Being a self confessed fake tan addict, I couldn't help but try every product in the shop which gives my skin a darker tone. I hate being pale!

Fake Bake is one of the best known tanning brands, selling products to salons aswell as ones for you to use at home. I originally tried Fake Bake when I went to my friends salon whilst she was training for her spray tanning certificate (if that is what you call it when your qualified to tan?). She used Fake Bake in the spray form which is produced to be used in salons (and I could swear its better than the one you use at home!). Whilst doing my tan, I was speaking to her and her tutor about how the tan works, which is by working with your skins melanin to give you a natural looking glow as if you'd been on holiday.

If you don't know what melanin is, it is basically the thing which determines your skins colour. When the melanin is changed, it gives you a darker tan - probably not the best description but you can see where I am coming from.

After getting this gorgeous tan at the salon, I loved the result so much I couldn't help but research on the internet to find out where I could buy some either online or in a store. I wasn't surprised when the price for a bottle of the tan was around £25-£30, but luckily my friend worked in the local department store, so when they were on sale at £20 she got me a bottle.

PACKAGING:
The bottle I brought is 'Original Self Tanning Lotion' which is in a 170ml bottle. The bottle is an oval shape with a slight curve, its dark brown and has the flip top lid at the bottom. Fake Bakes signature logo is on the front with all information needed on the back. I quite like how the bottle comes in a box along with some latex gloves. I find these to be a good way to apply tan, but I do prefer a mitt sometimes. The glove is good when you'd like the tan to be applied quite thick and dark.

THE TAN:
The tan itself comes out in a very thick dark brown, which is the colour it stays on your skin just more even. I like that it comes out dark because it means you know exactly where the streaks are and where on your body needs doing. I tend to give myself two layers (because I'm a little obsessed with the stuff).

When it comes to scent - this one is no different from the rest. It smells biscuit-y and luckily this doesn't linger on your skin very long. If the scent stayed on the skin after washing, I probably wouldn't like it because it is off putting.

HOW TO USE:
To apply the tan you need to first exfoliate 12-24 hours before, moisturise and make sure you don't shave within 12 hours of applying the tan - especially your legs! The tan will just sit in the dots where your hair previously was which is never a good look.

Put on your gloves and squeeze a tiny amount onto your hand and smooth it onto your skin in circular motions making sure you don't leave streaks or patches. I find it quite easy to use the gloves because you can smooth the tan easier, with a mitt its quite hard to get into the little areas like between your fingers and toes, around your ankle etc.

Once you've applied the tan to your desired area (I only do my top half or arms/chest in winter because my legs are never out), you need to allow it to dry before dressing. Once its dried, you can dress yourself and wait 12 hours or more before washing your tan. The quicker you wash it, the less time it has to darken. During your bath/shower after the 12 hours, you will notice the water going a little brown and your skin fading a tiny bit. This is down to the excess tan coming off your skin, all the tan which could make you darker has sunk in and done its job!

To keep the tan gorgeous you simply need to exfoliate, tan and moisturize regularly. If you don't it will become patchy and streaky quickly.

Tip: use a hairdryer quickly over your body to dry faster without it going tacky.

VERDICT:
In my opinion, this is one of the best tanning products and I can see why its so highly priced. I suppose you are partly paying for the brand name but I do love this tan. It darkens nicely on the skin and gives a lovely, even tan. I like that the scent of biscuit doesn't stay on your skin, this could be partly down to me moisturizing once I'm out the shower but I'm not sure.

The only thing I will say is don't apply tan before a night out or on a rainy day. Before washing it off the tan will run and you will become a streaky mess. That is about the only downside to the product really. I had an experience on a night out where a drink got accidentally poured down my leg, it wasn't attractive walking around with streaky legs all night - especially when it was in the pub before going to the club! Lucky the toilet attendant had black tights or I'd of been miserable until I got home!

I would say price in the 'disadvantage' category but for such a good tanning product you've got to pay a lot. Nothing good is cheap nowadays.