Rated 4.41 out of 5 stars
206 Reviews
I was pleasantly surprised by this product as I usually use Minetan Violet (mousse), but I wanted to try this based on the reviews and skin benefits. The day before I did my usual thorough exfoliation. Right before applying, I applied CeraVe to toes, insteps, heels, ankles, knees. Then I put on gloves and applied pretty liberally (maybe too liberally?) to legs and thighs, then used tanning mitt in circular motions to smooth in, and then applied excess from mitt to tops of feet, very carefully. I always take a damp tissue to toes afterward so they don't turn muddy from absorbing too much color. The cream dried in about 30 minutes and color started developing after about an hour. Smell is noticeable but not bad to me. My color is very nice, medium golden, no streaks, no orange or blotches, and was even deeper after I applied again the next day (see pics). Loved how my skin felt and looked. I am olive/naturally tan well in the sun, but I self tan my legs (I use La Mer Soleil Gradual Tan only on face / chest) and let my arms tan naturally (but not too much sun exposure). What I noticed with this product is that while the color is very natural and impressive, it is not the closest match to my natural tan color. I will definitely buy this again, it will be great in winter, esp for nourishment, but it just seems the Minetan Violet and La Mer are a better match to my natural tan color, less caramel-ly. So I will continue looking around.
TL;DR - this is ok, but I don't think its much better than something else you could pick up at a drugstore for much cheaper. If you're gunna buy a premium brand, there are others out there I would pick. I'm a self-tanner junkie. Naturally very pale and burn easily so I've tried more products than I can count in hunt of the perfect everyday natural glow. Compared to other products the smell really isn't that bad and does mostly wash off, but its still worth noting you'll smell like tanner once it starts developing until your first shower. The first major problem I have with this lotion is there's no tint guide! My first application with this stuff was mostly even but I had some really awkward looking spots around one elbow, wrists etc, also missed a small spot here and there. The color is also just ok - its more orange than I'd like, but thats always going to be a little different on everyone based on your natural skin tone. Beware run-off on your towels too. I applied the lotion in the evening, slept in it and rinsed a good 10hrs later in the morning. Even though I only blotted dry, I left behind a big bronze mess on my white towels. I'll be sticking to the St. Tropez mousse. It smells but I never have a single streak and the color is the perfect bronze. The only real positive I'll say about this stuff is that it felt great after applying - best I've ever used in that category. I didn't notice any odor at all until the next morning and was so comfortable and soft to sleep in. Doesn't feel sticky or like you're going to ruin your sheets. I would also definitely give this another try if they created a tinted version.
5
TERREL C. from Undisclosed
This sunless tan cream gives a great golden look to my skin without turning it yellow like other products I've tried, it also feels light, doesn't color my hands, & has a nice fragrance!
Maureen G. from Undisclosed
Excellent product!
2
Sean O. from Undisclosed
I've been using this with my daily face treatment and I have not noticed any difference. I have a very small amount of skin tint but it's far from looking tan.
Trish G. from Undisclosed
I've tried a number of self tanners and this is the best one I've used.
Gina from NJ
This is well worth the money as it works better than less expensive brands; and is a 'cleaner" option with no risky ingredients. No smell, no streaking, and the color looks natural on my fair skin. It also doesn't have that tacky feel and no streaks were visible on my clothes.
4
Tessa D. from Undisclosed
Great results. I'm not a fan of the smell, but I just wash it off after a few hours and it's fine
Melanie C. from Undisclosed
Love this self-tanner! It goes on even - no streaking and smells good. I put it on at night, let it set overnight, then shower off in the morning. It lasts for about 4 days, but you can re-apply for a deeper tan.
Sarah from NJ
This lotion is very easy to apply and leaves a seamless glow. The color develops very quick and looks natural. I mixed this lotion with my everyday face moisturizer and it didn't bother my skin. The smell, however, is advertised as piña colada but later in the day, it definitely had a typical self tanner smell which I'm particularly a fan of. Other than that, I really do like this lotion and do recommend it as a south eastern Asian. It works very well with my skin tone
Cat J. from Undisclosed
Love this product. It's a must have year round
Martha P. from Undisclosed
I have been using coola since I had been advised by my doctor to limit my time in the sun. I never thought I would have a natural looking tan again; I was wrong. Coola looks like a real tan, is good for my skin and smells great! I love this product!
1
sarah from Central New York
As soon as I opened the bottle the odor was just pungent. I spent quite a penny on it so I just decided to give it a try. The formula was so watery, even after I shook up the bottle. Definitely will be returning ASAP
Angela B. from Undisclosed
This lotion has been a staple for me for the last 2 years. I use it 2x a week after a shower and it keeps me with just the right amount of glow I need to not look pasty! I can't live without it. Dries fast and has a very subtle natural scent.
Nancy P. from Undisclosed
I've tried a few brands and coola is by far my favorite. Knowing the products are clean is wonderful but they also work nicely. Nothing like feeling and looking sunkissed.
Dawn D. from Undisclosed
I love the light tan. Evens out my skin tone.
Kristy from LA
It's not bad but it has an orangey look to it which completely surprised me because of how much it cost. It's been years since i tried a self tanner and it was alot of orange look to it instead of a bronze looking tan. Definitely would not buy it again.
Allie from Orange County, CA.
Within 20 mins my skin turned bright red. I'm not allergic to many things, but this burned. Also left streaks EVERYWHERE. Because it doesn't have any tint you can't see where you've applied. Returned it right away. Too bad. I was excited it was mostly organic. Wish it was a tinted mousse, instead of a white lotion. I use fake tanning products a lot (for pool parties, Vegas, photoshoots) so I know how to apply them. This one was not it.
3
Becky from Undisclosed
I'm disappointed in this. I was hoping for a good gradual tan, but even with the first application it's too drastic. I can see where I missed on a couple fingers. I was expecting a more gradual process. I highly recommend mixing with lotion if you're fair skinned.
Denise from Michigan
Applies nicely, believable color, but it comes off on clothes.
Ashlyn from Rome Ga
Does a light glow, if that. Only showed up well in some areas on my body. I wouldn't purchase again, it wasn't worth the $40+ to me.
Holly from Detroit, MI
This product leaves a lingering odor. After using for a full week, I was just as pale as ever.
Shannon from Phoenix Az
This product is the first Tanner I have tried that doesn't leave me smelling like self Tanner. When applying there is a light scent but it does not linger. My skin feels very smooth and soft and the color is perfect!! The best!!
Amy from Livonia, MI
I really wanted to love this product because it is rated pretty well for clean ingredients. I didn't notice the smell but my eyes sure noticed something. I used this only up to my neck, not at all on my face. Within a day, my eyes were having an allergic reaction. I showered it off after about 12 hours but the irritation continued for another day or two. I tried this on two totally separate occasions to make sure it was really the lotion and not something else. It's too bad because I loved how it looked and it was easy to apply. It was subtle and non-streaky. If you're not prone to sensitivities, I'd give it a try. But I had to return mine.
Ashlea H. from Undisclosed
Very easy to apply! No streaking and love that color builds over time!
Jan from Bend or
I love this stuff. It needs to be layered but once you get there it's perfect. The problem is it's so expensive. I'm considering mixing and matching but others are Orange. There is a subscription thing on their website. I'm addicted. I can apply it with my hands no need for mitt. Easy application. I
Suzy R. from Undisclosed
I love this product! Gives a natural color & doesn't smell