Product Reviews Rated 3.94 out of 5 stars
139 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review St Tropez Watermelon vs Jergens Natural Glow Alot of people are probably wondering if it's worth spending the extra $ on this when you could get Jergens Natural Glow for half the price. I've used both and here's the differences I've found:
1. St Tropez Watermelon has a fruity smell at first while Jergen's has a clean smell but they both eventually break down to that DHA fake tan smell
2. Jergens is more forgiving in terms of streaking but has less color pay off. You definitely get more pigment in one use of St Tropez vs Jergens. It would probably take 3 days of Jergens to 1 day of St. Tropez. Due to the stronger pigments in St. Tropez, you need to apply very carefully to avoid streaks and quickly remove from palms and fingernails.
3. Both provide good moisturization but some varieties of Jergens have extra ingredients to help with cellulite etc.
Bottom line, if I need a quick tan overnight I'll use the St. Tropez. If I'm not planning to carefully apply due to time constraints or just want to maintain a tan I already have, I'll reach for the Jergens and have less concerns with streaking. Don't let the scent have an impact on your choice, all self tanners eventually develop that hallmark smell.
Most Helpful Critical Review Not for beginners... Let me start by saying that I am very fair. All winter long I rock my porcelain like it's nobody's business but in the summer it feels good to have a little color. I'm not super familiar with sunless tanners so I was hoping a "gradual" tanner would be forgiving enough for me. I was drawn in by the brand (have several friends that swear by this line!), the delicious watermelon scent, the packaging, and the words on the bottle, "Gradual Tan".
When I first put this on, the watermelon scent was wonderful & summer-y, unfortunately that smell was quickly replaced by your typical self tanning scent (I was prepared for this...) Then it occurred to me that the white lotion rubbed in to my skin so well that I couldn't really tell if I'd missed any spots. I had hoped that the tan would be gradual enough for me to hit any missed spots on the next day before anyone could notice. Later that day, I could already see a difference in color. Unfortunately, that meant that I could also see all of the spots that I missed and streaks caused by my fingers. It was way less gradual than I thought. The tan was beautiful in color but gathered by my elbows & knees, was streaky (again, user error), and the scent lingered.
For a beginner, I would recommend a gradual tanner that is tinted so you don't end up making the same mistakes as me (they all end up smelling the same anyway!)
Will be returning today. Still in search of the perfect sunless tanning lotion.
Reviewed by 139 customers Fav self tanner 4
Kate from Maine
I love this tanner, only thing I would note is to apply evenly I was unaware of how well it would darken my skin but that was my fault came out great the second time!
St Tropez Watermelon vs Jergens Natural Glow 4
JoJo from NC
Alot of people are probably wondering if it's worth spending the extra $ on this when you could get Jergens Natural Glow for half the price. I've used both and here's the differences I've found:
1. St Tropez Watermelon has a fruity smell at first while Jergen's has a clean smell but they both eventually break down to that DHA fake tan smell
2. Jergens is more forgiving in terms of streaking but has less color pay off. You definitely get more pigment in one use of St Tropez vs Jergens. It would probably take 3 days of Jergens to 1 day of St. Tropez. Due to the stronger pigments in St. Tropez, you need to apply very carefully to avoid streaks and quickly remove from palms and fingernails.
3. Both provide good moisturization but some varieties of Jergens have extra ingredients to help with cellulite etc.
Bottom line, if I need a quick tan overnight I'll use the St. Tropez. If I'm not planning to carefully apply due to time constraints or just want to maintain a tan I already have, I'll reach for the Jergens and have less concerns with streaking. Don't let the scent have an impact on your choice, all self tanners eventually develop that hallmark smell.
love this stuff! 4
jess from NH
I've used many self tanners over the years and this is by far the best product I've found. Its gradual so you can customize how dark you want to get. And no streaks! Would buy again
Beautiful healthy glowing tan 5
Lulu from Michigan
This gradual tanner is not so gradual, you will see results in the first night of using this and it is not super dark but a medium glow after the first use. This does NOT smell like DHA at all, it smells like watermelon all through the 8 hours of developing. Good price considering you do not need to use a lot of product
Best St. Tropez Product! 5
Leesie_M from Maryland
I've tried most of the St. Tropez products and I do prefer their tanning lotions. Mouse or gels typically don't work well for me. I had been using the gradual tanning lotion and really liked how it worked. What I love about this, is even though it says gradual tan you get a better color/tan after the first use. I don't find that it leaves me orange and it's never looked patchy!
LOVE THIS STUFF! 5
Snobbybarbie357 from Texas
I won't not have this in my house! it goes on just like a lotion. it is not tinted so you need to use it smart. it smells amazing initially then goes away. I've never found a self tanning item that didn't have even the slightest smell but this has a .5% tiny tiny smell... compared to every other one I've tried. I can put it on in morning, continue my day then boom tan when I get home! no its not the most instant but its amazing all the way around! Doesnt transfer throughout the day
Does NOT smell like watermelon 1
feather from bend, or
Don't be fooled, stinks just like tanning lotion.
I would buy this product for the rest of my life!!! 5
Laney from Ohio
I'm a redhead and i don't tan so i have used several different tanners and this one is by far my favorite!!! It's streak free and doesn't come out orange on me.
Horrible scent 3
Neesh from Chicago
This smells good and after like 30 min it starts to smell horrible. It makes your clothes and sheets smell too. It's too bad because it does work well
Best sunless tan lotion ever 5
B from Seattle, Wa
Smells delicious. Easy and even application. I just slap it on and I never have any problems with streaking or blotchiness. Beautiful, natural light brown tan color. My skin is sooo soft.
Very strong tan and very moisturizing / use bw mousse 5
Hazel from Pittsburgh
This is a very strong and very moisturizing gradual tan. I love it! Put on bare skin and it will certainly turn you tan. But my fave way to use is in between mousse tans. It deeply moisturizes which you need since tan dries your skin, smells nice and keeps your tan going strong. DO NOT use bare hands!!! No matter how much you scrub them, they will be darkened. I use rubber gloves out of shower then place on tops of hands etc. I also put a deep non tan lotion first on ankles, knees and elbows. I alternate this w coconut oil or a nice light lotion, or the not as strong in the tan or moisture department bondi Sands gradual milk. Do not use this daily! Too strong. My tan is on point.
Good but be careful with transfer staining 4
Loz from TX
I always shower at night so Ive been using it before bed. It's easy to apply (I did have a bit of patchiness around my ankles at first but that was user error. I try to wait as long as possible to get into bed to give it time to dry. But after using it for a few weeks I do notice a slight stained area on my light blue sheets.
Good Product - not foolproof 4
MiniMoni from CO
This was my first self tanning product in a really long time. I recently started using Retinoids & so I prefer not to get a natural tan & I wear sunscreen daily. I got this bc it was reccommended to me by an Ulta employee. She had mentioned that since it was my first time that a lotion might be more forgiving to try. So I got it. I did all of the things that you are supposed to before a self tan: exfoliate, moisturize dry areas, etc. The initial smell is nice, it smells like Jolly Rancher Watermelon :). Then of course as it sinks into the skin, you do get the usual self tanner smell. That smell never bothered me though (I weirdly kind of like it). Overall, application was easy enough; I did use a mitt as I did not want to deal with orange hands. It got patchy only on certain areas on my feet (user error as I am still not good at applying it there). Gives a really nice looking tan. I would buy again but I would also try other products from St. Tropez & see if I like anything else.
Good, will buy again 4
Kdawg from Florida
This is a perfectly good tanning lotion, but don't be fooled by the 'watermelon infusion' on the package. This smells just like all tanning lotion smells, nothing like watermelon at all.
I really love this stuff, BUT has caused breakouts :( 4
Chelsea S. from Chicago, IL
I loved this product so so much. It smells so great and is super moisturizing. The longer you left it on, the more the tan built as well. Definitely had more golden/yellow undertones compared to other self-tanners with red/green that produces a neutral brown tan. If you prefer something more neutral, I'm not sure this is for you. Unfortunately, I have to stop using it. I'm quite positive that using this has caused me to breakout on my back. I've been using this product for about 9 months now, and I've linked the breakouts to the start of using this product. If you are more prone to acne/clogged pores/etc. I would say try a mousse instead, that's what I'll be switching back to. It makes me really sad though because I love this stuff so much!!
Smells great 4
Sweet t from Va
I like it okay. Definitely more streaky than the bronze colored bottle that kinda guides you. Blotchy on my wrists so I'll have to clean it up. I would definitely buy again! Next time I'll just pay closer attention to where the lotion is going.
Disappointed 3
Jade from Georgia
I was excited to try as this came recommended to me. At first, the smell was wonderful! About 30 minutes in it for the typical sunless tan smell (cat pee), but it was WORSE than any I've ever smelled. I had to wash it off immediately. I couldn't imagine wearing it as a moisturizer all day. Maybe it has more color in it than some brands? Not sure. I'll stick to my Jergen's Natura Glow.
Smells delicious 5
Tw from Maryland
I use this in between the St.Tropez original mouse. It dries quickly and smells incredible.
dries skin out 2
carolyn from Michigan
I really liked how well this worked at first and enjoyed the watermelon scent. but after about a week of daily use I noticed my skin was dry and itchy. then it started to get patchy due to the dryness. I ended up throwing it out. would not recommend and wouldn't buy again
Great color, good smell! 4
Alanna from Columbus, oh
Definitely not a gradual tan, I was significantly darker after applying it 2 days in a row which I liked. I hate having to wait a week of every day use with gradual products. The color was good on me and I was really pale before putting it on. I did get a little orange on my wrists, elbows, knees and ankles but all at home tanning products do that to me. Absolutely wash your hands after using or use a mitt, I just did a quick rinse the first time and my hands and nails were very orange. It smells like self tanner mixed with watermelon which I, and my boyfriend, liked but I like the smell of self tanner normally. I would definitely recommend as long as you use it correctly.
Works, but STINKS. Would use original tanning lotion instead 3
St. Tropez lover from Meridian, ID
I hands down think St. Tropez has the best self tanning out there. I've used many other self tanning products at comparable prices and think St. Tropez gives the best sub kisses natural look. I've been a fan of all their products except this one. The best way for me to use this product is to use after the shower in between using the tanning mousse. It helps me to maintain the tan from the mousse. I have learned to use this product at night, and will apply it making sure I got everything evenly, then I put a little normal lotion over this. The normal lotion over this helps me to prevent streaking, and helps aid in the terrible smell this starts to get. It smells good at first but I'd say it only smells good the first 30 mins. You're better off getting their normal product of the gradual tan, it smells better in my opinion and has the same payoff.
Smells like watermelon candy! Love it! 5
Tiffany from Stroudsburg, PA
I actually love how it smells and I love how quickly it gave me a soft tan. Before I applied it for the first time and first layer, I used a body scrub to ensure I get a even application throughout my body and get rid of dead skin that can cause patchiness. I'm a light skin Hispanic and my skin burns before it tans. This is a nice and safe alternative to look tan in the summer season without burning and damaging my skin. I also appreciate this brand for being vegan and cruelty free.
It's a 10! 5
Liz from Northern Virginia
I love this product! I upgraded from a competitor product that you use while still in the shower, and I'll never go back. For reference, I am an NW20/NC20 for color comparison, and this product works wonders and smells so delicious.
Thank goodness I didn't have anywhere to be 1
LH from New Jersey
I have enjoyed St. Tropez products in the past, I think they are a good brand. This product, however, is the worst tanning product I have ever used. It is not a gradual tan at all, I woke up the morning after applying significantly darker than before I put it on. I didn't think i would need a mitt because it is a lotion and says that it is good for every day use and that it would be gradual, but it looked horribly streaky on my legs where I rubbed it in and was concentrated at my knees and ankles. I wouldn't recommend this product although the smell is more pleasant than some and if you want a gradual tan, look for something different.
Natural Tan 5
kas19 from TX
Lightweight natural tan lotion. I usually use this after shaving, and it leaves my skin smooth and moisturized without the fake tan smell or greasy feeling. The scent is faintly fruity, which is great too. I recommend it, especially for balancing out an uneven tan or just part of a daily routine!
