Review of the Bellamianta Self Tanning Lotion

If you are from Derry or in fact anywhere in Northern Ireland then you would have heard about this Bellamianta tan. This tan was so hyped up by some of the most popular beauty salons in the city who have began to become promoters and stockists of the tan. It nearly feels like the time that one of Kylie Jenner's make up artists revealed that she uses Mac Velvet Teddy Lipstick to create her signature lips and all of a sudden there was a completely man hunt on everyone trying to get there hands on one (me being one of them!)

As much as I love being tan, I had always been petrified of using an tan that you had to leave to develop. I had used the Dove Summer Glow tinted moisturiser for years from the age of about 13 to 18. If I was going out on a Friday night, I would start applying it on the Tuesday so that I could build it up gradually. I would use the Rimmel BB Instant tan in the shade light as an extra coat for
emergencies.

I had got the odd spray tan for formals and weddings and it always makes you feel proper amazing afterwards being tanned from head to toe. So when they released the St Tropez Express Tanning Moose I just jumped at the hype. It offers a window as for you to decide how dark or light you want your tan, leave on for 1hour for a light tan, 2hours for a medium and 3hours for a dark. The first time I used I found it so easy to apply. I let it sit for an hour and didn't feel dark enough, then I left it for two. I was terrified to leave it for three in case I turned orange! The result was a lovely golden/olive toned tan that was even and didn't have an awfully terrible smell (I think I have become immune to it at this stage!) This was my holy grail tan for years, I even got so used to it that I would leave it on over night. The only downside was that it was nearly £32 a bottle, I'd often be able to pick up a bottle in TKMAXX for a cheaper price. The bottle did last ages but I always found that after a day or so the tan would have went very patchy around the crook of my arm. It was almost scaly looking, I always make sure to prep my skin by keeping it moisturised and exfoliating it regularly. I just learned to live with the fact that my skin was never going to maintain a tan.

I have to say that it was the first time I had heard about the Bellamianta tan a few weeks ago. I heard about it from Colour Me Bootiful, an amazing make up artist from Derry. And here's my verdict.

Initial impressions

1) The price: It is priced at £14.99 a bottle, the velvet mitt that accompanies it is priced at £5.99.
2) The product: a thick dark gel that you only need a little taste of.
3) The smell: Initial smell is quite fresh and clean, not overly powering.
4) The packaging: Simple, easy to dispense product.
5) The mitt: soft and velvety, the thumb really helps with application. Plastic lining which makes sure that no tan transfers onto the palm of the hand.

The Claims & Truths

Dries in 60 seconds: Definitely, didn't leave me feeling sticky or tacky, I felt confident to put on my PJ's afterwards without feeling that they would be sticking to me.

Develops in 2-4hours: I could see it getting a lot darker. I always leave tan on over night and it was slightly darker in the morning when I woke.

Golden/Olive tone: It does have a less orange undertone, it is very dark and not for the faint hearted. Doesn't look dirty or oompa-loompa like.

Ready to wear colour: Yes! the colour on it's first application is lovely and you could easily apply it in the morning and wear it out and then shower and have a lovely tan at night.

Streak Free / Easy to use: I found out quickly that you don't need a lot of the tan, a small pea size amount goes a long way. Being used to using moose formulas, this new gel/lotion took a while to get used to. It takes a lot of blending, but the instant colour means that its easy to spot where you have missed.

Before and After just following application.

Transfer & Water resistant: My sheets are normally covered in tan, but there was minimal colour that wore off. Only slightly onto my PJ's around the neck and under the arm but I think this is more to do with sweat than actual transfer. When I showered off the first layer, there was some colour in the shower but it didn't take away any of the colour that I had before having the shower. It was the same colour, it just looked a lot softer and even post shower.

Even wear off: This is the thing that I was looking forward to test the most. As I've mentioned before, my usual tan would last around 2 days and at that it would be patchy on my arms and under my arms. I tired this tan on a Saturday night and had a shower on Sunday afternoon. The tan was a lovely colour post shower. Overnight there was minimal fake tan smell compared to what I was used to before. This could be down to the odour neutralising technology and the fact that they use premium grade DHA (which is the ingredient that reacts with your skin to create the tanning colour and usually causes the awful fake tan smell).

Post shower

My skin felt lovely and moisturised with this tan. I do have a dry patch on the top of my arm that tan will always stick to no matter how much I exfoliate or moisturise. I always apply an oil free moisturiser to my dry areas like my hands, wrists, knees, elbows and feet. Examples are from Nivea, St Tropez and Fake Bake, the oil free aspect is key because otherwise the tan will not be able to stick to the skin. Having quite sensitive skin, I can sometimes be reluctant to use new products but as this tan is non-toxic, free from parabens/alcohol (alcohol dries out the skin), free from harsh chemicals and is filled with high quality ingredients, I knew that there would be no reason that my skin would react badly to it.

I'm on placement at the minute and I was hesitant at having this tan on for being there. I am constantly washing my hands and using the alcohol gel and not to mention sweating at the same time. So I knew that if this tan could survive for the week then it would be a number one in my books. The tan did fade very evenly, even the crook of my arm was fine. The only issue I did have was that it gathered around my knuckles but I think this was purely down to the dry skin and constant hand washing. 

Colour: the overall colour lasted a good 5 days. I was very pleased with it and I had a number of people comment on the tan and saying about how lovely it looked. 

I would definitely use this tan again, in fact I'm sitting writing this post with a layer already applied and I'm going to see how it lasts on a night out. It is a great formula, unlike anything I have ever tried before, and the fact that it is made with clean ingredients and is made in Northern Ireland, doesn't smell and has a great colour, what more could you love! 

You can pick up a bottle along with the mitt on the Bellamianta Website and Colour Me Bootiful Salon (Abercorn Road Derry- they also do Bellamianta Spray Tans), Joanne Cooke Hair (Derry). There are so many other stockists, but there is a full list on the Bellamianta website, I'm sure there is a salon/chemist close by that you can pick up a bottle from, you need this! 

Lots of love,
Maria xx