Origins • The Great Pretender • Self Tanners

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Katharine40 on 4/3/2013 11:24:00 AM more reviews by Katharine40

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Probably the best self-tanner I've used. I have VERY fair skin, and most self-tanners require 3 coats before giving me a slight suggestion of a tan; The Great Pretender gives me decent color after one application. Wish it were cheaper. Oh, and be sure to loofah before applying.

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Jadieda on 2/11/2013 8:09:00 PM more reviews by Jadieda

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

This tanner is the BOMB! Not only does it go on super smooth, it smells great! It's important that if you use this for about 3 days straight to take a day off and loofa real good, because it can begin to cake a little. And avoid wearing white. It's still totally worth it.
At the beginning of summer, try to buy a few bottles, it can sell out, especially at Macy's.

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leslielgc on 7/20/2011 1:54:00 PM more reviews by leslielgc

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

Short version: One tone, works best on the lightest of skins. A little goes a long way (do NOT use too much). Make sure you apply a very moisturizing lotion to hands, elbows, knees, etc beforehand. Lasts for minimum a couple days. Best self tanner!

Long version:
This is the most amazing self tanner I've ever used! And believe me, I've used a lot.
As this only comes in one tone, and from what I've seen some people believe it doesn't give them enough colour, my assumption would be that this self tanner is directed towards the palest of us. I'm very pale and love this beyond belief. I find it gives me non-streaky, non-spotty, beautiful colour. Trust me, a LITTLE goes a long way with this! I've used too much before, so that it didn't completely absorb into my skin within ~15 minutes, and it ended up being a little streaky with darker spots.
I get the best colour from this product using the following steps: I first use a very moisurizing hand cream (I use Kiehls Ultimate Strength Hand Salve) on my hands, specifically making sure to rub a lot into my nails, and on other dry spots (elbows, knees, outer ankles). I let it soak in for ~15 minutes before applying the Self Tanner. I only apply a small amount of the ST (you're better off applying less than applying more. Take my word for it) and rub it in everywhere so that it's pretty much all absorbed by the time I'm done applying it. I also make sure I rub my hands together so that I don't end up with white hands and tan arms. I wait about 10-15 minutes and lightly wash my palms (with soap), and a little bit of water on the skin between my thumb and index finger (that always gets a little dark for me if I don't) and knuckles.
This gives me great results that I find last for a few days.

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calamityjane85 on 5/20/2011 9:24:00 AM more reviews by calamityjane85

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

i am very pleased with this tanner! i have used a handful of tanners, so i am in no way a master at this, but i put this one at the top.
(+)
NO STREAKS!! YYAAYYY!!!
smooth even tan all over
gradual build up, very natural
blends easy
no icky smell, the mint is light and not overpowering
the little sparkles are cute

(-)
pours out quickly ( i just sit it on the edge of the counter and put a hand underneath and carefully squeeze)
price, not to bad, but worth it i think!

overall: i think with any tanner you have to exfoliate, so just make sure you get one with lots of scrubbers, even add some sugar to your existing scrub... thats what i did. to get the achieved color it took me 3 applications, but i dont mind because i dont have any streaks, and i would rather apply more times and be careful, than put one coat on, and have heavy streaks like the other ones i tried. now there still is that strange scent in the morning when i wake up- but its not near as evident as the other brands.

i will repurchase! this stuff is great!

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*TOP REVIEWER* princess_eab on 2/25/2011 11:23:00 AM more reviews by princess_eab

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is a very good self tanner, especially for pale girls. It's reliable, streak-free and gives you buildable color (though honestly, one application is good for me). I actually prefer it to Clarins Self Tanning Gel. It smells wonderful, and the tint shows you where to blend. It also dries fairly quickly and is never sticky. I'm actually surprised that Origins makes such a good self tanner, but since I'm an Origins junkie anyway you won't see me complaining!

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JBu1023 on 10/3/2009 11:14:00 PM more reviews by JBu1023

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this self tanner!! I have tried several different kinds and this is the only one that has a pleasant scent and does not look orangey. I love that it has a thinner consistency and bronze color to it. This makes it much easier to rub in and see where you are applying it. It has a nice shimmer to it as well. Although it is pricey, it is the only tanner I will use!!

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JudiWickham on 9/25/2009 11:58:00 AM more reviews by JudiWickham

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is the first self tanner that has not developed a nasty smell on me! Smells minty. I put it on before bed after exfoliating and woke up with lovely bronzed skin the next morning. It has a shimmer to it, which may not be to everyones taste. I love this product because it was easy and quick to apply, moisturizing (not sticky), smells good and was not orange or streaky. Everything I look for in a self tanner!

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shgale on 7/16/2009 9:13:00 AM more reviews by shgale

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Fantastic self tanner- a very natural colour that builds nice and gradually which is great for fair skin like mine. The slight sparkles allow you to see where you have applied it and the smell is minty and not fake-tan offensive. I do agree about the packaging though. The tube is messy and it is difficult to regulate the amount that comes out! Having used loads of other fake tanners though I would never give up this one. The colour and application are perfect.
Edit: I am very sorry to say that I have to change my review completely. On buying this again this year they seem to have drastically changed their ingredients and now instead of a nice minty smell it smells like rusty metal and the colour is no longer foolproof but blotchy and either non-existent or with multiple applications it is orange and patchy. Don't know what has gone wrong but I won't be wasting my money again.

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bettyl0u on 7/6/2009 10:59:00 AM more reviews by bettyl0u

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

I have been using this for years and it never streaks and always gives me a nice bronzed tan. It takes a couple applications (over a week or so) to give me the color I want, but it's always perfect. There are two slight drawbacks, first it has a slight glitter in it and I've had people ask me why I'm wearing glitter. :) Second, it is expensive for a 5 oz bottle at $18.50 when there are many cheaper drugstore alternatives out there. I'm going to experiment a littile with the cheaper alternatives, but I will probably have to settle for something less realistic looking. Overall, this stuff is the best that I have tried, even better than Clarins in my mind!

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Miau on 6/10/2009 7:14:00 PM more reviews by Miau

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I love this self-tanner. It gives great lasting natural results. I also like the little sparkles in it. Origin changed their ingredients this year, and took out parabens, phthalates, propylene, mineral oil etc... I put it on after my shower and scrub, two times a week, and that really keeps it from blotching and fading. I also like the way it smells, kind of minty.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ThisGirl0 on 3/10/2009 11:52:00 PM more reviews by ThisGirl0

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I like this product very much, but it is just too expensive. I read a few good reviews on another site and decided to try it.
I like that it is tinted and smells very minty, but at the end of the day you will still smell like any other self-tanner. It minty smell goes away and is followed by that strange scent. It comes off after a quick shower so it's not a problem. It creates good results like most self-tanners when applied properly. It is best to exfoliate really well, dry skin and apply a thin layer of a regular lotion. Let that dry and than apply the self-tanner evenly. If done correctly you will look fine - no streaks or blotches.

This product is way too expensive in my opinion since it produces the same results as L'Oreal Sublime Glow, and even has those sparkles that make skin glow (which I love, by the way). Just like any other self-tanner, this product contains dihydroxyacetone which chemically turns skin brown. There is nothing extre special about this product that makes it worth the $20, especially for the 5oz tube that lasts maybe 3 or 4 applications (if applied over the entire body). L'Oreal Sublime Glow comes in a 8oz tube and costs about $8. Much more reasonable.

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brittanyannb on 1/30/2009 12:37:00 AM more reviews by brittanyannb

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

I like this product a lot. I am a big fan of the Mystic Tans at my local tanning salon but they can get a bit expensive so I went and picked up this product. I used it last night and woke up today with a nice natural looking tan. It wasn't fake looking or orange. This product also did not streak which I have had problems with in the past. It gives only a lit bit of color which is good and bad, It can give you more of a gradual color instead of a heavy fake looking color. I would reccomend this to anyone who wants a natural looking tan.

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candiceliz1980 on 5/14/2008 11:34:00 PM more reviews by candiceliz1980

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

This is a very good self tanner. I am uber-white, the same color as my one-year-old who has never had a drop of sun! This tanner does not streak and because it is tinted it gives instant color. The color is gradual which is good for me because if I miss a spot I can go over it and have it look believable. The color is not orange or brown it is a peach-tan which is more believable to me then orange for sure! I would recommend this product and I have purchased it twice.

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RV2000 on 4/25/2008 2:03:00 AM more reviews by RV2000

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This is the best self tanner I have ever tried. I have fair skin and like many other's have had a hard time finding a self tanner that doesn't look orangy. Well I finally found it with this product! I put this on at night and the next morning I wake up with the most beautiful natural looking tan. I agree with everyone else regarding the packaging, it does tend to spill everywhere. I actually transfer this product into a basic plastic pump bottle, so no more spillage!

I would highly recommend this product!

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lincra on 3/24/2008 9:45:00 PM more reviews by lincra

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

I am very fair and have used this self tanner for years and it always provides the most natural looking tan. Nothing fake or orangey looking here. I also like how I don't have to be afraid to put too much on because you have to layer it to get the results you want. I suppose this can be a negative, but I always worried with other tanners about using too much, so it's good for me. The peppermint smell is great as well. The only thing I hate is the squeeze bottle. I always seem to get the tanner everywhere! It just spills out so easily and gets on my counters, floor, etc. I wish they would change it to a pump bottle or something.

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*TOP REVIEWER* FeeFee34 on 7/11/2007 10:33:00 PM more reviews by FeeFee34

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

The Good:
-pretty color for a bottle
-smells divine
-sparkles show you where you've already applied it

The Bad:
-you have to wait hours before the tan shows up
-which usually just causes you to make random parts too tan and random parts too pale
-no matter how hard I try, I always end up with yellow ankles and knees
-somehow it WILL end up all over your counter, floor, and the container itself
-I suppose this could also be a pro, but it washes off very easily

Basically, it's a decent self-tanner, but I won't repurchase because I always either use too much or too little, and when I should happen to get the perfect amount (not often), it all just washes down the shower drain after one day.

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eeb01 on 7/2/2007 6:38:00 PM more reviews by eeb01

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

Best self-tanner I have ever used. I am sure I will repurchase when I go through my first tube. I bought this b/c I've spent lots of money on drug store brands of self tanner over the years, and none have ever impressed me. Most I would use one time, and then try to swap or just throw away. None ever looked natural on me. But, the Great Pretender has made me happy! The color is brown on my naturally very white skin, not orange or yellow. It smells great going on, although after a few hours I do note the distict self tanner smell. It's a small price to pay though for the excellent color it delivers. Be careful when applying to not to use too much. My first application I was overly anxious, applied it thick, and it took me a long time to dry. After that, I kept it light and it dried in a more timely fashion. The staying power seems good to me, too. Glad I didn't give up on self tanners and found this one!

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lyss11 on 6/30/2006 2:08:00 PM more reviews by lyss11

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Used to love it. Went thru tubes. It used to last from summer to summer (if I didn't use it in the winter). I went to apply this morning and weird black flakey things landed on my leg. Ick!

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*TOP REVIEWER* cmhwi on 8/6/2005 4:32:00 PM more reviews by cmhwi

Age: Unknown   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I'm on the fence about this one. I love the scent! The color is almost non-existent and fades in a day. It makes my skin look a bit too yellow. I wish they could achieve the level of color that Estee Lauder Go-Bronze has without the EL perfumey scent. The Origins face tanner version they have is awesome.

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carrie107 on 6/9/2005 1:31:00 PM more reviews by carrie107

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I used this last night on my legs for the first time after exfoliating (concentrating especially on my knees and ankles) and using a light moisturizer. This self-tanner is tinted which makes it easy to blend into the skin. It dried quickly so I was able to go to bed not too long after applying. I woke up this morning to tanned, streak-free legs. An excellent tan for this otherwise PPP.

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