REVIEW - Palmer's Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser
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enjoys freebies · Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:48 am Quote

Palmer's Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

The third, and final product, of my fake tan review trilogy.

Ingredients: aqua, isopropyl palmitate, dimethicone, glycerin, cocoa seed butter, steryl stearate, PEG 100 stearate, propylene glycol, bentonite, lanolin alcohol, fragrance, erythrulose, tocopheryl acetate, diazolindinyl urea, steryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, methylparaben, citric acid, propylparaben, disodium EDTA, dihydroxyacetone, benzyl alcohol, yellow 5, orange 4

The Promises:
"This creamy, moisturising lotion with a special combination of pure cocoa butter and vitamin E, is the perfect way to keep your skin beautiful and healthy with a natural-looking glow. With just a touch of self-tanner, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze creates a delicate, sun-kissed, summer glow all year long. Gradually build a subtle tan within a few days, whilst deeply moisturising your skin. From fair to medium to dark, control the intensity of your skin tone year round...

For best results, apply evenly once daily or as often as necessary to achieve the desired level of colour. Wash hands after use."

My verdict - does it deliver?:
Ooooooooooooh, the big, fibbing, porky-pie peddlers!

Okay, this comes in a plastic pump-top container - which isn't ideal for travelling, unfortunately.

If you like Palmer's Cocoa Butter products, then you're probably going to be very familiar with both the texture and the smell. I was already a Palmer's fan and so enjoyed the creamy consistency (don't know why they call it a lotion - 'cos it's absolutely not!) and the sweet, caramel-chocolate scent.

Usually, I exfoliate and moisturise well before applying self-tanning products. With this, I performed the exfoliation routine, but didn't find it necessary to moisturise - thus saving both time and money.

I applied the Natural Bronze all over my body, but not my face. Because this is touted as a gradual tanner, I used two layers instead of just one, as I wanted to speed things up a little. I was careful to apply only a tiny amount (what was left-over on my hands after applying to other parts of my body) to trouble spots such as knees, feet, ankles and elbows.

Although the lotion/cream was rich in texture, it dried pretty quickly, and I was able to dress for bed after 15 minutes of waiting.

Instead of his usual whining about horrible, biscuity fake tan smells, my husband actually complimented me on how nice I smelt next morning. (He really loves the Palmer's Cocoa Butter scent.) In fact, I'm very surprised that they don't seem to mention this fact on the container. It's the only inexpensive self-tanner I've found that doesn't have a horrible after-stench.

Upon examination, my body was evenly tanned - perhaps a little too dark around my ankles, and a little too light on my chest. However, my hands were way too dark and almost orangey. I'd only applied a tiny amount of tanner too! Next time, I shall mix it with the standard Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion to dilute it, and I think this should help to solve the problem.

Now this is the moment I found out that Palmer's were telling whopping fibs - because, unless your skin in extreeeeemely dark, I don't think you could ever possibly describe this as a gradual self-tanner! The colour I got was similar to that of a full-strength product.

For me, this is great because it saves me time and effort - but I just wanted you to be aware that it's not going to slowly build up the colour of your skin.

I was also pleased to find that my skin felt nicely soft, smooth and moisturised after my night's sleep with this product.

I applied this self-tanner on Friday night and the wearing-off was different in various areas of my body. My arms, upper legs, stomach and back still looked great on Wednesday. However, my chest and lower legs were looking pale and patchy by Monday.

In summary:
Finally - a cheap, non-stinky fake-tanner!
But watch out for your hands, and remember that this acts more like a full-strength product than a gradual one.
Lasts reasonably well.

enjoys freebies · Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:53 pm Quote

Well I got the other one with the very pretty box £30 from boots.
So I am trying to find the thread on that one. I just told Mel if I am Tango in the mornin I am gonna kick your butt. However I want to post that on the proper thread.

enjoys freebies · Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:49 am Quote

loopylori wrote:

I just told Mel if I am Tango in the mornin I am gonna kick your butt. However I want to post that on the proper thread.

To make it even more officially threatening? Laughing

Sadly, the scary-priced MakeBelieve one is now my current absolute fave. Wish I didn't have such bluddy expensive taste.

enjoys freebies · Tue Jun 05, 2007 2:58 am Quote

I like it. I always seem to like the expensive stuff. I never mind paying for something that actually does what it claims to do. Wink

enjoys freebies · Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:39 am Quote

Yep, me too. Makes a nice change for something to actually do what it says on the tin, eh?

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