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Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

What it is:A self-tanning gel to bring out healthy color in the skin.What it is formulated to do:This lightweight and non-oily gel promotes a natural, golden tan for face and body without sun exposure. It's instantly absorbed, so there's no need to wait before dressing, with results in just two hours. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is ideal for those who wish to maintain a year-round tanned appearance.
Average Rating:
4.102 out of 5
4.1
 out of 
5
Open Ratings Snapshot
747 reviews
5 stars
393
4 stars
186
3 stars
65
2 stars
57
1 star
46
Questions & Answers:
52 Questions | 176 Answers
Sort by reviews for Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel
Review 1 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
awebs
Location:Oceanside, CA
Skin Type:Combination
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Great for fair skinned people!
-05.17.13
Quick Take: gradual
I LOVE this tanner. I've been using it for years. I have very fair skin and I don't naturally tan at all. Most self tanners looks streaky and weird on me because I'm so fair. This stuff looks amazing and natural though. I usually use a few applications to build up my tan over a few days. It's very moisturizing and I've never had it rub off on my clothing or sheets. I need to buy some more for this summer.
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
Review 2 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
sunnydaze2day
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
I have tried them all, this is the best !
-05.13.13
Giving up the tanning bed after many years. My skin can't take anymore abuse. I have noticed it has lost its sheen and stays pretty dry so I have to moisturize constantly. After reading reviews here that stated it did not have that horrible after oder and it did not stain close I gave it a try and love it! It does not smell bad or transfer to close. It's a clear gel!! Gives a rich golden Brown color in a couple of hours after putting it on and has actually improved my skin condition, no more blotchy spots from the tanning bed and no more dryness. My skin looks younger and I have my shine back without having to drown myself in lotion!! Buy it, u will love it!
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
Review 3 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
ellis47
Location:New York, NY
Skin Type:Dry
Age:45-54
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Pretty Good but
-05.04.13
Quick Take: gradual
Product is clear so using it can lead to over or under application. Also it takes time to dry. I've used it for two years and everything's great unless you put a L'Occitane oil into your bath. Then your tan goes down the drain. Dislike the scent.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 4 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
bpitts
Location:Little Rock, AR
Skin Type:Combination
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Amazing!
-04.15.13
Quick Take: gradual, long lasting
This stuff is awesome..I have been using it for years and love it. It does kinda of have an odor to it that my husband doesn't really care for but I put it on at night and then shower in the morning. I always have this stuff on hand!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 5 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
mcmuppet
Location:Los Angeles, CA
Skin Type:Combination
Age:35-44
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Clarins smells great, looks great
-04.14.13
Quick Take: shimmery, long lasting
found this a year ago - worth the price. smells great and a little can go a long way. For optimal look for me, I pair this with Lancome flash bronzer tanning gel. 3/4 Clarins, 1/4 Lancome. Great color, no orange. no smell~
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 6 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
RLA0920
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Gives a great color!
-04.07.13
I've used this tanner for several years and won't try any others. This is easy to apply, gives a great color and the scent is okay. I lightly apply regular lotion to my hands, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles prior to applying the tanner so it doesn't settle in those areas. I apply about 20 minutes prior to going to bed and usually do this a few days in a row.
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
Review 7 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
Nance25
Location:Montreal
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Not for the medium skin tone!
-02.23.13
I've been dying to try this because people say its the best but its really good if your skin is light. Mine is medium and there's no difference at all. The only reason I gave this 2 stars is because it does even out your skin tone and there's no blotching.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 8 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
boston445
Skin Type:Normal
Age:18-24
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Good Stuff!!!
-02.08.13
Quick Take: awesome not a bad price either
First time trying. The smell was not as bad as some described it to be, it is def bearable. With the natural plant extract it leaves your skin SO soft! and of course you get the glow you want.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 9 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
ealiswan
Location:Holmen, WI
Skin Type:Dry
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
-01.21.13
Quick Take: long lasting
I always go back to this self tanner. Use a small amount on my face and neck every few days. Gives my olive skin a very nice healthy glow.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 10 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
RunBeauty12
Location:Chicago, IL
Skin Type:Normal
Age:18-24
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Obsessed
-01.15.13
Quick Take: long lasting, perfect tan color, flawless
I have been searching for the perfect self tanner out there. This just might be it. The color is absolutely flawless, it makes my skin look like I have been sunbathing when I haven't. It doesn't look orange and looks so real.I was stunned. I put it on before bed and was impressed with how quick this product dries and then I woke up with a beautiful tan. This is now my go to tanner. Might have to check out the other Clarins tanning products as well. So in love.
+7points
7out of 7found this review helpful.
Review 11 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
Quidnet76
Location:New York NY
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Loved
-01.12.13
Quick Take: clarins
Great product. Great quality. Love
0points
1out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 12 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
TLEV
Skin Type:Normal
Age:18-24
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Good, lasts about 3-4 days
-01.08.13
Quick Take: gradual, long lasting
I am light-medium skin toned and this product took about 12-16 hours to fully develop on my skin. It changed my skin tone to be about two shades darker, and does not look orange on me. I showered and applied a body lotion everyday (but did not scrub hard with soap) and the tan lasted 3-4 days. I was also warned to not use regular bar soap because it makes the tanner fade faster. This gel is clear so it is almost impossible to tell where you put it on your body. I have not tried this on my face (I've tried the other Clarins Face / Decolette lotion on my face).
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 13 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
Jodilr
Location:Winnipeg, MB
Skin Type:Dry
Age:25-34
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Very even, natural looking tan
-12.14.12
I have been using this product for years, primarily on my face, it gives me a very even natural looking tan.
I have dry skin and always exfoilate well and apply a light layer of moisterizer prior to applying the product. I like a darker look so I follow with a second application usually an hour or so after.
I subtracted a star merely due to the fact that it doesn't as long as other products I have used in the past. I find I have to reapply every two days.
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 14 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
lynn1313
Location:Columbus, OH
Skin Type:Combination
Age:18-24
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
It's OK
-12.01.12
Quick Take: color within 6 hours, sticky, spotty
I was really excited to buy this and try it out because it was so highly talked about in reviews and recommended by people at Sephora. I will say I am very impressed with how quick you see color compared to other self tanners. This self tanner smells like permanent marker as you put it on. Not terrible, but not the best either. It goes on smoothly but I find, like all self tanners, it does not dry as quick as the bottle says. I feel sticky for a good 35-50 minutes after putting on and yes I use sparingly. I put it on before going to bed and then when I wake up I can definitely see the color--which is a nice bronze color, no orange. The only drawback is that since I'm fair, I have to reapply about every other day to keep areas from spotting. This was pretty disappointing since the cost is so high and the bottle is so small. Since buying I've found a different tanner that works better but I will still use this one on my face since I can get a nice color in about 6 hours and it is formulated to work for the face.
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
Review 15 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
foxflyer
Skin Type:Normal
Age:over 54
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
-09.16.12
this has been my go-to tanner for years. Love it!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 16 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
ali327
Location:Chicago, IL
Age:25-34
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Very Natural
-09.05.12
I am very fair skinned and this self tanner gives the perfect amount of color for me. This provides enough color so I don't look like a ghost any more but no one will mistake you for a Jersey Shore cast member either. That being said, I could see how someone with medium skin tone might not get any color from this because it is subtle. However on my very fair skin it appears very natural, like a sun kissed glow. Also, after applying this on several different occasions I have yet to get any streaking or blotching, very easy application. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the scent. It doesn't smell any worse than any other sunless tanner though. The scent in the beginning isn't overpowering but I find the longer I leave it on the more it smells like sunless tanner and the less is smells like the initial scent. Overall I would buy this again and I would recommend it to fair/very fair skinned people.
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
Review 17 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
nellieanddaisy
Location:Ottawa, Ontario
Skin Type:Combination
Age:45-54
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Best self tanner on the market
-09.01.12
I've tried other self tanners and I have never been happy with the results. This product gives my face a natural looking tan - I've tried Clinique self tan and it doesn't compare - well worth the price.
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
Review 18 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
DB412
Age:25-34
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Good product if you can deal with the smell
-08.17.12
Quick Take: gradual, stinky
I have very fair skin, and this product seemed to give the right amount of color without looking orange or streaky. Unfortunately, it smells just about like most other self-tanners I've tried (gross), and the scent lingers.
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 19 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
glendoria
Location:Cross Plains, WI
Skin Type:Combination
Age:35-44
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
IT'S JUST OK
-08.14.12
Quick Take: no difference
I've bought 2 bottles...yes 2 and don't really notice a difference at all. It don't cover tan lines AT ALL...however no streeks or yellowing,no staining,and I've used it at night so the smell don't hang out all day. It can be smelly PE...U...
~G
-2points
2out of 6found this review helpful.
Review 20 for Self Tanning Instant Gel
razok
Location:il
Skin Type:Combination
Age:18-24
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Smelly and orange
-08.13.12
Quick Take: gradual
Unpleasant smell. I tried using it every other day and could only do it twice and then quit, because it made my clothes and bed smell very bad. I couldn't stand it any longer. The color is more of an orange tinge than bronze. Not worth the price...
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
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