Product Reviews Rated 4.42 out of 5 stars
324 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 324 customers 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.
This is my holy grail product!! 5
Dani from Phoenix, AZ
Smells great, looks natural, definitely easy for beginners at self tanning, just absolutely stunning!
Favorite self tanner 5
Caitlin from Arkansas
I've tried many self tanners and this one is by far the best!
Great Color, Washes Right Off 3
Tanaholic from Myrtle Beach
So the initial color of Fake Bake is awesome, if you're in a pinch and need some color right away you can slap some on just stay away from any liquid that might get on you. If you have white sheets just you'll need to sleep head to toe covered because it comes off on them immediately. It does not matter how long you leave this stuff on for it washes off as soon as the water touches you. You might as well spend $8 more to get Loving Tan Ultra Dark where the color is amazing, it stays on for weeks, smell is good, doesn't rub off onto sheets and is not sticky. I thought this new formula would be better considering they doubled the price but the only thing changed was the packaging :/
My favorite self-tanner 5
KP from Utah
This product creates a beautiful color. It is easy to use. It never turns orange. I've been using it for almost ten years.
It's the only one I use 5
Katiek from Albany NY
Ive tried so many and I always come back to this one, for years now! you can see where it's applied and it can be layered to build darkness...my moto: tan chubs are better than pale chubs ;) recommend
Looks great right away but washes off 3
Aea from Columbia, sc
I first tried the regular fake bake and loved it. This one isn't that much darker and most color washes off with next shower (I wait 12 hours before showering or swimming). With this one I have to apply every 2-3 days if I want any color at all. The regular fake bake would last 5-6 days.
Will not buy again. (Smell is good not gross sunless tanner smell. Comes with mitt and gloves which is great)
streaky/uneven 3
Cassie from Alabama
i have tried alot of self tanners and Fake bake is up there next to jergens as some of the worst. this is my opinion based on my body and experience. Fake Bake left alot of uneven color and spots. i know how to apply tanners and read instructions. however it didn't matter. the color comes out uneven. and it does not last long at all maybe a day or two. but again uneven. i would not waste my money on this brand. there are more out there that work perfect and alot cheaper.
I would buy this product again and again 5
Skin expert from Florence, SC
This is my go to tanner. I love how it drys so quick and easy. I don't feel sticky after applying. I love how soft the mitt is and how pretty the packaging is.
I love this product, on 3rd bottle now! 5
Angel A. from Ocala Fl.
Love this product, im still on my 1st bottle and have bought 2 more to have as backups. The spray isnt messy whatsoever, and it dries super quick into the skin, i do wish the tan stayed as dark as it is when you first apply it due to the color guard, but after washing it off 10hrs later, im left with a very nice tan, not orangey, looks good! Only downside Id say is that the product does enhance imperfections, pores, any razor burn, dry skin patches, and scratches. I learned the hard way haha, but no worries, product is very satisfactory!
Nope 1
Jour from Kansas City
Umm I purchased this because most reviews said it was the best..Very confused because it's anything but that? I have had better luck with cheap drug stores brands, that I will definitely go back to over this In a heartbeat. This stuff isn't buildable at all, I applied 2 coats (applied 1 let it dry and applied the other) & a) the color is was green on my skin & b) most, If not all of the color I applied washed off in the shower. For reference I followed the instructions to a T: exfoliated, applied light moisturizer (let dry for 30), slept in it for 8 hours and showered. Got out of the shower and was like ummm dude where's my tan?
Best self tanner out there! 5
Meg from New Jersey
I use this product almost every day. I love the sun kissed look and this self tanner gives me that instant tan, i'm looking for without the streaks. Of course take the time to apply and blend it in.
Changed formula—and it's better than before! 5
MayBAE from Twin Cities, MN
Not only are the new bottles different (a little thinner/taller and white), but it seems like they changed the mitts a little bit and the formula as well. The mitt is the all black one that they've had for awhile, but it seems like it's more fine and thinner than previous ones. It also seems like less liquid soaks into the mitt, which is nice! And, the new formula dries WAY better than the old. I used to be sticky and uncomfortable the entire time I was wearing it—and had to put different sheets and pillowcases down because it melted off on EVERYTHING. I'm actually quite comfortable still having it on (12+ hours later) and I feel like the lack of an abundance of guide color means I could probably skip showering it off altogether and not look like a dirtball. There is still a guide color, so you'll still be able to see where it's applied, it's just not as plentiful. Seriously....if the color payoff is as good as the old formula, I will be immensely pleased about the change. I'm not sure I'll even have to swap out bed sheets anymore and that is HUGE!
Best Self Tanner I've Ever Used 5
Kimberly from CA
Every summer, usually in an effort to save a few bucks, I will try a couple other tanners before always getting disappointed and going back to this one. This is hands down the best tanner I've used and I've tried probably a dozen, both higher end and drugstore. None of them get this even or this kind of color and dry as quickly. The only drawback is that it does bleed a bit on clothes or sheets, but it does come out. I've learned to wear dark things after applying it. I use it at night, with the mitt and wake up to be quite dark. This is a very good self tanner that gives you a deep tan and worth the price.
Hands down best tanner out there 5
Roni from FL
I've been using this self tanner for YEARS. The color is gorgeous and stays almost a whole week. The color guide will rub off on whatever you wear so I have a specific pair of pj's that I wear and sleep with it on all night. In the morning I have a super dark, beautiful tan.
Best self tanner you can buy!! 5
Lex from Jefferson City
This has all the amazing qualities as the original fake bake, but darker! I love the color and it lasts! Doesn't cling to dryness and doesn't leave me orange! Has the most natural and dark color that I've always wished I could be naturally! Trust me, you need this!
The perfect summer glow, without the sun! 5
indygirl1086 from Indianapolis, IN
As I approach my mid-30s, I've been actively trying to avoid the sun even though laying by the pool is one of my favorite summer activities. After trying the original Fake Bake Flawless and loving it, I realized that I wanted a little more bang for my buck when it came to color payoff. Don't get me wrong - the original is great, but as others have pointed out, it gives you more of a natural glow. If you want a deep tan, you'd need multiple applications. Enter Fake Bake Flawless Darker. This version is just as easy to apply as the original, and it gives you the most natural dark tan I've gotten from an at-home self-tanner. Even after lightly going over areas like my feet and hands several times to ensure I got them covered, there's no weird orange or dirty looking color development. That in itself is a huge win! I have a Versa Spa membership but honestly, I might cancel it now because the color from this product is SO much more natural (read: not orange). Highly recommend this stuff, especially if you're trying to get a summer glow without the sun!
Flawless! 5
AmandaKYoung89 from North Augusta, SC
I love this stuff! This stuff gives me a natural looking "sun-kissed" tan/glow without any streaks or that nasty tan smell. It doesn't make my fair complected skin look orange either! I will most def purchase this again. I was a little freaked out after I first applied it because it just didn't look all that "flawless". I showered after the recommended 6 hours and to my relief, the color is perfect.
Great Product 5
Missy from Oklahoma City
This stuff is awesome and so easy to put on. Great Product
Whoa 5
Brittanyann26 from Michigan
Ok. I used to be a loyal customer of loving tan, until I tried this. It's the best self tanner I have ever tried. It doesn't turn you orange! Well I have an olive skin tone and it definitely doesn't turn me orange anyways. It dries super fast, which I like, so I'm not standing naked waiting for it to dry! It's also cheaper than loving tan which I'm super happy about.
My personal favorite 5
Lauren from Cleveland, Ohio
I'm very pale and burn If I try to tan so fake tans are a must for me. I've been using this since 2014 and I've never switched. Great color no streaks people say I always smell like coconuts lol and everyone believes it's a real tan they are shocked when I tell them it's spray tan and I do it myself. Be sure to do this at night before bed and in the morning take a cool shower to rinse off or else your clothes will stain. Moisturize and repeat maybe 2-3 days later my tan will usually last 2 weeks before I have to scrub it off. Great product and fair price!
Best self tanner 5
KH from Fort Smith, AR
This dries super fast and gives an even tan. It only takes a few minutes to apply.
Ehhhh 2
Shila from CA
The color is nice and natural but it fades away SO fast! I prefer to only self-tan once a week but with this one I have to reapply it every 2-3 days, which also means I go through a bottle rather quickly. It's not worth it the time and effort. Wish the color lasted longer.
MUST BUY 5
Kati from Muskego, WI
I have been using this brand / product since I was in high and it is still go my go-to self tanner even now in my late 20's. Love how the color goes on, it's not streaky, and it's super easy.
Best self tanner 5
Ally from Kentucky
I love this self tanner! I applied it after I showered and it dries within minutes. I've only ever used mousse tanners so the spray bottle was a little weird at first, but the application is really easy and it dries so much quicker than mousse or tanning water. I normally have fair skin so I waited until I got a little natural color then applied this and I love the results!
