Melvita Prosun Gradual Self-Tanning Moisturizing Gel-Cream Review

I wanted to look a bit more tanned but not OTT as I had a fairly low key event to attend last Friday and I didn't want to look ridiculous. Plus I had a bit of a manic week so I was struggling to set aside time to go through the rigmarole of tanning "properly".

 

At times like this I turn to a gradual tanner for a more natural glow with less of a fuss and a faff, usually I use L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Gradual Tan 24 Hour Moisturising Lotion Medium Skin* (formerly Nutrisummer) but since I'd just been sent this Melvita tan to test I thought I'd try that. I've heard of Melvita products before but have never tried anything from the brand before.

I like the packaging, it's bright and fun and the squeezy bottle is practical. This is vanilla and coconut scented...in all honesty it smells quite sweet and vanilla-y, kind of like vanilla custard or creme brulee (it's a good thing honestly!) and as it's yellow it kind of looks like that too. Ridiculously easy to apply, you just rub it in like body lotion. It feels moisturising too! I always wash the palms of my hands after using too as tanned palms are a fakery giveaway.

I applied this over 2 days, when it develops there's the vaguest fake tan whiff but it isn't noticeable and I've used this in the morning before work without washing it off and it was fine.  It doesn't contain DHA so that probably explains that.  It doesn't have a guide colour to it, it's just white like a moisturiser, which I don't mind in a gradual tanner as it's less likely to go massively wrong like with a normal tanner (where I do prefer a guide colour) and it dries quickly though still leaves your skin feeling smooth and hydrated.  I'm not sure where the "gel" in the name of the product comes from but never mind.
 

After application and development his gave a really nice, natural colour. It's not so subtle that you can't see a difference and gives a lovely glow that isn't in your face or orange. One point is that it clung to my extremely dry elbows a bit so if yours are a bit dry you might want to slap a bit of normal mousturiser on there before you start.  There was no streaking or funny patchy business going on either.  I prefer the colour and the lack of streaks to the L'Oreal one I usually use, though the L'Oreal one is quite a bit cheaper.
 

In terms of moisturising it also did a great job of that too with a couple of people commenting how soft my skin is. I'm notoriously bad at regularly moisturising my bod so I'd definitely attribute this to the gradual tanner (or as my boyfriend calls it "slow release tan" ha!)

I would 100% buy this in future and I'll definitely be restocking once this runs out.  It isn't cheap at £22 for 150ml, especially when it's a product you need to use a few times a week but I do think it's worth it - a total confidence boost in a bottle with minimal effort. Available from feelunique.com*.