A 101 GUIDE TO ST. TROPEZ
Love looking bronzed but don’t want to risk any damage to your skin? The answer is simple: fake tan. And if you’re in search of a tanning brand loved by all, then it has to be St. Tropez (pronounced san-tro-pay, in case you were wondering).
It’s the OG tanning brand, having been established way back in 1993. Loved by celebrities, influencers and the everyday gal, St. Tropez is perfect for us all, from tanning experts to total novices. Their products are cruelty-free, 96% vegan (soon to be 100%) and naturally derived, helping all of us tan-lovers do our bit for the environment too.
Want to find out how you can get your own glow with St. Tropez? Cult Concierge expert Grace is here to give you a lowdown of every product you Need (with a capital N) in your self-tanning regime.
WHICH ST. TROPEZ TAN IS BEST?
From light tanning products that dry instantly to darker shades that take longer to develop, there’s a St. Tropez fake tan for everyone.
BEST ST. TROPEZ FOR AN INSTANT TAN
Instant tans are super quick to apply and last until you wash them off, making them the perfect choice for first-time tanners.
St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer
For a quick and easy wash-off tan, bag yourself the St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer. Perfect for guys and gals in a hurry, this cream-to-powder formula dries in minutes, leaving you with a transfer and smudge-proof glow. When the day’s over, simply hop in the shower and wave goodbye to your tan.
6
£15.00
BEST ST. TROPEZ FOR A GRADUAL TAN
Gradual tans tend to take longer to build up but have the benefit of keeping your skin beautifully golden for longer! Here are some of our top picks:
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Body Lotion Light/Medium or Medium/Dark
Want a deep, dark and drop-dead gorgeous tan that lasts? St. Tropez’ Gradual Tan Body Lotion nails the brief! It’s buildable, meaning you’re in total control of how dark you go, and you can even use it in place of your regular {moisturiser} for a daily top up.
1
£18.00
3
£18.00
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Watermelon Lotion
The only thing better than a golden tan is a golden tan that leaves you smelling like the sweetest summer cocktail. We’ll take five, please…
6
£14.50
BEST ST. TROPEZ TAN FOR PALE SKIN
Pale-skinned beauties, this one’s for you! Here are the best St. Tropez tanning products for lighter skin tones:
St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse
Are you a last-minute kinda person? Then the St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse was made for you. Simply apply, leave on for an hour, then rinse and you’re good to go!
30
£33.00
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Body Lotion Light/Medium
Combine your post-shower moisturiser with your daily tanning ritual to achieve a perfect, even tan that lasts for ages. Apply your St. Tropez Gradual Tan Body Lotion in Light/Medium every day until you’ve reached your perfect shade of bronze.
1
£18.00
BEST ST. TROPEZ TAN FOR DARK SKIN
To add extra glow to your dark complexion, here are some of the best St. Tropez tans:
St. Tropez Self Tan Extra Dark Mousse
Transform your skin and turn heads with St.Tropez’s deepest, darkest tan yet. Leave on for four hours for St.Tropez’s iconic deep tan or for up to eight hours for an intense but natural-looking, extra dark tan that lasts for days.
3
£34.00
St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse
We may have recommended this mousse for fair skin too, but St. Tropez’s intelligent Express Bronzing Mousse is also perfect for creating a dramatic and dark tan. Follow the same steps as above, but leave your tan to develop for just that little bit longer! Around three hours should do the trick.
30
£33.00
BEST ST. TROPEZ TAN FOR YOUR FACE
You can use any St. Tropez tan on your face, but we’d recommend their face-specific products for the best results.
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Face Serum
Packed to burst with skin-loving nutrients, the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Face Serum is the perfect two-in-one, working to both tan your face and treat your skin to the pampering it deserves.
15
£22.00
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist
For the most natural finish, and one that requires minimal effort, treat yourself to the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist. Apply whenever you fancy, under or over makeup - just spritz and glow!
75
£22.00
MOUSSE, GEL, LOTION OR MIST?
That perfect golden tan is within arms reach, but which formula should you pick? From lotions and gels to mousses and mists, Cult Concierge expert Grace is here to give you the low-down on each product.
Mousse: best for beginners
If you’re a total tan novice looking for the perfect application, then give mousse a go. Mousses are quick-drying (some even develop within one hour!) and because of their texture, it’s easy to see where you’ve applied the product.
Lotions: best for dry skin
Lotions are great for drier skin types since they often contain hydrating ingredients to nourish the skin. They’re also buildable, meaning you’re in complete charge of the colour you end up with.
Gels: best for tanning experts
Gels feel lovely and lightweight on the skin and can give you beautiful, even results. However, we’d only recommend gels for advanced tanners, as the formula makes it tricky to apply. Gel tanning products are usually clear or have a light sheen, making it harder to see where you’ve applied the product.
Mist: best for those in a hurry
Quick-drying and lightweight, mists are perfect for those who want a quick and even tan. They’re also great for topping up an older tan, and with St. Tropez’s 360° aerosol mist, it’s easy to apply even in those hard-to-reach areas.
HOW TO APPLY ST. TROPEZ
Before applying your fake tan, prep the areas you want to tan with an exfoliator to make sure your skin is nice and smooth. - For an even tan, apply moisturiser to the elbows, knees, ankles and other areas where you get dry skin, as tan can sometimes stick to these areas.
- Once you’re prepped, it’s time to apply your tan! Make sure your skin is clean and dry, and that you have a St. Tropez mitt for an even application.
- Follow the tanning steps for your specific product, making sure you pay attention to the amount of time you should leave your tan on for!
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR ST. TROPEZ TAN TO DEVELOP?
The developing time for your tan depends on which product you choose. Some tans (like the St. Tropez Instant Tan) develop straight away, while others (such as the St. Tropez Self Tan Classic) take four to eight hours to develop, depending on how dark you want to go.
HOW LONG DO ST. TROPEZ TANS LAST?
How long your tan will last again depends on which St. Tropez product you choose. Want a tan that you can wash off the same day? Use the St. Tropez Instant Tan. Looking for something longer lasting? The St. Tropez Self Tan Classic can last for up to ten days.
Wondering how to maintain your St. Tropez tan? Keep your tan sleek and smooth by gently exfoliating in the shower every other day. You may want to use a St. Tropez lotion or mist to keep your tan nicely topped up. Any old or patchy tan can be removed with St. Tropez Tan Remover Mousse.
SHOULD I SHOWER BEFORE USING ST. TROPEZ?
Since you’ll need to exfoliate before using a tanning product, we recommend showering before using your St. Tropez tan.
CAN YOU LEAVE ST. TROPEZ TAN ON OVERNIGHT?
If you’re using a gradual tan that takes over six hours to develop, you can put your tan on before bed to wake up looking like a bronzed goddess. Like all tans, there’s a risk that St. Tropez may stain your sheets, so we’d recommend sleeping in old bedding and wearing some dark, loose pyjamas.
IS ST. TROPEZ TAN SAFE TO USE WHEN PREGNANT?
According to The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA), spray tan and self-tanning products are safe to use during pregnancy. When you’re pregnant, skin can become more sensitive due to a change in hormone levels, so make sure you do a patch test at least 24 hours before using your St. Tropez tan, even if you’ve never had a reaction before.
HOW DO YOU GET ST. TROPEZ TAN OFF YOUR HANDS?
If you look like you’ve dipped your hands in a bag of Wotsits, fear not! Any patchy or unwelcome tan can be removed with St. Tropez Tan Remover Mousse. You can also exfoliate the skin to remove any build-up of product.
CAN YOU GO SWIMMING WITH ST. TROPEZ TAN ON?
If you intend to show off your tan at the pool or on the beach, allow at least eight hours for your tan to fully develop before swimming. Keep in mind that sea water and chlorinated pools may cause your tan to fade more quickly than it otherwise would.
