The town where I grew up is 45 minutes away from the beach, so my family would go there often in the summer. This gelee is one of the tanning products my mother used to buy, along with the Coppertone in the brown bottle. I recall many summers getting a deep, dark tan with this (anyone else remember when spf 4 seemed like a high spf?). The thick gel/ oil texture & beachy scent bring me right back to the late 70s and 80s. Though I haven't had a real tan or used less than spf 15 in over 20 years, I will still occasionally buy this for the nostalgia factor & will use it after the shower. It gives my skin a nice sheen & I love the beachy, familiar spicy with a hint of orange (but not coconut) scent. They sell this along with the Mega Tan at certain Walgreens, and you can also get both at drugstore.com. Both are around $10 each, unless on sale. continued >>

There is simply nothing else that compares to BDS.
Unlike so many, I will happily admit to enjoying time by the pool in the summer and getting a nice tan. For me, BDS is part of the whole experience.
The texture is like a gel-oil that becomes softer and ultimately liquifies if you leave the tube in the sunlight. The texture allows it to just glide over the skin and leaves a gorgeous color so even if it's your first day out you aren't ghostly white. The smell is legendary. A sweet oriental that I, like so many, would love to have in an eau de parfum. BDS inhibits burning as well as any other SPF 4 product but allows significantly more tanning.
The only other product I've liked nearly as well is the long-discontinued Soleil Chanel SPF 4 Spray.
Bain de Soleil is as iconic as it gets. You're really missing out if you've never indulged in it!

I've used this product since I was in high school. THE BOMB! Couldn't ind for a few years, but now easily available on line. My only fear is that it will be discontinued...in that case I'll buy a gross!

Love this, it's by far superior to any tanning gel/cream/oil. Gives you a beautiful golden tan color. My mother used this in her youth, I love the smell, reminds me of her. Walgreens has it, you really can't beat this product. It's in a tube, so that maybe be cumbersome if your hands already have product on them. I'd prefer a squeeze bottle. But none the less it's the best!!!!

Ahhhhhhh just the smell means summertime and beautifully tanned skin. Have had to buy online lately, can't find in stores here in ohio.

This is probably the best stuff for sun bathing ever! It's a classic...a definite "Must Buy."

I bought this product four years ago. It seemed to almost be hidden in the shelves. I picked it because it looked so exclusive and I loved the packaging. I did not know I would find my true tanning obsession. I do not tan much because it is very unhealthy for the skin, but when I do lay out on the beach or pool this stuff does the job. First, it has an orange tint which automatically makes your skin look a different tone. The oily texture of this product allows your skin to glisten. The smell is so amazing. It has not clogged my pores, but then again I would not recommend using this product on the face. The tan that results from this product is a glimmery bronze which I have received so many compliments about. I read on here a review about someone mixing it with bronzer and applying it to shoulders for a night out. I am not surprised at how versatile it can be. Walmart is now carrying this product for 8.99 and I am so glad I can purchase it whenever I'd like. I would 100% recommend. I did not give five lippies because although it is amazing, it will stain white bathing suits but will easily wash off at home. Also, although I love the packaging, the tube will sometimes get really hot outside and cause the stuff inside to melt, but these are minor details I can live with.

This is the best scent!!! I wish they made a perfume that smells like it!! My skin is so soft when I use it,,i wish it was easier to find <3 continued >>

I love this product, having a hard time locating it in my local drugstores and foodstores, where do i purchase
It works so well, has an awesome exotic summer-time sent
Also like the mega tan - cant find that one either :-(
Both these products give you the best dark golden tan!

Boy, I hate to be the nay-sayer here, but I didn't really care for this. It was really slimy. I only used it on my legs, which did get more color than they usually do, but sadly the color was red. It seemed to accelerate the burn. Not exactly what I was looking for.

I love Bain de Soleil! When I used to tan, I would put this on my body and I would end up with a great golden color because of the orange color of the product. I also like using Monoi Tiare Rouge tanning oil from Tahiti (that's actually my favorite), mixed with carot juice or Betadine. Sounds a little strange, but they do mix carrot juice with tanning oil in Tahiti for that golden tan. But lately I've really been avoiding tanning, for the health of my skin. Still, it's a great product. Oh, and I almost forgot... I like to mix a little bit of it with a bronze body shimmer for when I go out at night, and put it on my shins, shoulders, etc. I especially love to do that in the summers when I'm tan. I don't know how it would look on pale skin.

i lovvvved this stuff, even though it didn't help me tan like i hoped it would. i have extremely fair skin that usually burns, but i decided to brave this product because of it's delicious scent. i put it on my legs, it has a gel/oil texture which gave them a nice sheen, and although i sat with my legs in the sun and upper body in the shade for almost an hour nothing happened. BUT, i didn't burn, and i now use it as a shimmering lotion on my legs for when i wear skirts in the summer. it kicks the ass of jergens soft shimmer cream + similiar things in terms of sheen and scent.

Best smelling suntan stuff ever!!!!! Rules over coppertone to me.

My HG of sunscreens. Unlike other yucky SPF creams and oils, I LOVE using this product. I actually enjoy applying this. I love the smell, the gel texture, everything about it. I always get a nice dark tan (and never a burn) whenever I've used it.
I also love Bain de Soleil's Tropical Deluxe SPF 4 for for those times when you want your SPF to sink into your skin, like if you're not already at the beach/pool yet and you want to put your SPF on early. It's a light cream texture
This stuff (the orange gellee) is a cross between a cream and and an oil, it sits on top of your skin and gives a nice glistening effect. I've tried other brands but I always come back to these two.

This is the Bain de Soleil's classic product. I began buying this in the early 1980s and love the smell and thick orange formula. Bain de Soleil has come out with a host of new products since its inception, but this is their best in my opinion. You have to be careful however, that you put it on and really make sure it is fully absorbed before puttting on any clothing or bathing suit. Other than that, its long wearing and waterproof ability make this a keeper.

Ahh...love this stuff! This is the only outdoor tanning stuff I really use. It's SPF 4. Gotta have a little sunscreen b/c I do burn somewhat easily! Love the way it goes on and the glowy, shimmery sheen it gives my skin. Only problem is..it stains swimsuits easily. So make sure you are not wearing any kind white or light colored swimsuit! Other than that...I give it 4 lipsticks!

I love the scent of this stuff. I buy this sunscreen every summer and it works so well to keep me from frying.

I always run out and grab a tube of this in the summer. It smells really nice.

I love this! I buy a new tube every summer. It smells wonderful and adds a healthy sheen to my skin. It helps me to get a nice tan without burning.