Piz Buin Auto Bronzant Spray (Mid) £11.99
The PizBuin Auto Bronzant has a very easy-to-use sprayer, so you can start on your feet and spray and rub in all the way up your legs. There is pressure to move quickly while making sure you're spreading it evenly across your body (allowing time for frequent hand-washing breaks to avoid orange fingers). The instructions boast that you only have to wait 5 minutes for it to soak in. That is true, but it doesn't warn you that half an hour later you'll smell like a sour flannel and feel slightly sticky. However, hours later I did look bronzed and more beautiful - it left me with a light golden tan - with no streaks or orange patches.
Star rating: 4/5
iVillage Verdict: Good value for money, easy to apply and gives good colour.
St Tropez tan £TBC
The white packaging is about all that is underwhelming about this product. It's not cheap and so I was worried about how much a summer glow was going to cost. I was initially perplexed by the suggested routine of exfoliation with the St Tropez exfoliator, followed by the moisturiser and the colour, but all doubts vanished after the first application. I simply mixed just a couple of 'squeezes' of the brown colour into the moisturiser and started to apply. I was pleasantly surprised by how far it went when mixed. Any worries I had about the deep brown colour disappeared and, as it has a slight tint, I immediately saw a noticeable difference. I was also pleased that there was no 'before and after' effect, but rather a gradual colour development which lasted. It gives a lovely natural glow (the sort that people comment on) without the hint of an orange tinge, and no streaks.
Star rating: 5/5
iVillage Verdict: Expensive, but well worth it.
