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Self tanning is, no doubt, an extremely daunting process. There’s a very fine line between achieving the perfect glow and turning yourself bright orange. Not my preferred look!
On many an occasion I’ve washed off my tanner only to realise that I’ve severely overestimated the amount of product I would need. With mousses or lotions it’s really hard to tell what the end result will be. You kind of slather it on and hope for the best!
For years I steered clear of fake tan because I was always under the impression that it would look far too obvious or artificial. I’d used the Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Foam a handful of times and while I liked the scent and ease of application, I couldn’t get over the slight green hue it left on my skin.
So I set off on a mission to find something a little more gradual and natural. That’s when I was introduced to Isle of Paradise!
These self-tanning drops have been a godsend and now take pride of place in my beauty bag. Here’s why they’re so great!
Plus Points:
Dual Usage – Face and Body
Buying two separate tanning products for your body and face makes a lot of sense. If you suffer with acne, discolouration or dryness on your face, for example, you might prefer to use something that caters to these specific skincare concerns.
However, I feel that these self-tanning drops sit equally well on the face AND body. I’m completely happy using them for both.
While traditional foams and mousses tend to cling to and highlight skin issues, I didn’t have this problem with these self-tanning drops. Admittedly, it’s a little hard to tell when you first rub it on. But once the colour has developed, it looked pretty seamless.
It was really easy to apply this product and I felt that the finish was super natural and even. I didn’t notice any patchiness on my face or body at all!
Natural Ingredients
These self-tanning drops are packed with so many nourishing ingredients I don’t even know where to begin!
The key components are chia seed oil, coconut oil and avocado oil, which are amazing for keeping your skin soft and hydrated. You can find some aloe vera and glycolic acid in there too.
On top of this, all Isle of Paradise products are free from sulphates, parabens and mineral oils. Perfect for those who are into clean beauty.
Honestly, it really feels like you’re doing something good for your skin when using these drops. I always worry that self tanners are going to cause me to break out, but I haven’t experienced any irritation as of yet.
Shade Range
The IOP self-tanning drops come in three shades (as do the mousses and waters). Peach products give you the lightest tan, the green range offers a medium golden tan, and purple is for a dark tan.
Since, on the website, the green drops are described as ‘universally flattering’ I felt this was my safest bet. Plus, I figured I could always reduce the amount I used if it didn’t suit my skin tone.
At the moment, I use about one or two drops which seems to work for me.
Sustainability Commitment
If you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ll know that I can’t say no to an eco-conscious brand.
Isle of Paradise is completely transparent about their manufacturing practices and the amount of non-recyclable waste they produce. By offering refills for their tanning waters they’ve managed to reduce their plastic production by 81%.
But it doesn’t just stop there.
They’ve pledged to make their packaging 100% recyclable in future. And they even have short videos on their website to show you how to properly dispose of your empties.
It doesn’t hurt that their products are completely cruelty-free and vegan either!
How To Apply
To start with, I recommend prepping your skin like you would with any other self-tanning product. I like to use a scrub or exfoliating mitt in the shower so that I’m giving myself a smooth base to work with.
Next, pump/squeeze out some of your moisturiser and mix in a couple of the self-tanning drops. I wouldn’t go in too heavy at first. Try it out with one or two drops and if you feel like the difference isn’t noticeable enough, you can add more next time. This is the safest way to avoid any fake tan disasters!
After that, apply it to your skin as normal and give it 4-6 hours to develop. I usually put it on before I go to bed and let it work its magic overnight. However, you could easily get away with using it during the day. It’s not extremely noticeable on the skin so I wouldn’t feel self-conscious going out with this on.
TOP TIP: Make sure to wash your hands after applying. Tanned palms will be a dead giveaway that your golden glow comes from a bottle! I also recommend using the applicator mitt or blending brush to ensure that your tan is even and streak-free.
Final Thoughts
I really don’t have any complaints about these Isle of Paradise self-tanning drops! I would say that they perhaps wear off a little faster than other more ‘full coverage’ fake tan products, but I actually don’t mind that. In fact, I think this is what keeps it looking natural.
When your tan does start fading, you don’t tend to get any of the splotchiness that you normally would because the product isn’t clinging onto your skin any longer than it needs to.
I also feel like it’s way easier to incorporate these self-tanning drops into your everyday routine. It doesn’t have to be a whole separate process, you can apply your tan at the same time that you apply your moisturiser. Total timesaver!
Have you tried out the Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops yet? What do you think?
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