tan. BUT the key is knowing that the two do DIFFERENT THINGS! And also knowing what one is best for YOU.

SO WHAT ONE IS BEST FOR ME?

I use both of the tanners but for different occassions:

• When I'm feeling a bit 'pasty' and just want to add a light colour, I go for the St. Tropez! ONE APPLICATION IS ENOUGH FOR VERY PALE SKIN!
• When I'm going out, I opt for the Fake Bake Beyond Bronze (or Xtreme Gel as I think the B.B is no londer available in shops). It gives a deep colour and is BEST FOR DARKER SKINS, IMO!

ARE THEY EASY TO APPLY? I'M RUBBISH AT APPLYING FAKE TAN!

If you are a complete novice, I would opt for the St. Tropez as it is easier to apply!

If you don't fake tan on a regular basis, you are not going to like Fake Bake! It can be quite tricky to apply as the lotion can be quite thick!

PROS AND CONS:

• CON: Can be tricky to apply so defintely not for fake tan virgins unless you go to a salon!
• PRO: Just like the saying, "it's easy when you know how!"
• CON: R.R.P 22 pounds a bottle
• PRO: Buy it from eBay and save yourself some money, yay!
• CON: Goes on very dark so you cannot "tan and go". The bottle says you can but to be honest, I wouldn't as the colour guide is a bit funny! It is much better to leave it on overnight then wash off in the morning!
• PRO: The colour guide is a bonus though. The instant colour lets you see where you're applying it and helps you to achieve the streak-free look.
• CON: If wearing it overnight, it can stain your sheets, PJ's and your boyfriend/hubby lol! Can stay "tacky" for a while after application.
• PRO TIP: I have a longish, old night gown that I put on when tanning! And I also try to leave an hour between application and jumping into bed so it's completely dry.
• CON: Xtreme Gel or Beyond Bronze is not for the very pale.
• PRO: Fake Bake does, unlike St. Tropez, come in different shades. Their normal Self-Tanning Mousse or Lotion is not as dark as the Xtreme gel, and gives the same light colour as St. Tropez I'd say. I also think the Mousse is easier to apply!
• CON: It stinks a little!
• PRO: There is no bonus to this lol, though the smell will probably put your man off if you're having a "Not tonight darling, I have a headache" moment! : p Just joking, ladies!
• CON: Unlike St. Tropez, they do not have a gradual, everyday moisturiser with fake tan. Come on Fake Bake, I'm surprised at you! Everyone and their granny has one of these gradual tanners out!

• CON: This is not good if you want an instant deep tan. To achieve a base colour or deeper tan, St. Tropez recommends applying for two or three consecutive nights (which is time consuming!)
• PRO: It is uber easy to apply, but again, I prefer the Whipped Bronze Mousse for even lighter, easier application.
• CON: R.R.P 17.50- 20 quid.
• PRO: Again, you can find it much cheaper either on eBay or online. I actually bought a full system (that is, body polisher, fake tan and moisturiser) from TK Maxx for only 20 quid! But I do truly believe they are both worth the money when used properly.
• CON: Does not have different shades like Fake Bake, sadly! One colour suits all (supposedly)
• PRO: You can "tan and go", it absolutely great for legs! If you decide you want to wear a skirt but the British weather has left you pasty, just stick it on and viola! Looks like you're wearing tights! Dries quick and doesn't stain!
• CON: Not so good for people with darker skin who want an instant tan!
• PRO: It doesn't stink like Fake Bake!
• CON: Has no colour guide like Fake Bake (but I'll admit it is dark enough to notice where you're putting it).
• PRO: I really recommended their Everday moisturiser to give a gradual tan. This does come in two shades, fair to medium and medium to dark. Again, fab for a light colour.
• CON: Can take a while to achieve even a medium tan this way!

SOME TIPS FOR APPLICATION

There are loads of guides on this but I thought I'd just add some tips of my own as I think I've now got it down to a fine art!  :-) But of course, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

GOLDEN RULE: ALWAYS EXFOLIATE (PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO KNEES, ANKLES AND ELBOWS) AND MOISTURISE BEFORE TANNING!!!

THE BODY

• I always tan from my feet upwards, and always in sections like this:

• I do my shins first, then wipe the excess lightly onto the tops of my feet. I do not use any more for my feet!
• I then do my thighs and repeat the excess process onto my knees.
• Next is the stomach and I can usually manage to do my own lower back at the same time. I usually can tan up to where my bra strap would sit before I need to ask for help getting the rest of my back!
• Don't forget to get your sides whilst your at this bit! Gotta be golden all over! ;)
• Next is the chest and neck.You'll probably need help doing your upper back!
• I then do my upper arms and shoulders.
• Then the forearms. Take off one glove and lightly wipe any excess onto the back of the hand. Repeat with other hand. You mustn't get orange palms now, argghhh!
• Put gloves back on to do the face.

      THE FACE

• If you don't like having your face too dark, it is far better to use a lighter tanner on it, an everday gradual tanner or to simply mix the fake tan you will be putting on your body with your normal moisturiser!
• I find St. Tropez Everyday Moisturiser for the face to be the BEST for gradual tanning! Have tried many others like Avon and even better brands like L'oreal but this is the best because it is not greasy or oily at all!
• If you have problem skin (which I used to have when I was younger), fake tan on your face can sometimes make spots stand out or look even worse so I would advise using the above methods.
• And of course, always exfoliate and moisturise with products that are suitable for the face (and not the products you are going to use to exfoliate and moisturise your body, these are often too harsh for the face).
• Avoid putting the fake tan on your eyebrows or hairline, can stain!
• DON'T FORGET BEHIND YOUR EARS LOL, SO MANY PEOPLE FORGET THIS, JUST WIPE A TINY LITTLE BIT OF EXCESS ON THEM!
• I also like to use moisturiser on top of the fake tan on especially dry areas or just at your jaw line to avoid any "tide marks" if you're just tanning your face! This avoids patchiness!

MORE TIPS

• It's handy to have some fake-tan removal wipes if you have any accidents!
• Scrub your palms afterwards!!!
• If you are going out and will be painting your toe nails, paint them AFTER you've tanned! Covers up any fake tan that may have stayed on your nails! :)
• SHAVING. This is my own personal experience but thought I'd mention it in case anyone has had the same problem. I find that if I shave my legs BEFORE I use fake tan, the fake tan then seeps into your pores where the hairs have been! Leaving you with little dots on your legs no matter how hard you exfoliate beforehand! If this happens to you, just exfoliate some more the morning after you've completed tanning and it goes away. If you shave AFTER applying fake tan, I find it kind of "scrapes" the tan off slightly, leaving your legs paler! :(
• If you decide to go with Fake Bake, do not worry if the tan looks a total mess and patchy when you first apply! THIS IS NO INDICATION OF THE FINAL OUTCOME, I HAVE LEARNED! It washes off in the shower leaving you with an even tan underneath.
• If you do spot some areas that look slightly darker than others, say, the ankles or knees, lightly "buff" off with a towel (best make sure it's an old, dark coloured one though, oops!)
• Sounds daft, but make sure you avoid getting any under your arms. Orange sweat is NOT a good look (especially on your new white top, arrggh!) If you accidentally get some here, just "buff" it off or wipe with a tan removal towel!

I hope this guide has given you some good info on the two fake tans! If you liked my guide, please vote for it, thank you!