I Thought Self-Tan Would Make Me Orange And Streaky, But This Beginner-Friendly Lotion Proved Me Wrong

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I have something to confess; though I spent years as a shopping writer, often covering beauty, I’ve never once tried a self-tanner.

That’s not because I am naturally sun-kissed. Far, far from it.

It’s just that I’ve always been intimidated by self-tanning products, fearing streaky, orange results that revealed my inexperience at a single glance.

If I were going to try a self-tanner, I told myself, it would have to be something natural-looking and gradual; something beginner-friendly that wouldn’t ruin my skin or my sheets.

Enter: Coco & Eve’s ridiculously highly-rated gradual self-tanning lotion.

The brand’s Sun-Kissed gradual tanning lotion promised “buildable” results, which meant I could control my self-tan shade by simply stopping applications when I was happy with the results.

The silky, non-sticky formula promised to hydrate my skin, provide a streak-free glow, and absorb too quickly into my skin to damage my clothes (never mind my bedding).

It also required zero rinse-off, which I always reckoned I’d mess up somehow.

So, I thought I’d give it a try on a single leg – look, I did say I’m a sceptic – ahead of wedding season, when I’m hoping to achieve a full-body, credible-looking glow.

The first thing that impressed me about the self-tanner was its genuinely lovely smell (its scent profile includes, among other aromas, apple, vanilla, coconut, and peach).

Secondly, I loved its hydrating-feeling finish; it was as easy as applying regular moisturiser to my legs.

I followed the instructions, applying a thin layer to clean, dry skin and then leaving it to absorb (this took a matter of minutes) before going about my day.

The next day, I woke up to the results.

It’s safe to say I was far more impressed than I thought I would be.

The gradual tanner is meant to do just that: slowly, gently provide a natural-looking glow on your skin. Day one should provide a subtle but undeniable flush of colour that shows zero streaks.

Those seeking a deeper tan can keep going; I reckon I’ll do a two-day routine for upcoming weddings (once you’ve achieved the colour you want, maintaining it is as simple as re-applying every two days).

But honestly, I was obsessed with the day one results. My left leg, to which I applied the gradual tanner, looked less like I’d covered it in self-tanner and more like I had a natural foundation on my skin.

Not only did it cover my deathly-pale skin with a malted milk-level biscuit tan, but it also hid my usually bright blue veins and I-don’t-know-where-they-come-from bruises.

I’ve been completely converted.

Not only is the gradual-tanning lotion way more natural-looking than I thought, but there are benefits I never expected: the smell is divine, the application is ridiculously low-hassle, the results are completely in my control, and there are zero marks on my clothes or sheets.

I can’t recommend Coco & Eve’s Sun-Kissed gradual tanner enough for self-tan sceptics like me who are new to the beauty routine (and honestly, I think anyone after a low-fuss, natural-looking, streak-free finish should consider it too).