I have used all of the products I referred to above, and many more that I cannot recall the names of at the moment. I have used the appropriate shades for my skin color and they do look orange. The Clarins product is an expensive product that unfortuantely also gives an orange hue. I have never aimed for a deep dark tan as I am fair skinned as well. With the exception of professional airbrush tan, you cannot get a deep dark tan if you are fair skinned. No one ever had to tell me the products I mentioned made me look orange, I could see it for myself. Sorry to disagree, but I see people all of the time using products that look orange. Of course, I wouldn't tell someone I didn't know that they look orange, I'd hope they could see it for themselves. I really don't think most people aim for the orange look, they just don't realize how orange the product makes them look. With regard to the price, you get what you pay for. Affordable is a subjective term. I'd rather pay a little extra for a realistic "tan". Also, the realistic products usually produce at least 4 to 5 all over body coverage applications per bottle. The product only has to be applied one time unlike other products where you "build your tan". It works out to about 8.50 per week for a great color tan. I think that is a reasonable price, as there isn't any waste with the mousse products. They go on evenly, and you can see where you are applying them as opposed to the products that have no color to them upon application. The color only appears hours later, and if the application is not even, there isn't much you can do about it. If I couldn't afford a product that gave me a realistic "tan", I would not use a cheaper product just because it was cheaper, despite the result. If there were a more realistic and cheaper product available, I would be all for it! IMHO, there is nothing worse than a fake tan that looks orange. I'd rather be tan-free than look orange. Yes, I too have tried the Coppertone self tanner, and it does look orange. You may have to go outside to see what your "tan" really looks like. If money is an issue and you want a good brown color "tan", buy the Whipped Chocolate, and you will get a nice light brown color. At approx. $10 per bottle, the tan works out to about 2.50 or less per application. I have also found that the creme based products tend to look streaked and take much longer to dry. The mousse produts are completely dry within 10 minutes. I guess it really a matter of how you want your "tan" to look. Also, if you only need to tan your legs for an evening out, the Sally Hansen spray product works well rather than wearing hose. I was attempting to share years of experimentation with the orange-looking substandard products, and provide a list of tried and true great "tan" results.

I wish that Savlon was available in the US. I guess I could buy it off of Amazon. This is a great thread, it's so old though, probably most of the products suggested have been discontinued...HA! My best beauty SECRET is something I just heard about a few months ago and have been doing it ever since. While watching an older (62) youtuber (what exactly do you call these people?) she was speaking of beauty tricks and she told us that years ago, she heard a plastic surgeon say that if women would do this exercise daily, they would never need a face lift. So of course I started do this since I'm in my fifties now. What you do is make a face as if you are smiling as big as you can possibly smile, teeth together but lips apart, you tighten your neck and raise your eyebrows. Do this for 15 seconds, release and do again 10 times a day. Since I have been doing this exercise, I have noticed a remarkable change in my saggy jawline. I have also noticed that my eye lids aren't as saggy either. I will continue to do this forever! I'm sold!

There a select few. Also, you need to prep before using the products. Good exfoliation of your skin and then a bit of vaseline around your heels, in between your toes, anyplace where the sun would not naturally tan. I use a bit of moisturizer on any really dry spots prior to applying the self tanner. 1. "Fake Bake" - great product. Looks very dark when you put it on, almost a dk brown/black green. Trick is to do it before bed and dry completely before getting into bed. If you aren't completely dry, the tanner will stain your bedsheets and may become uneven in places. First thing the next morning take a lukewarm shower. Don't use a washcloth or puff. Just soap off. You will see a the excess tanner washing off and will be left with a natural looking tan color. "Tan Towel" (the original) not the Loreal product. Is a wipe that will pretty much cover your arms, legs and face with one towelette. You can find these online. Pkging is white packet, black lettering. "Whipped Chocolate" - A foam that you apply in the evening and then take a shower first thing in the morning, leaves a nice light tan. Available at beauty supply houses like Sally, etc. Works similarly to Fake Bake, but significantly cheaper in price. The products that have a green hue to them are the best I've used. End product isn't at all orange looking. I also use a product called Ocean Potion which is a moisturizer with a hint of self tanner year round. It is great to even out a natural tan, or to build a small amount of coloring off season. Use it every day and within a week or so, you will have a light tan. Again, you need to be careful not to tan places that mother nature wouldn't if you were outside sun bathing (bottoms of your feet, etc). I think the biggest issue is lack of preparation in using these products. You definitely need to exfoliate, use moisturizer in dry spots prior to application. Thereafter, you need to moisturize every day to keep the tan from looking like it has cracked. Stay away from Neutrogena spray tan, all Clarins' self tanning, and most all of the drugstore instant tan products. IMHO, these are a few of the worst offenders of making people look like someone took an orange marker and went crazy. Oh, and wash your hands thoroughly a few times as soon as you are done applying any self tanning product. Soap them up into a good lather, and then take a nail brush and do under your fingernails and around your cuticles. Nothing worse than having self tanner on your hands. It's a dead giveway.

I received the most wonderful package from petalpatsy. We don't know each other, but it was just like she knew what I would like! There was a lovely Christmas card, lots and lots of great fabric, TWO books - Stash Envy and Kaleidoscope Quilts - TWO packages with candy - Kisses and a Whitman's Soho box which I had never seen before but it says "Artist Inspired Chocolates" - how cool is that? (!!), a very nice shade of medium tan thread, a tissue packet with a quilting design on the wrapper, and a Hershy's Kiss thimble in a little mess bag - I will love using that thimble! How great everything is and I can't possibly thank you enough, Patricia. This was my fist time with this type of swap on the Quilting Forum and it really exceeded any expectations I would have had about it. I have to comment on the two books that you selected for me because they are so appropriate. I read Stash Envy a few years ago and loved it, but did not have a copy of it. As for Kaleidoscope Quilts, Paula Nadelstern who is the author was the dream teacher for our quilt quild in 2008 and I attended her class but had not purchased her book, so I am thrilled to have that as well! Merry Christmas to you, Patricia, and to all the other quilters! Jeanne