The Battle of The In Shower Tanning Products

Along with cleaning my brushes, there is one beauty chore that I really can’t stand; tanning. As someone with a pretty pasty complexion and a distinct lack of real rays I’m always looking for fuss-free ways to boost my faux glow and get skin ready to face the cold light of day as the weather improves in the UK.

Last year there was a bit of a fake tanning breakthrough in the industry and in my beauty cabinet – the St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion. It seemed that finally someone, somewhere had listened to my moans and groans about the hassle around fake tanning and answered them with a fix-it-all easy, peasy product that would transform my tanning routine. That was then, and this is now. Despite my glowing review of the original in shower tanning product (which you can read HERE) I have to say I haven’t been reaching for the St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion as much as I thought I would have.

Sure, you cannot fault the innovative approach to one of beauty’s worst tasks, but there was one mighty flaw in St.Tropez’s plan: the wait. The idea behind the St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion is that after you have slathered yourself in the in shower tanning wonder, you have to hang around in the shower, but not under the water for three minutes. And I know on paper that doesn’t sound like that would be all that much of a hardship – and if you are mocking my brattiness here – you try standing in your shower, wet and cold for three minutes and see how much you like it.

So when I found the Rimmel Sunshimmer In-Shower Self Tan in store the other day I just had to give it a try. The Sunshimmer In-Shower Self Tan has one very important feature; no wait time. Rimmel suggest using your normal shower gel to clean before massaging the product all over the body, before gently rising the skin and hey presto! A tan. Much like the St.Tropez formula, the Rimmel Sunshimmer In-Shower Self Tan will slowly build a tan over time depending on how many times you use it.

The Rimmel Sunshimmer In-Shower Self Tan works slightly differently to the St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion, as it actually coats the skin in a formula that will allow the tan to sink in and develop long after you have stepped out of the shower, however the St.Tropez does all it’s sinking in in the shower whilst you hop about shivering.

Now if like me, you’re thinking the Rimmel Sunshimmer In-Shower Self Tan sounds like the idea product, then there are a couple of downsides; I found that because this product has actually got to stay on your skin after you’ve left the shower it coats the skin a slightly waxy film, which in the warmer weather can be uncomfortable. So I find that using this product at night is best, so I don’t notice the residue on my skin whilst I sleep. The other issue is that sometimes this film can rub off on clothes or bedsheets which can lead to a patchy tan. As will all tans, I find it best to always wear loose clothing after using it and try not to disturb the tan too much. The Sunshimmer In-Shower Self Tan is very moisturising however, which I think is an area the St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion was lacking in.

Overal I find the Rimmel Sunshimmer In-Shower Self Tan easier to use but prefer the outcome of the St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion with it’s gorgeous scent, even tan and no residue. Have you tired either of these products? Or if not, which one do you think you’d like best?

Sam

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