I was sent a tube of this to try after I couldn’t fit in a proper salon tan job on my last London visit. I’ve bored you all senseless MANY times moaning about my uber paleness. I know that pale is kinda ‘in’, but that’s porcelain pale… smooth creamy ivory skin. Which, I don’t have.
I have blue pale. Blue pale with red blotches. Combine that with bingo wings and you have some sexy upper arms right there.
Having said that, I’m scared of anything that darkens my skin. Bronzer, fake tan, eating chocolate biscuits without a plate… soooo I’ve kinda put off using this. Every time I went to crack it open, I’d remember some important thing I had to do in the next few days and screwed the lid back on terrified of appearing in public looking like a satsuma.
Well, I couldn’t put it off any longer. ‘Cos I have nothing to do for about a week. Enough time for any hideosity to fade if something went wrong.
Xen Tan is widely regarded as one of the best faux tanners on the market (don’t you prefer the word ‘faux’ to ‘fake’?), The manufacturer’s say:
Transform has been developed especially for today’s growing gradual tan market, giving the same delicious daily dose of moisture you’ve come to expect from Xen-Tan but with an extra boost of tanning ingredient to deliver a silky smooth olive glow. With a wonderful fresh vanilla scent, its advanced formula means fewer applications are needed. Apply just like an everyday moisturiser for sun-kissed skin that’s streak-free, sumptuously soft and never ever orange.
Can’t go wrong then can I?….
I did it. I grabbed the bull by the horns, or the um bottle by the lid and just. did. it. I’d bought a tanning mitt in preparation and used that to apply.
The cream goes on smoothly and does feel quite moisturising. The scent is heavenly! True vanilla with no biscuits in sight!
I finished in less than 10 minutes and washed my hands like I was supposed to. Unfortunately, I then forgot to apply he stuff to the back of my hands after washing them (what a n00b). It’s ok though, it just means you guys get to see how natural and un-orange the colour is on me.
I went to bed slightly sticky, but still smelling full on like a tasty vanilla pod. I woke up, bronzed, gorgeous healthy looking and stinking of a 1 year old hob nob. I jumped in the shower and emerged all clean-smelling again!
I love the tan. It’s a beautiful golden olive tone with no hint of orange. I keep catching sight of myself in the mirror (oh ok, *looking* at myself) and it seems very strange not to see a big pasty face looking back at me. I really look about a 100% healthier.
I need to get this application malarky down. For a first attempt, I’m happy. I exfoliated and moisturised the day before tanning and that seemed to work well to avoid dirty looking knees and elbows (Thanks to Saskia for the tanning tips!).
I think I’ve shamed myself enough this week with my dodgy hair… but… here, have a pic of a bad tan line.
I dunno what’s with the perfect v… but anyway, the photo is more to demonstrate the lovely shade of tan I am rather than my inability to remember simple bloody instructions. And incase you were wondering, I’ve worn foundation on my hand today to minimize my mark of stupidity.
See, S.M.U.G
I was nervous putting it on my face, really nervous! I waited till the mitt had a small even covering of cream and I don’t think I used very much at all. Infact, for the most part I think I over applied.. considering how little product I applied to my face and how even it’s come out, I probably need to use about 1/2 of the product that I initially applied to achieve a good result.
I’m so happy with Xen-Tan and I’ve shocked myself by how good a job I’ve made of it (forgetting the hands for a moment) there are no streaks, blobs or any other tell tale signs of tanning fakery. I may well become a bit of a tan addict, although I’m intrinsically LAZY, and self-tanning takes dedication. Regardless, I’ll be buying a bottle of this for the summer!
Xen-Tan Transform LUXE is £23.95 for 236ml.
Xen-Tan is available from Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser stores or visit www.xen-tan.co.uk
I’m very impressed. I was sceptical, and generally hate tans real or fake but it really looks pretty.
fantastc result, what you would want from a tan in a bottle, just nice, glowy, like you spent 1 hour or 2 at the terrace of a sunny café in summer and caught the rays a bit.
It looks lovely – really nice and natural. I’ve used Xen Tan before and have been really impressed…mostly by the smell…yum.
I’d really recommend Fake Bake too – as it goes on tinted the application is really easy and the colour is so natural, you only go as dark as you would naturally…perfect!
The tan looks beautiful and natural!! How long does it last before reapplication?
Yay another xen tan lover!!
Why are you so pretty?! *smacks you* I just adore the FOTD, and the tan looks amazingly natural!
Wow, that looks great! So is it a gradual tanner or a proper fake tan? Proper fake tan?
@FrankieBaby – Thank you lovely, I wouldn’t want it darker than this… it’s the perfect healthy looking glow rather than full on tan.
@liloo – That’s EXACTLY it, so pleased!
@Jen – The Fake Bake sounds great, they’ve just released an anti-aging facial one that looks good too!
@Justine – It’s a gradual tanner, so you could use it daily if you wanted. I’ve had it on for 4 days so far and it’s fading slowly but evenly. I’ll probably reapply a thin layer in about 2 days time. If you’re darker skinned or want a stronger effect, you’d probably have to reapply sooner. x
@Tali – Yay! High Five! LOL
@Rae – LOL, it’s like the pot calling the kettle black, but in a lovely kinda way. I realise that only made sense in my head. Sorry. But thank you xx
@Redtiger21 – It’s a gradual one, I think I’m supposed to do it daily, but I think I’d be too dark if I did…. I reckon every 5 days I’m gonna apply. Shall I update in a couple of weeks to let you know how it’s faring? It’s faded a little (after 4 days) but evenly (thankfully!)
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