Product Reviews Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
348 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review LOVE this!!! Detailed Review ahead :) Such a great self-tanner!! Personally prefer it over St. Tropez. I am half German and half Mexican but got dealt the fair skinned card rather than the tanned one.
The first thing I noticed was the Color Gaurd. It's a natural brownish tan color, unlike St. Tropez dark mousse, so should I need to go out before it's time to shower it off, I wouldn't hesitate.
The next thing I noticed was the smell, which was "tropical" like it mentions on the box. To my surprise, the DHA wasn't overpowering after drying like other self-tanners I've used which leads to my next point.
It dries quick but is not unworkable so long as you keep the flow moving. My favorite part about the drying process: I don't feel sticky or the least bit tacky!
Caution: it will transfer onto sheets during the developing period! I would recommend developing and washing before sleeping if time permits.
Also be sure to moisterize the standard dry areas so it doesn't deepen on those spots and be careful not to get wet until after the developing time.
This leads me to my 4 star rating rather than 5. When it's shower time, you watch the CG go down the drain leaving you with a nice, natural tan, but one that is a decent bit lighter than you would expect given how deep the CG made your color look.
The final tan still looks wonderful though despite that "gripe" and I have not had any issues with streaks or unevenness. The tan lasts about a week depending on shower/exercising habits and fades nicely with proper moisturizing. The only time I've faded blotchy was when I was not keeping my skin well moisturized.
I know this was long but hope it helps in your decision making :)
Most Helpful Critical Review I want to like it I really want to like this and may try the original version. I believe the color may be too dark and red-based for my skin tone. I end up orange. Application was super easy and fast. I could not use the mitt provided. It pilled so badly. I have since washed it and it's fine, just the initial lint means it needs to be washed prior to use. I used the St. Tropez mitt and it worked fine. To me, this had almost no smell. It was great! It also dried. I mean, dry, not sticky or tacky. That's reason enough for me to love it right there. No smell and no tacky feeling. Almost sold. The color does transfer while it develops. I have old white tanks that I use for tanning and there were definite dark marks. I only left this on for 4 hours and still ended up orange. I was a very even orange. Effortlessly so. This was the least messy tan I have ever done in all of my years and years and years of trying this stuff. Blending was minimal and I was able to do most of it with the mitt. Usually, I need a brush and wipes and all sorts of accessories to make self tans appear natural. That being said, it does fade unevenly, spotty like a cheetah across my arms and chest. I'm so torn! It has so many good things going for it.
Reviewed by 348 customers Yes! 5
Allison from Houston, TX
Dries super quick!
It used to be the best 2
Mrsg83 from Kentucky
This used to be the best tanner on the market, in my opinion. It always gave me a nice dark tan without drying. I don't know what they changed, but I'm so disappointed in this product. I can put it on now and wake up to zero color. I'm very pale. The Cullens look darker than me. The results I used to get were amazing. Now, it's just another self tanner claiming to be dark that barely adds color to the skin. I've been self tanning for 20 years, and consider myself a pro at this point. Now that they've clearly changed this formula, I have to go back to The drawing board. I wouldn't recommend this. Does it dry fast for me? Yes. Does it stink? No. Does it tan like it did before? Absolutely not. I can't believe that Fake Bake has dropped the ball after being the best of tanning brands.
The best! 5
Kayla from PA
My absolute favorite at home self tanner! I used to get an airbrush tan at my salon but this is just as good.
Sticky 1
Isabel from Philadelphia, PA
So sticky! The color looks natural but it takes FOREVER to dry, and they recommend wearing it for 6 hours to develop a deep tan. I like the Jergens Instant Sun Mousse much better
It's changed 1
B from MN
I used to LOVE Fake Bake but something in the formula has definitely changed. The old formula gave a much darker color and lasted longer. Plus it matched perfectly with my foundation. The most recent bottle I purchased is way lighter and fades within 2 days. I'm so disappointed! Time to look for another self tanner.
Good for evening tan lines 5
Cah from Alabama
This is probably one of the best tanners in terms of having to deal with keeping it on for a few hours. It dries quickly and isn't sticky like a lot of tanners are. I try not to sleep with tanners on, but I honestly had no issue sleeping with this on. I didn't feel gross and my sheets are completely fine. If you're already kind of tan, this won't create a drastic change. It's good for using to even up tan lines though. Color is good, but on someone with a lighter complexion, it might appear more orange. Didn't have any issues concerning streaks. My ankles/elbows/knees turned out good, even without adding lotion before applying. I had switched to b.tan for a few years now and honestly, I'll probably switch back to fake bake.
whatever they changed, it ain't workin 2
mmm275829w9 from USA
easy to apply, smell is fine, dries pretty quickly. however. I am SO disappointed with this product overall! I LOVED fakebake and would rave about how flawless of a tan it is - until whatever changes they've made. it is so beyond streaky, left me with an orange glow as it was fading, and it faded FAST. I gave it 2 stars for the first comments, but I do not recommend it whatsoever. I have never left a review until this. I don't want other girls to feel so embarrassed as I did while waiting for this product to completely rinse from my skin.
New formula sucks. 1
Madisen1997899 from Spokane, wa
New formula is terrible. Old product was good.
WHY DID THEY CHANGE THEIR FORMULA?!?!?!?!?!?!?! 1
Bride from RI
Why did they change their formula?! Why why why?! This used to be such an amazing product! I used to get such a beautiful olive 10.
I just bought the new bottle as I'm out of my old one and I have my wedding in two weeks! I look orange as heck! Why do companies do this?! Why do they mess with something when it was perfect before?!
Yaaas This is what I'm talking about!! 5
Theodicy from Albany, NY
Nice dark color but not crazy dark. Dries quick and isn't as tacky as the foam. Yeah, it smells a bit but they all do. I do this in the tub because it goes everywhere! If it's green, it's old so return it.
Highly Recommended! 5
Heather from Chicago, IL
First time using it and it went on so easily! It dried really quickly too so by the time I was finished I only waited a few minutes before putting clothes on. No strong smell when applying but you can smell it a little more after sleeping in it. My only issue is I did one coat and it came out pretty light. Next time I think I will go over my body twice to make sure I get a more deeper color.
Gift 5
Connie from Athens Al
I purchased this for my mama for Mother's Day and she loves it
What Happened!?!?! 1
SadTan from Jonesboro, AR
This use to be my favorite!! I recommended it to everyone who commented on my tan. This new formula is the worst! Don't waste your money.
Love it! 5
TJohnson from Benton, Kentucky
I love this product. It is great to use for a night out when you just want to add a little color.
0/10 would rather have cancer 1
Natalie from Texas
The application is messy, color guide is trash, starts peeling and separating after a few days, drying, clings to knees and elbows, very hard to remove. Just don't.
SAD :( 1
Taybaeee from Philadelphia
This was my FAVORITE self tanner. It's super lightweight, not sticky, and smells nice. Why did they change the formula man.....I'm used to this stuff making me DARK. I just showered it off from the night before and it all came right off. I'm just as pale as I was last night LOL now with some complimentary patches of orange. Never understand why companies mess with a perfectly good formula! Bring me my OG baby back SOS
What happened! This stuff use to be great. 1
Kirsten from Ohio
I'm not sure what has happened in the last few months. But this was my go to till now. I've tried this new bottle 3 times now, and the tan isn't sticking at all. First it leaves one of the orangish and darkish hues I've ever seen with a self tanner. I wouldn't be able to go out with it. I'm just truly disappointed I'm so tired of finding product I love and then it changes. I really hope the company takes the feedback and addresses the changes.
Used to be the best and now it wears off in 48hrs 2
MeghanMiddleton from San Francisco, CA
This used to be the BEST self-tanner on the market. It had a reddish undertone that made it look like you've been in the sun and would last 4-5 days.... Not anymore. The new formula is AWFUL. I applied 2 coats, and 36 hours later I took photos in swimsuits with my friends and I'm easily the most pale person there. None of them were tan or had self-tanned. I put in all this work for 0 color payoff.
CHANGED FORMULA - NOT THE SAME 1
Sunless Sonja from Detroit, Michigan
I am incredibly annoyed - company totally changed the formula on all of their fake bake lotions. This was my GO TO. I would have such long lasting natural looking tanned skin with the older formula, now I'm lucky if it lasts a day. Not to mention I break out more because I have to use more to even obtain half the color I am used to. Waste of money. Do not buy!
I have tried SO many self tanners and this one is AMAZING! 5
Storm from Texas
I really love having color and trying to keep my skin out of the sun. I can't tell you how many I have tried that say they have no smell and they were awful! If they didn't have smell, then they didn't darken. This color is gorgeous! Smells like coconut, very little hint of anything else.
Changed formula, cheaper packaging 1
Hannah from Houston
Like many other commenters, I used to LOVE this product! It was my go-to self tanner for years. I bought the lighter version for winter a few months ago and was so disappointed the packaging changed (it now looks and feels super cheap) and the formula had changed. The light color did nothing for me and I'm very white in the winter. I returned and bought this darker one and it was the same...cheap packaging, hardly any color. Faded in a day vs the old formula that was actually dark and would look great for a week.
Save your money and don't buy, it's a totally different product now and not worth the money.
Great color! 4
Kate𤩠from Ohio
Love the color I get and how long it last! It's also not sticky at all like some self tanners I've used. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I can see it sitting in my pores on my face even after I wash it off. I've had to stop using it on my face and I've started using tanning drops in my moisturizer instead.
Changed Formula 2
CS from ohio
i have been buying this for about a year and was surprised when i got a new bottle that looked totally different. the bottle itself, the way it's shaped, when you try to push down the top the plastic rides up and crinkles which won't allow you to spray it so you just have to throw the plastic sleeve away. i was hoping it was the same formula because i LOVED this tanner, but sadly i believe it's changed. it seems less dark to me. it does dry quicker now which is great but has almost completely washed off (where it didn't wash off it's very very patchy) after 3 days. applied sunday night, rinsed on monday, it's now wednesday. i'm so bummed out because now i'll have to go back to the way more expensive tanners but i can't justify tanning every 3 days.
It's the best! 5
Meg from Georgia
I buy this product over and over! I love it!
New formula 2
Caroline from Ohio
I purchased this last year and loved it, but when I repurchased in February 2021, the formula was completely different. I apply it exactly as instructed on the package but the product just moves around on the skin, gets muddy, and won't set. I will not repurchase.