Beauty Test Drive: St Tropez In Shower Tanning Lotion

It’s well into the New Year and my legs are still pasty white, so I’m an ideal candidate to try the St Tropez In Shower Tanning Lotion. I’ve been waiting for it to arrive in New Zealand since first first reading about it last year. The idea is that after cleansing you turn off the shower, put the patent-pending stuff on, wait three minutes and then quickly rinse it off before patting yourself dry and watching colour develop in the hours ahead. I’ve used St Tropez’s gradual tanners successfully before and liked the sound of this one, which allows for immediate dressing and is also said to leave skin moisturised. It spreads on easily and the slick smooth feel it leaves on skin is similar to other brands’ in-shower moisturisers, so far so good. But after three days of faithfully following the directions my legs barely changed colour. Maybe if I had persevered for another day or two... but why would you when you know you can get better results from St Tropez’s out-of-shower formulas.

The verdict: I like a gradual approach to tanning, but this is too subtle for me to want to spend even three minutes a day doing.

— St Tropez In Shower Tanning Lotion Gradual Tan, $44.95. From selected pharmacies and salons. Ph 0800 604 604