The BEST fake tan ever: Xen Tan
I am all about a fake tan at this time of year, it makes any summer outfit look that much better and, let’s be honest, a good tan never made anyone look unattractive. Unless, of course, it’s streaky and hideously orange (which is often the case with self tans).
I got two self-tans from Xen Tan a few weeks back which I was really excited to buy. I first tried this brand when I lived overseas and worked at Space NK. The store started stocking Xen Tan and when Space NK endorse a product you can pretty much be guaranteed it’s the best of the best, and this was certainly the case here.
I got the Dark Intense Self Tan and the Medium Luminous Gold Gel. It’s not often I get a product that I will continue to use for life. These two are some of those, and yes this is what one would deem to be a ‘rave review’. Quite literally!
If I had to choose I would say the Dark Intense was my favourite, but that’s because the colour was more intense. Having said that, I can’t forget about the Luminous Gold Gel because it also has its place for a more day-to-day tanner. I would use the Dark Intense for occasions like a wedding or a special night out, whereas the Medium Gel is great for that touch of super-natural colour that you could apply prior a beach holiday.
Why is it so great?
Well, simply because the colour is just beautiful. It’s a rich, bronze without a hint of orange (witch is what Xen Tan is all about – no orange!). Then it is also super easy and non-messy to apply, it doesn’t smell too bad (no pretty rose scents or anything, but fine for self-tan) and lastly, it doesn’t come off in patches that makes you look like you might have Impetigo (don’t Google that). It lasts a good week and then simply fades away – don’t ask me how but it does, but I’m not complaining.
On a side note: for those ladies like me who avoid applying self-tan to save their crisp white linen, do yourself a favour and buy some black full-length PJ’s. These then become your go-to self-tan PJ’s and prevent any dis-coloured sheets. The pair I use are a beautiful, light linen and work perfectly.
Luminous Gold Gel – R380
Dark lotion Intense – R430
See stockists here
Image source
See…now I HAVE TO google Impetigo! Haha!
Does it have a strong self-tan scent? And does the scent linger? I love using St. Moriz (not available in SA though) because the 'self-tan' scent only lasts for a day or so (it's gone after a shower).
The Luminous Gold Gel sounds lovely! I must give these 2 a try!
Sounds wonderful. I assume that there are lighter options if you are not into the dark intense one? I desperately need a tan, but hate the initial "i'm too pale to be wearing a dress, but it's too hot" summer scenario. Is the luminous gold gel sufficient to start off with? Thanks for the tip. I have never applied self tan before, so hope that I get it right!
I have also used St Moritz, just find it a tad messy. The scent is very mild and for me it was gone after one shower, this is never the case with other self tans!
Yes there are lighter options, have a look at the website that I linked in the post and you can see all their products. They are divine, I just chose the darker versions to suit my skin tone.
Sounds amazing 🙂 What slightly less expensive Self Tans would you recommend?
I like Tropitone – great colour and very cheap but smells very strong. Garnier also have some lovely one's as well as St Tropez