Almost every fake tan available lasts up to a week, and can go horribly wrong if the rule of sufficient exfoliation and moisturising dry skin is not adhered to. The Eco Tan suggested moisturising and exfoliation, and as with other brands, said it would last for week.
So, first up was the Smooth and Cleanse exfoliator. I followed the directions and applied the exfoliating gel to wet skin, in the shower. It was orange in colour, and the aroma was clean and almost lemony. The product was easy to apply, and had micro-dermabrasion crystals that smoothed my rough skin. Afterwards, my skin was incredibly soft and had a clean, fresh scent. It was nice to find an exfoliator that is gentle enough to use regularly, yet effective enough to use before tanning. The gel also moisturises skin, but without leaving residue. This product goes hand-in-hand with fake tan, as it prepares skin for tanning and left my skin feeling fresh and exfoliated without being too harsh on the body.
I applied the Hydration Plus moisturiser to my knees, elbows and ankles (as disasters with fake tanners in the past have proved these areas can soak up more fake tan than any other area of the body, meaning dry skin in these areas cling to the tan and result in a fake, tea-stained result) The moisturiser was easily absorbed and the clean smell was pleasant. My skin felt soft but not heavy afterwards, like some moisturisers make the skin feel.
I then applied the Instant Tanning Silk once my skin was totally dry. The creamy product was tinted, almost like foundation, so was easy to apply. I have used tinted fake tanning products before, and find them too watery on application, meaning my skin ends up looking patchy. However, this product was different. The foundation-like appearance of the cream meant it was easy to see where it was being applied and covered everywhere with a nice, smooth texture. But it went further than this – not only did it cover everywhere, but it provided instant, natural-looking colour. But it got EVEN better! The product was absorbed within 10 minutes, meaning I could get dressed without worrying about transferring the product onto my clothing. The product stayed true to its name, with its silky texture and was perfect for applying for a quick, long-lasting tanning solution. This product will definitely be my new tanning product of choice!
I continued to use small amounts of the Hydration Plus product everyday to keep my skin moisturised and to extend the life of my tan. A week later, one all this tan had come off through yet more exfoliation and general wear and tear I tried the next fake tan product from Eco Tan – the Excel Tinted Spray. I opted for the light to medium colour – Mediterranean – and after moisturising and exfoliating once again, I sprayed the product all over my body. This product was also tinted, but I found it a bit more difficult to see exactly where it was going. The directions say you can smooth the product over skin if desired, which I did. I was sure to wash my hands afterwards, and my skin looked nicely bronzed by the morning.
The final product was the Deep Contour Gel, an instant body cosmetic for highlighting areas on the body. I used this for areas I missed on my body (namely behind my knees on the backs of my legs), and on my cheeks for a more dramatic evening look. It gave an instant glowing look (but without my own pet hate - shimmering body colours that leave me looking like Katie Price on a night out). The directions say this product can be used to accentuate certain areas of the body – the waistline, or around your chin. I used this product to highlight a straight line down my leg (I;ve heard it makes them appear longer!)
My hands seemed to keep the colours of the product when I was rubbing the them in, but this was easily fixed with a small amount of the Smooth & Cleanse product rubbed in with warm water BEFORE drying. The pleasant thing about waiting for the tan to be developed is exactly that: you don’t really have to wait because all of the products dry really quickly.
The Eco Tan range is great for fake tan virgins or devotees like myself. I can honestly say the Instant Tanning Silk will become my new regular self tanner, and I was really impressed with the range.
The Tanning silk costs £20, Smooth & Cleanse £16, Hydaration Plus £16, Excel Tinted Spray £18.50 and the Deep Contour Gel costs £10. All are available from: www.ecotan.net |
