Paula's Choice • Almost the Real Thing-Self Tanning Gel • Self Tanners

rated 3.9(77 reviews)

Average Rating.3.9
Would buy this product again.67%
Package Quality3.9
Price2.9
Ingredients

rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* AutumnBliss on 2/10/2003 7:46:00 PM more reviews by AutumnBliss

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

When I tan I exclude my face, so I opt to use a self-tanner. I exfoliate , apply a light
moisturizer, then put a thin layer of this on my face.
This is the most natural looking self-tanners I have ever used. Plus-
no breakouts! >Really a great product, and worth trying out.

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rated 5 of 5 JMo12 on 1/19/2003 11:03:00 AM more reviews by JMo12

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I'm an MMM with oily/sensitive skin. I exfoliate and moisturize before using this product.


This is my holy grail of self-tanners. I have used a number of other brands, but this is the best, hands down. It gives a VERY natural look -- no orange at all. While the smell is lousy, it's just your typical self-tanner smell -- and, I think it actually smells a bit less than others I've used. I was worried about using this on my face, due to my sensitive skin, but I've had no breakouts as a result of using this product. I can't recommend it enough!

Note: Splurge and get yourself the optional re-usable pump for $1.50 when you order this product. The bottle comes with a flip-top cap which isn't the easiest thing to manage with self-tanner on your hands. :)

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Marsen on 12/24/2002 4:40:00 AM more reviews by Marsen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Definitely one of the best self-tanners in the market. This tinted gel spreads nicely and is easily absorbed by the skin. It gives me a gorgeous golden caramel tan that lasts about a week. It fades evenly (provided that you exfoliate and moisturize properly) and naturally. My only gripe is that I can't use it on my face or neck because it makes me break out. Nevertheless, this is an amazing self-tanner for the body.

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rated 3 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* MegE on 11/23/2002 10:01:00 AM more reviews by MegE

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

I loved the natural brown tone this product gave my winter white legs. Very natural and non-orange. There is a smell like all self-tanners have, but it wasn't annoying. The problem I had was that it went on streaky, even after exfoliating and lightly moisturizing first. It also really lasts, which for me wasn't a good thing as my legs looked stripped. I sent mine back for a refund.

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* elat33179 on 11/14/2002 3:31:00 PM more reviews by elat33179

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I find it ironic that in Paula's "Don't go to the Makeup counter without me" book (from about 5 years ago) she wrote that all sunless tanners were the same. Now she has come out with the best sunless tan that I have ever used and I have used plenty. This gel spreads so nicely and the color comes out gorgeous brown on my white skin. One coat is all I need for the perfect tan.

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rated 3 of 5 tsteen on 10/25/2002 2:46:00 PM more reviews by tsteen

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

This is a great self tanner for the body. It provides a natural bronze color with only one application. Unfortunately, this product broke me out on my face and neck, and I do not consider myself someone with sensitive skin. I recommend Au Currant bronze face gel (new sensitive skin formula) for the face.

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rated 1 of 5 jenno on 10/17/2002 1:27:00 AM more reviews by jenno

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This gel caused me to break out in a rash of small (but brown!) bumps on my arms, neck, everywhere I used it. I love PC products - this is the only skin care that I had trouble with, but all of the makeup is only so-so. I use the dry cleanser everyday.

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rated 4 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* BEVERLYS on 7/2/2002 6:25:00 AM more reviews by BEVERLYS

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Lovely lovely self tanner! It gives a very natural tan and is easy even for novices like myself. I had a pretty glow for almost a week and friends asked if I'd been tanning :P
The only drawback is the scent - which is smelly even though it's quite light. Also, the caramel tint isn't dark enough to be seen so you're pretty much applying tanner "blind". But once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad!

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* ziebam on 6/13/2002 4:28:00 PM more reviews by ziebam

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best self tanner ever. A truly great product. It even beats out my previous fave, Clarins! The consistency of this stuff is great, a tinted gel that applies smoothly. I got a golden color with no orange after only one application. Normally it takes at least two! The scent was minimal, barely noticed anthing and it is not sticky. This is really the best product out there. My search has ended cause I am completely content with this product!

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rated 5 of 5 Labello on 5/18/2002 12:05:00 AM more reviews by Labello

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is one of the best self tanners I have ever tried. Gives a beautiful bronzed glow, does not smell bad (most do) and is very cheap for the huge bottle that u get. Will definitely buy again.

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* CheckyDoll on 5/2/2002 2:15:00 PM more reviews by CheckyDoll

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

Absolutely THE BEST!! I apply this a few times a week & my skin stays tanned & healthy looking w/ NO breakouts. Not orange or fake looking at all, just perfect golden color. You must try this!! :)

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rated 5 of 5 curvy_veronica on 3/1/2002 5:41:00 AM more reviews by curvy_veronica

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Other   Eyes: Green    

This stuff is the best, and I have tried many!!!

Very red/brown on me, lasts longer than most sunless tanners too

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Crusty on 12/6/2001 10:25:00 AM more reviews by Crusty

Age: Unknown   Skin: Oily   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Phenom! Great color, and it does not break me out on my face! ...ok, so it doesn't smell too hot, but a fragrance additive would probably irritate skin of worse - cause breakouts, so I'll live! Loyal, loyal, loyal - this is the best!

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rated 5 of 5 Sue2 on 10/17/2001 3:27:00 AM more reviews by Sue2

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

One of the best self-tanners I've tried. And I've tried Alot! I love the natural color it gives my face, not orangey or streaky. Plus less greasy than alot I've tried. I love this one!

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* CarolynF on 8/22/2001 2:54:00 PM more reviews by CarolynF

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

All time best facial tanner I have tried. My total favorite! Color is awesome and does not break me out. I have used this on my arms and chest too and love it. Highly recommend!!

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rated 4 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* DianaS on 8/17/2001 12:32:00 PM more reviews by DianaS

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I used this self-tanner once while on my beach vacation, and twice during the week that's passed since I got home. It delivers a nice golden-brown color without any orange, and looks realistic on my normally pale skin. It dries reasonably quickly and didn't streak at all on me. Only a couple complaints - it's stinky, and I know that all self-tanners are, but it still drives me nuts. Also, the caramel tint that is supposed to ease application hardly shows up on even my winter-white skin, so it's not really helpful at all, especially when maintaining a self-tan.

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rated 5 of 5 Mandy on 6/9/2001 9:16:00 PM more reviews by Mandy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

So far this is the best self tanner that i have tried. It went on evenly and gave my naturally pale skin a believable tan shade. I would definately recommend this self tanner.

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