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If you’re a fan of my vegan skincare & beauty reviews, you’ve probably already read some of my thoughts on self tanners. I grew up in a time when tanning booths were all of the rage. And I am definitely guilty of spending my teen years horizontal wearing those little goggles hoping to come out a new shade of orange! 😅
Now that I know better, I don’t spend my time indoor tanning but I still need a beautiful even glow. My mom is West Indian & I have an olive undertone. So when I’m pale, I feel like I look unhealthy. But even when I just have a very natural hint of a tan, I feel so much better about myself.
Insert Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk! Let me tell you, I stumbled upon this find at a CVS or a Walgreens while I was in Palm Springs about 5 years ago. And since then I have found it at my local Shoppers Drug Mart here in Toronto.
And for 5 years strong, I’ve been using this as a weekly glow top up.
Before we get into the review, if you’d like to checkout any of my other vegan self tanner reviews, checkout the links listed below 👇
- Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops
- Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Butter
- St. Tropez Tanning Mist
- Drunk Elephant D. Bronzi Drops
Let’s get into this vegan skincare review…
Price: $21.49(USD) & $27.99(CAD) 13.2ml
Initial Reaction:
Tbh, I was impressed right away! I already loved the idea of a moisturizing & nourishing self tanner, basically a self tanner that doubles as skincare. Which is exactly what self tanners are lacking. So many can leave your skin dry which basically defeats the purpose of using a self tanner. If your skin is going to flake or have patchy dry spots, then your tan isn’t going to look even at all.
This tanning milk doesn’t have a strong tanner smell either. I was pleasantly surprised by that since almost all do or they’re filled with strong perfumes. In fact, my mom always says, “oh wow you smell nice” after I’ve applied this stuff.
Usage:
I have been using this stuff for a little while now. I tend to use it once a week, very rarely twice a week.
As shown in the video above, I usually use a tanning brush or a microfibre tanning mitt. Lately I’ve been preferring the mitt to the brush because it’s a little bit faster of an application.
Also wanted to note, you can wash your tanning mitts. I just throw them into a delicates bag with my darks & they come out brand new. This will save you, your bank account, & the planet a lot of waste.
Skin Concerns:
- no real body skin concerns other than not enjoying how my pale skin looks without a tan 😝
- usual need for moisturizer etc.
The Claims:
Sand, sea and sun, the enviable Australian image.
Enjoy a year-round tan with Bondi Sands innovative dual action Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk. Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E for healthy, glowing skin it glides on effortlessly for a long lasting golden tan every time.
Suitable For: Those looking for an easy, fuss-free application.
Australian Made. Cruelty Free. Vegan.
Bondi Sands
In the demonstration photos above, I applied the Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk 3 times a week for 4 weeks. You can see the gradual build of a very natural looking tan.
The Results:
Honestly, if you’re looking for a nice even gradual tan, this is the product for you!
You’re not going to see any streaking whatsoever & it’s also not going to shock you in the morning when you look in the mirror. Aka, no scary Oompa Loompa’s with this stuff.
Another little tip/thing that I like to do when applying this stuff is, I will use a creamy moisturizer & apply it to all of my dry areas ie, feet, hands, knees, & elbows. This way the tanner (and this works for all self tanners) won’t grab to any dry skin creating an uneven application.
Final Thoughts on this Vegan Skincare Item:
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
This stuff has become one of my weekly grabs. As mentioned above, I use it about once a week between my regular moisturizers & any other deeper self tanners. I find this Bondi Sands product acts as a great in-between from my darker tanners as those can break apart quicker. This moisturizing milk helps to repair the tan & keep it looking seamless longer.
And the biggest bonus of all of this, is that this is vegan skincare! Meaning, your skin will feel moisturized, hydrated, & loved! Unlike other tanners which are much more drying.
Will I Re-Purchase?:
Do I even have to answer this? DUH!
This stuff is on rotation for me now. I absolutely love it.
You can purchase this item from Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada or from CVS in the US.
Skincare Ingredients:
AQUA (WATER/EAU), ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, BIS-PEG-18 METHYL ETHER DIMETHYL SILANE, COCOGLYCERIDES, DIHYDROXYACETONE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, GLYCERYL STEARATE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ERYTHRULOSE, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), PROPYLPARABEN, LAURETH-7, CETYL PHOSPHATE, BUTYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, TRIETHANOLAMINE.
Thanks for sharing about this self tanner! I’ve never found one that I really like. This one seems just right.
It’s so much easier/applies better when it’s a moisturizer instead of just a “stain” I find.