cheap and cheerful (Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan Makeup)

Member Name: feex1982x

Product:	Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan Makeup
Date:	06/06/09 (87 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: does the trick in a hurry

Disadvantages: can be a bit tricky to apply if you arn't used to applying tans

This product was one that I bought and almost expected it to fail, but what was I to do I was on an unexpected night out and I was pretty skint, so it would have to do I thought. I didn't have enough time to let any other tanning product develop, the instant make up would have to do. I did however have the thought to buy gloves to do this with, which trust me was lucky I did. It cost me around £4.50 from Boots which I thought was pretty reasonable and they do several shades (pale to fair, normal and normal to dark) I personally have slightly (real) tanned skin so I tend to go for the darkest but if your quite pale with this product you definatly definatly want to go as lighter shade as possible as it does come out quite dark. The product comes in a squeezy tube which is much easier for use and with little wastage. Hurrah!
I found the product itself quite watery and when you apply the product you do have to work it in quite well to the skin. I did find however that a little went a long way which was definatly a plus. The colour of the liquid is quite frightening, it looks literally like tar, which almost made me rethink my plans but I tested on a small patch of skin that wasn't on show and was relieved to find that it does actually blend in very well. As I said before I luckily had thought to use gloves after a few previous mishaps with other tans and I can testify with this tan, it's crucial or it's a total giveaway. I did apply this tan on another occasion and didn't have any gloves at that time due to being in such a rush, so what happened? I stayed in that night, it stains the hands awfully, I scrubbed and scrubbed at them, I used nail varnish remover and contemplated the bleach I was that desperate. I didn't use the bleach and came to my senses and decided staying in was a safer option but nothing removes the stains after you have just applied it, NOTHING. So just be warned about that, it is a 24hr wash off make up, but apparently not on the hands. When using gloves though I did find that if you wear ones that are big on you it will streak the tan and it's a nightmare to rub in evenly so your best to find snug fitting latex gloves. Unless of course you're allergic to latex, then erm......don't.
So how long does it last, does it stain? Well it does give a lovely colour if used SPARINGLY and I could not get that across enough, it's to give a hint of colour with a little shimmer, not to be used as full on fake tan. It can go a bit orangey when there is too much on so I suggest start by using just a little, you can always build up to the shade you want. Unfortunately don't expect to put this on with a white vest top in brilliant sunshine, you will sweat and it will come off on your clothes, in fact it did rub off on my clothes whether I sweated or not, but I was afraid that it might so I always wear dark clothing when I have this on. Either way it does wash out so no problems there, the problem is water. This tan does not like water one bit! Obviously it does say 'wash off' on the tube but I did think it may take a little bit of effort to shift. Thats unfortunately not the case, one splash and you got yourself a bright white patch where your lovely even tan once was, washing your hands after using the loo in a bar becomes tricky business or you could end up looking like you got a bad case of vitiligo.
In fact reading back what I have written , it probably doesn't look a good review, but the truth is I do think this is a great buy as long as you don't expect too much from it, at the end of the day it cost less than £5, your not gonna get a quality tanning product for that in reality. I pop it on here and there if I think I'm looking a bit peaky and as long as the sun is shining or I have an umbrella to hand I think it works very well and I actually really like the colour it gives me and a few other people have commented too and followed suit and bought it themselves.

Summary: a good buy but be patient with it