If you caught my recent post on my tanning routine, you’ll already know that I’ve swapped sunbathing for something much safer, shade-bathing. After my grandma’s skin cancer diagnosis, the idea of baking in the sun lost its appeal. These days, I let the SPF do the work while I rely on a good self-tanner to bring the glow. I’m fortunate to have an olive complexion, so even when I’ve scrubbed off every trace of fake tan, there’s still a little warmth left behind. But that doesn’t stop me from chasing that freshly-bronzed look year-round.
Over the years, I’ve tried more tanning products than I care to admit, and I thought I had my routine down to a fine art, until Tan Luxe entered the chat. When everyone and their algorithm started raving about Tan Luxe, I had to see what the hype was about.
The Products That Started It All
For my first test run, I bought Tan Luxe The Face Drops and The Gradual Lotion — the two products I saw everywhere online. The results I’d seen were beautiful, but I had one major concern: would they be deep enough for my olive undertone?
For reference, my go-to tan has always been the Loving Tan Ultra Dark Mousse, so anything lighter usually struggles to keep up. Let me just say this upfront — Tan Luxe has officially earned a permanent place on my bathroom shelf. These two products have completely transformed how I tan.
Tan Luxe The Face Drops: A Game-Changer for Natural Glow
Let’s start with The Face Drops. I bought them because, while I love my all-over mousse tan, I started worrying about what that formula was doing to my pores. I wanted a more skincare-friendly option — and this was it. My routine is simple: I mix a couple of drops with my moisturiser in the evening, apply it evenly, and wake up with the most divine, sun-kissed glow.
The difference between Tan Luxe The Face Drops and a traditional mousse tanner is night and day. The drops leave my skin looking naturally radiant — like I’ve just come back from a weekend in the Mediterranean — whereas my mousse tan sometimes gives off a slightly “too-perfect” bronze that doesn’t always scream real skin. Now, I can go makeup-free without feeling washed out, and my skin feels healthier too.
Tan Luxe The Gradual: My Secret to Long-Lasting Colour
Now onto The Gradual Lotion, my unexpected winner of the two. On its own, I’ll admit — it’s not dark enough for me. But that’s not how I use it. The magic happens when I pair it with my usual mousse tan.
Each Sunday evening, I start my tanning ritual: exfoliate, moisturise dry areas, then apply Loving Tan Ultra Dark Mousse. Once it’s dry, I add an extra layer to my chest (for some reason, my tan never develops as well there). Then, throughout the week, I use Tan Luxe The Gradual as my daily body moisturiser. It hydrates, smooths, and keeps my tan looking seamless right through to the next Sunday — no patchiness, no streaks, no awkward fade. In short, it makes my fake tan look expensive.
The Results: Consistent Glow, Zero Effort
After using both products together for a couple of months, I’m obsessed. My skin looks bronzed, smooth, and radiant all the time. Gone are the days when I’d hit Friday looking dull and desperate for a new layer. My colour now fades gracefully and lasts longer, meaning I spend less time reapplying and more time pretending I’ve just come back from holiday.
It’s safe to say Tan Luxe has converted me. These are the kind of products that make you wonder what you were doing before.
Would I Recommend Tan Luxe?
Absolutely — especially if you… prefer a natural, buildable glow rather than a full-on tan, want something lightweight that fits into your skincare routine, are tired of the fake tan smell (these products have none!) and need your tan to last between mousse applications
If you’ve been hesitant to try the brand, let me be the one to tell you: it’s worth it. The finish, the feel, and the ease make these two products game changers — and I’m officially never going back.
Final Thoughts
I started this tanning journey out of caution — protecting my skin while still chasing the confidence that comes with a golden glow. What I found instead was a new kind of routine: effortless, natural, and, honestly, kind of luxurious. Tan Luxe has earned a permanent spot in my rotation, and I have no doubt I’ll be repurchasing for years to come. Because sometimes, the best glow isn’t from the sun , it’s from smart, sunless science.
