Clarins • Radiance-Plus Self-Tanning Cream-Gel • Self Tanners

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t0wlie on 12/9/2012 8:51:00 PM more reviews by t0wlie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

Love this product! I had not used many self-tanners before as I am terribly white naturally and didnt want to turn orange with no base tan in the summer - but i do I tan very nicely due to my hispanic heritage. I realized I had been making a few too many trips to the tanning bed so I opted for this stuff when I saw the reviews. I am so glad I did, I have not tried many but this is near-HG for sure.

I apply it in the mornings 4-5 times a week before I hop in the shower or wash my face thoroughly before applying makeup. It does give kind of a heavy/stick moisturized feeling so I always make sure to apply this BEFORE i wash my face or hop in the shower and leave it for as much time as possible before washing my face/showering off and then applying my makeup. It gives me a nice "glowy" look that is not quite a dark tan color but keeps me from looking ghostly white in the winter. I have not been in the sun for a month or more and this has kept me from returning to my ghostly winter white with blochy redness. it just gives me a bit of overall color on my face and neck, but doesnt stand out from the rest of my body. packaging kind of sucks or at least for me the top has become lose/worn out so that it doesn't snap back into place but the pump works perfectly. Just two pumps is plenty to cover a moist face and neck thoroughly. Defintely does not streak.

Also - I like how the color it gives me allows me to use the same color LM tinted moisturizer or foundation that I use in the summer instead of having to buy a new shade for winter. I love it, will definitely rebuy although i am not looking forward to it because of how pricey it is - i got a good deal on ebay the first time around.

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Heisenberg on 4/10/2012 7:35:00 AM more reviews by Heisenberg

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

I tried this self tanner based on the reviews here and I'm so glad I did! This, along with the Clarins Radiance Plus Golden glow body lotion have become part of my routine for evenings out.
The lotion goes on smoothly and dries in a few minutes. It is moisturizing without being greasy and does not irritate my sensitive skin, nor have I experienced any breakouts.
For reference, I am NC20. After one application, this does not make me tan - it gives me a glow, which is exactly what I was looking for. I love that it cuts my pastiness dead without making me look orange or obviously tan. It would take two or more applications to achieve more color, and I have not experimented with that yet.
The color gradually fades over a few days.
This is HG for me - I absolutely love it!!

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Martine74 on 3/13/2012 1:43:00 PM more reviews by Martine74

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Maybe they've changed the formula, maybe my skin has changed, I don't know, but have used it for years and years without any problem. Since two months though, I am breaking out like a teenager when using this tanner. Not good at all.

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Zoeyzoey on 12/15/2011 7:11:00 AM more reviews by Zoeyzoey

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This gave me an orange colour, so no, i don't like it

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StationaryBikeFatty on 2/17/2011 10:44:00 AM more reviews by StationaryBikeFatty

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This worked fast! I put it on and had color within < an hour. I love the light texture, I have normal to dry skin which absorbed this lickety split. It felt light but very hydrating on my skin. I waited a little while then added a touch of my regular moisturizer to make sure I was hydrated and at least partially sunscreened for the day, and my skin felt perfect. The color is not too dark. This is great for everyday usage. If I were going away for a warm-weather weekend I might want more color, so I might use this two or three days in a row. I also love the packaging. Anything with a pump bottle ensures that my fingers won't contaminate the product. Everything should come with a pump, IMO.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Marsen on 8/17/2010 6:30:00 PM more reviews by Marsen

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

EUREKA!!! I have found the most perfect sun tanner ever! I was happily satisfied using Jergens Natural Glow, which fit the bill and did not irritate my temperamental skin. On a whim, I purchased Clarins Radiance Plus on eBay, yet it sat on my vanity for months, for fear of breakouts, sensitivity and other tragedies. But yesterday was a new day and not only Clarins gave me a more natural and beautiful caramel glow, it also is gentler on my skin! I think I will never be without this from now on :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Charnel on 10/14/2009 11:04:00 AM more reviews by Charnel

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

This is the best self tanner I have ever used!! Doesn't streak or get orangey. It goes perfect with my skin tone and colors it dark very fast. Noone can tell I am using it and I adore its fragrance. Others stink real bad. I would totally buy it again .

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Agent_Fang on 9/1/2009 10:13:00 AM more reviews by Agent_Fang

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

It's so natural looking even I, with skin pale enough to be one of the undead, cannot stuff this up!!!

Very easy to apply, and the - lengthy -information leaflet Clarins always includes with their products helps nervous self-tanners to put it on right. If I'm dead dead pale,i.e. in the depths of winter, a bit of moisturiser on first works to make it as light as possible. The colour is great and very natural looking

It has a bit of a self tanner smell, but don't they all? It'll come off when you have a wash that evening and the tan itself will last noticeably for 3-4 days.

My only gripes are that the tube is pretty small and this is pricey. A bigger tube and lower price would make it perfect, but for those times when I really want to look tanned and healthy, this is the only one I buy again and again.

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march_angels on 3/10/2009 9:44:00 AM more reviews by march_angels

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I bought the Radiance-Plus face tanner and while it did tan my face a nice brown color, I couldn't get over the smell! About an hour after applying -it starts to stink. In fact, my 2 young boys would comment about how something smells funny every time they'd come around me. -Kids tell the brutal truth don't they?!?.
In this case I would not rebuy due to the horrible self-tanner smell. I then after used St. Tropez whipped mousse and it actually provided a more natural color without the unpleasant scent! I'm in love!!! ;-)

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cem on 3/2/2009 2:39:00 PM more reviews by cem

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Ok, I don't think I'm already supposed to write e review because I used it just 5 minutes ago; But it feels great on my skin!! It doesn't seem to clog my pores, and feeld amazing. The smell is also pretty good, but I think you have to to keep the bottle in a cool and dark space to prevent it from smelling like most self tanners. The tester in the shop smelled pretty horrible! I'll keep you posted on the results, so far so good (I love that it's non comedogenic!)

UPDATE: less satisfied than a few days ago, I feel the colour doesn't really match my skintone, and leaves me a bit orange. I use it every 2/3 days now, and it seems to be more natural now..

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CynthiaStrange on 2/15/2009 7:54:00 PM more reviews by CynthiaStrange

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

Okay. Here is the straight truth on this product. Let's start with me. When not using a self tanner and only using a foundation that matches my real skin color---I look like death walking. I get comments such as, "Are you anemic?" No, I am just white.

If I use this self tanning treatment a couple times a week, I get compliments on my skin and don't really need a foundation which I love.

I will buy this as long as they make it. It is expensive though. It gives natural coverage and I am a slave to it.

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AngelaW on 10/8/2008 8:21:00 AM more reviews by AngelaW

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I've been buying this for several years now and will continue to buy it for as long as they sell it! Great natural colour - though I am very pale and I certainly need to use it 2 days in a row to see the benefits. But 2 days in a row gives a terrific natural glow that makes me look healthy. People always comment that I'm looking well when I use this - and sometimes comment that I'm looking 'tired' etc when I'm not using it!! I have good glowy skin but without this lotion I look very pasty indeed.

Great packaging, decent price, never breaks me out, pleasant enough smell. Strangely I don't use the matching body lotion - I've tried it but prefer both Johnson's Holiday skin and St Tropez Everyday for Fair to Medium.

Really an excellent product if you're very fair and want a light natural glow.

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*TOP REVIEWER* julijalv on 9/6/2008 4:53:00 AM more reviews by julijalv

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

It is the best self-tanner I have ever used. I use it every day and face just glows, tan looks so natural! Love it!!! Will buy again and again!

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tennis700g on 6/18/2008 12:09:00 AM more reviews by tennis700g

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

I didn't like this very much. I don't have acne but my skin is sensitive and will break out if it gets irritated and this broke my cheeks and chin out pretty bad. I ended up giving it to a friend that wanted to try it(but warned her about what it did). She didn't like it either...Self tanner wise it is just ok, it wore off pretty fast and I had to try to build it up, it didn't give me much color at all which is pitiful because I'm fair complected and most self tanners give me a lot of color. If you want a nice self tanner try fake bake, st.tropez, or the bare bronze body tint at victoria's secret is good too. I wouldn't buy it again it is not very good quality for the price.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Luv_MAC on 6/15/2008 2:55:00 PM more reviews by Luv_MAC

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is expensive stuff. I have found other self tanners that work just as well. If money was no object for me I would purchase this more often.
I am very pale with dry skin and this stuff gave me a very believable tan that is not orange at all. It did take me two layers on two seperate nights to get a decent color. The first day wasn't enough (I'm very irish, very pale).

I used on my face and it didn't break me out and I only needed one application. Any more color and I would have had to buy a darker foundation.

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stacy47 on 5/31/2008 6:34:00 PM more reviews by stacy47

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

My HG self tanner for the face... so natural looking. Great for pale skin. I apply this every other day and it works so well in toning down my redness and generally hiding little imperfections. Other self tanners are usually too orangey or just too harsh, but this is perfect. It doesn't dry out my skin, but it's not greasy either. I can put it on in the morning first thing and it doesn't interfere with my makeup. I love it.

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samcasso on 5/24/2008 6:31:00 PM more reviews by samcasso

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

I have very fair skin that, especially in the winter, is borderline pale-sick. That's where this baby comes in. It gives me such a subtle glow with the added illusion of health. This is the only self-tanning treatment I've ever used, as self-tanners terrify me... at least the horror stories have scared me away for the time being.


That's the reason I bought radiance-plus; I heard that it was near foolproof. I can now vouch for that. I've been using this for about a year on & off (I can get pretty lazy w/ it). Anyway, it has a very smooth application: I apply it under my nighttime moisturizer or I mix the 2 together; both methods are equally effective. I apply it all over my face & neck, & the next morning I definitely notice a difference. It doesn't break me out, there's no irritation to my normal/dry skin & it doesn't make me nervous to use.


I don't want to get too much color out of this, so if I haven't used it for a while I'll use it 2 nights on then 1 night off & then every other night. Like i said, it's the subtlety that appeals to me. My face projects health & not in the "I've been tanning so I'm really being the opposite" kind of way. It's build-able.


The packaging is great--the bottle allows one to see how much product is left. Plus, I've been to the Clarins counter many times & they're very generous with samples (at least for this product). My twin now uses this as per my recommendation. If I'd recommend it for my sister then it's safe to say I'd recommend it to anyone... so worth a try!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* pr0cessa on 4/22/2008 5:17:00 PM more reviews by pr0cessa

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is absolutely incredible! It provides a great natural-looking subtle glow for those of us who are naturally pale. It turned my winter-pasty skin into a nice golden color in about 3 days. It does have a strong floral smell, which has a vague hint of self tanner smell, but I actually like it. This product is very expensive at $50, but I think it's worth the high price tag, in exchange for a totally error-free self tanner. Also, it is moisturizing, but not overly so, perfect for my combo skin! I found the drugstore oil-free self tanners for the face to be too drying. I will recommend and repurchase this over and over.

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twss172 on 4/18/2008 5:06:00 PM more reviews by twss172

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

i'm pale. actually, pasty is probably a better description. i wanted to do something about it that didn't involve baking in the sun & had heard about how great this product is (especially for beginners in the self-tanning world like me). the reviews i'd read in magazines, etc. said it didn't streak & gradually built a healthy bronze.


i went for it last summer & am pleased that i did. i applied it at night before my moisturizer & a day or two later i had a wonderful glow, like the one you get after a warm-weather vacation. no orange streaks or brown palms & best of all, it looked completely natural. using it every other day or every two days assured that it would remain natural. (note: i'm using past tense as my skin has been an irritated mess lately, though not b/c of this product. also, it's not plane-friendly & i'm home from school so i couldn't take it w/ me. i can't wait to continue using it again!)


self-tanners scare me w/ this one exception. i made my sister buy it & it didn't irritate her sensitive skin. i also like that the container allows you to see how much gel is left, so i know when to buy another one before it runs out!

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kaylaann on 10/2/2007 3:21:00 PM more reviews by kaylaann

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This product is so fantastic! I have been frustrated with how my skin on my face is much lighter than the skin on my body and this product has completely changed that! The skin on my face and neck glows and the slight tan lasts a while. I only use a pea sized amount every other day and I have been keeping my tan. I love how it gives my skin tone an overall even appearance. Yes its pricey but if you buy the clarins self tanning kit at sephora you get the full sizes for WAY less. This stuff is $50 on its own but the kit is only $47 so I estimate your only spending 17 on this products IF YOU BUY THE KIT(full sizes ladies) plus you get the self tanning gel (again full size) and the orange cleanser. When I run out I will be repurchasing at sephora and getting the full kit. Why spend $50 to get just this when you can spend $47 and get a cleanser and a tanning gel for the face and body as well? Lovely product, HG.

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