flea: (Default)
flea ([personal profile] flea) wrote2009-05-11 03:40 pm

Neutrogena build-a-tan lotion

So I bought a smallish bottle of this, for about $9. I've used it three times now: did a patch test for reaction (none) and have done my legs right after shaving, about 10 days apart.

It has all the problematic aspects of self-tanners that I remembered from my one previous experience with them, about 10 years ago: a little smelly (not as bad as it used to be), a little orange-ish (not horrible), prone to blotchiness and staining ankles and knees extra-dark and weird edge issues. It also tends to stain the hair follices, so very close up I look a little spotted in areas.

That said, it's not terrible. (This is why I used it the third time.) One application is enough to take the edge off my blinding whiteness (which is perhaps more noticeable now that I live in the Land of Tanning-Bed-Using Sorority Girls). Two applications on successive days would probably make me as tan as I've ever been in my life. It comes up much darker on just-shaved (=exfoliated) calves than on washed but with babyfine hairs thighs.

I wish they'd make this product in, say, a lotion that went on purple and dried clear, then let the tan come up (as it does) over 4-8 hours. That way you could see where you were applying it and strive for more even coverage. Like those purple glue sticks, you know?

[identity profile] orthoepy.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been using the new Jergens foamy stuff. Less smelly, and it dries a LOT faster than the Neutrogena or the L'oreal.

[identity profile] mearagrrl.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
A little googling finds me good reviews on this one which might fit some of your criteria?