Bare Escentuals • Faux Tan Body Moisturizer • Lotions/ Creams

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Varlot on 4/26/2012 6:24:00 AM more reviews by Varlot

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

I decided to go for this stuff after seeing it demonstrated on QVC. I use fake tan moisturisers these days because I get a rash from most real fake tans lotions.

I chose this one as I had been using Garnier Natural Summerbody previously but really didn't like the smell.

Having used this I actually prefer summerbody and will go back to it, despite the smell, until I find something better. The problem with this moisturiser is it's far too thick, it doesn't blend in as well as summerbody and consequently you end up using a lot more. This would not be so bad but a bottle costs the better part of £15 and because I use it all over (It doesn't make sense to me to just have tanned legs and then change to another moisturiser to do the rest of my body) it has lasted around 4 full body applications and I only have a little left (and I'm only small!). That's not really great if you are using it everyday as suggested. I've also found it goes patchy in places, this has happened every time I have used it and I suspect it's because it's too thick to easily blend into my skin, I mean I exfoliate and shower before each time I use it so my skin is clean smooth and quite dried out when I apply this and I find it "catches" on my skin and won't spread properly.
The smell of this isn't too bad, it's supposed to smell like coconut but is very obviously synthetic, but it doesn't smell for too long.
The colour does develop into a light natural ish looking tan though I have had patches of orangey skin, I find that summerbody looks more natural on me, for reference I am very pale and a fairly light in bare minerals make up. I didn't find this transferred which is a plus, I used to apply this before bed and my sheets are still white. The bottle is very good as well because it's squeezy and the cap is at the bottom, so not too much product wasteage from that point of view, although you have to use so much that doesn't really matter!
As for moisturising effect, it doesn't really make a whole lot of difference, my skin doesn't feel smoother and definitely still feels slightly dry but this didn't cause an allergic reaction or anything on me like a lot of things do.
All in all it's an ok moisturiser, it does tan like it says, but I find it a huge waste of money as a bottle doesn't last long and to be honest in all aspects other than smell I find garnier summerbody much better and it's a lot cheaper as well at around £5 a bottle (and summerbody goes on easier, so lasts longer and has more in the bottle too, definite win!) it's a shame as I really wanted to love this but it's just nothing special and too expensive for what it is, I'd rather spend that money on a product from fake bake or garnier or someone who's specialised in these products for years. I definitely will not be buying this again.

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foryoursmile on 1/8/2012 9:32:00 PM more reviews by foryoursmile

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I got this moisturizer earlier in the fall to test out on what may be good for the upcoming summer as I don't spend a lot of time in the sun. I did not want a full on self-tanner so I thought a body moisturizer might be the way to go. The product was white and of medium consistency smelling of a beachy coconut scent. I wasn't too fond of the scent, felt very artificial to me, but I got accustomed to it over time and didn't mind. I always applied this after a shower and using a body scrub. This was very easy to blend and never made me splotchy. This gave my skin a nice warm glow that wasn't too unnatural. =] I really loved it for that. It gave a nice sheen to arms and legs and was moisturizing enough that I never had to use any other body lotions really. What I didn't like, however, was that despite applying this hours before bed and putting on pj's, the bottom parts of my sheets where my legs were became stained orangey/brown. I did like what this product did for me, but am unsure whether I'd be willing to purchase again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* funnygirl131 on 6/11/2011 2:32:00 PM more reviews by funnygirl131

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

SO this stuff doesn't smell bad ...a great plus and what lil scent you do get fades after i'd say half an hour unlike the jergens that smelled like syrup and never faded nor did it tan my skin after using it .Also BE FTM is very moisturizing and my skin actually looked better and super silky after applying. Okay so like another reviewer said you do have to wait a bit for it to sink in and dry ,true ,but i'll just put a thinner layer on next time. I did notice that it did stain the edge of my yellow tank top so i'd suggest that you don't wear anything you love with this or basically any self tanner. Its not cheap i got it for $18.00 for 5.5 oz at Macy's but if it does work well I don't mind paying extra .
I just put this on today so I will update about any changes in my color and ratings. ;-)

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*TOP REVIEWER* missymarissa on 6/24/2010 6:47:00 PM more reviews by missymarissa

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

If you want a very natural light gradual self-tanner for fair skin, this is it. This is the most natural fake tanning lotion I've ever found and it deosn't stink! It deosn't smell super great but you can't ask that of any ST. The scent is sweet almond and it's a very thick cream that takes a while to dry is why I took one lippie-off..it's a little on the greasy side but just be naked for like 30 minutes..do your toenails or something and no problemo!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Nancygia on 6/2/2010 3:21:00 PM more reviews by Nancygia

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Maybe mine is past its shelf life (around one year old) but this stuff reeks worse than regular self tanner. I'm also not sure whether I will even get subtle color from it since 4 hours after application my skin is still pure white.

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aimeeb212 on 5/6/2010 4:26:00 PM more reviews by aimeeb212

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

Absolutely wonderful! Finally found a sunless tanning lotion that doesn't smell awful. I've been using Loreal Sublime Glow gradual lotion for the past few years, but I couldn't stand the smell or the sparkles any longer. The Jergens gradual tanner really did nothing at all except stink. This stuff is a nice rich lotion that leaves a nice hint of natural looking color &it has a scent, but it doesn't linger on for the rest of the day and no sparkles. I love it. For ref., I have pretty fair neutral toned skin &I don't go outdoors w/out a sunscreen, so I have no base color. I apply a layer of Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion or B&BW's lotion before applying a layer of this &I dont get as splotchy. I will continue to repurchase again &again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Juliet7781 on 2/10/2010 3:49:00 PM more reviews by Juliet7781

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

I've been a sun worshiper for years. I recently decided to start using a self-tanner to save money and to save my skin. I love the color it gives me. I use it not only on my body but on my face and neck as well. It does not turn me orange and the smell is not too bad. The only problem I have (which would be with ANY tanning moisturizer) is that I have to make sure and apply it all over so that I do not have any discolored spots. I will definately repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* BrownEyes01 on 2/8/2010 1:08:00 AM more reviews by BrownEyes01

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I liked this as I was using it but it's not that special. Jergens can do the same thing for much cheaper.

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*TOP REVIEWER* 3buzyboyz on 7/4/2009 9:48:00 AM more reviews by 3buzyboyz

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

This is the self-tanner I have been looking for! The faux-tan moisterizer leaves the most beautiful and natural looking tan behind - not orange like many drug store products. It is a rich cream, which means (for me) it's great on my legs, okay on my arms, but I would not consider using it on my chest, neck or face. I have fair skin and after 2-3 applications I was able to see a beautiful color developing. I will definitely repurchase this product.

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EvilQueen_ on 5/16/2009 4:16:00 PM more reviews by EvilQueen_

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Absolutely in love with this product! This lotion is a initially colorless, gradual self-tanning moisturizer. The texture of this product is so creamy and it makes my skin feel crazy hydrated. You won't see color at first, but over time it will give the skin a healthy, tan glow. It is also great in between applications of the Faux Tan Self Tanner, as it boosts the color and makes your tan last much longer. Even though the product is a gradual self-tanner, be careful around the elbows, knees, ankles, etc. and make sure to wash your hands after application.

My FAVORITE aspect of this moisturizer is the smell! As the previous reviewer states, you can smell hints of vanilla, almond, and coconut. It is not overpowering and it is the perfect light scent for any time of the year.

Would buy again and again and again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* gigiberry on 4/27/2009 9:26:00 AM more reviews by gigiberry

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I am in love with this product! This is a review for the Bare Escentuals Faux Tan gradual self-tanner/moisturizer, not the very popular Faux Tan self-tanner. I am NC15 and therefore very pale but like to have a healthy tan in the summer. I try to avoid tanning so I am always on the hunt for a natural looking glow. I have tried many d/s self-tanners and gradual tanner/moisturizers in the past but they always started to look orange after a few applications and became patchy as they wore off.


This is a luxurious thick cream that smells heavenly to me-I can detect vanilla, almond, and coconut in it. It absorbs quickly and is moisturizing enough for my normal skin. It has not broken me out but I very rarely break out on my body. It does tend to look a little darker on drier spots like knees and elbows, but moisturizing before applying this would definitely eliminate that problem. I apply once every night and that way when I wake up there isn't a noticeable self-tanner smell (unless you shove your nose in your arm and sniff that is!) I noticed a faint golden glow after 2 days and now have a lovely tan after about a week of use.


This would be great to use between applications of your normal self-tanner or for people who don't necessarily want to be dark but just have a healthy glow. Mind you, I am very fair so I don't know how well this would work on darker skin tones. At the moment, you can only buy this online from Sephora and it's out of stock!

UPDATE 5/6: Unfortunately this gave me a rash with small zit-like bumps on my arms and legs. This would've been perfect otherwise. I recommend doing a patch test on the underside of your arm before applying all over.

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