ROADTEST: 4 women try the new Bondi Sands self-tan to see if it’s worth the hype.

Now that summer has packed up and left, it's become more obvious than ever that my skin is craving a subtle glow to complement my trans-seasonal wardrobe as we head into autumn. 

As a diligent sunscreen user, I've been on the lookout for a self-tan that can give me that radiant just-got-back-from-Fiji glow without compromising the health of my skin.

Enter stage left: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam.

Now, unless you have been living under a rock since 2012 – you'll probably know that Bondi Sands know their way around a self-tan product. They provide salon quality formulas, that work quickly and effectively to give you an even, natural and golden tan. Their products also work to hydrate and nourish the skin, meaning you will stay bronzed for longer and won't struggle with the dry patchy mess that can sometimes be left after self-tanning. 

This product is the result of extensive studies conducted to understand different skin tones, and how each skin tone processes the active tanning ingredients in the Technocolor tan. This basically means the colour of the tan itself is always going to be unique when reacting to different skin tones – so cool right? 

The range includes 4 different shades – Sapphire, Emerald, Magenta and Caramel – plus there is super handy quiz that you can complete before you purchase, which helps to find the perfect shade for you. 

Over the last week, 4 beauty lovers have been using the Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam to see if it lives up to the hype. 

Here is what they had to say. 

Laura, reviewing Emerald.

I tried the Tan Finder Quiz and my results said I could use either the Sapphire or Emerald shades. I have fair skin with a fairly neutral undertone, so this made so much sense. I decided to use the Emerald, as I love an olive undertone to my tan – and boy did it deliver. The olive tone even muted some of the redness in my skin.

My pet peeves with fake tan are: A strong odour, streakiness, tan that won't rub in properly, and an obvious orange shade. This tan did none of these and it’s left me almost speechless. 

Not only did it smell great, it went on like a dream with the mitt, and it took me barely 10 minutes to apply all over my body. Once I was done, there were no streaks and no strange patches – which is a feat for someone as fair and impatient as me. 

Bondi Sands recommend you leave the tan on for one to three hours. After an hour and a half I decided to wash it off because I was looking for a medium glow – which is exactly what I got. The next day at work one of my colleagues came up and asked me how I looked so tanned and glowy. When I told her it was fake, she was shocked because it looked so natural.

Image: Supplied. 

As of now, writing this, it’s been seven days, and the tan has faded beautifully with no patches. I could have definitely added another layer for a deeper tan but for me, I love using the one layer. The olive, natural look that fades like a real holiday glow is absolute perfection, and I will never use another tan again.

Image: Supplied. 

Lisa, reviewing Magenta.

Like everyone else on the planet, I have had my fair share of self-tan mishaps. 

We've all been there. Whether it be by using the wrong shade, not blending enough and ending up a blotchy mess, or the classic 'I think I have gotten it everywhere', only to find that you have missed an entire section of your body. So, when I realised the brand new Technocolor 1 Hour Express Foam works by enhancing your natural skin tone, and not by completely changing your skin colour, I was intrigued. 

To ensure I would get the best results out of my tan, I did a quick exfoliation in my shower beforehand and then used the Technocolor mitt to apply the product. It blended into my skin nicely, and within 10 minutes I had finished my application and could already see the formula getting to work. The tan only needs one hour to develop, but Bondi Sands recommend anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the level of colour you are after. 

I personally prefer a deeper tan colour, so I opted for the Magenta shade. I left it on for 2 hours and found that it worked perfectly at giving my skin the 'just got back from the Mediterranean' glow that I was looking for. 

It's safe to say I was super impressed with the product so far. But, what really got me, is that one week on and my skin still has a subtle glow and zero patchiness. 

I will absolutely be continuing to use the tan, and I love the way it enhances my skin tone and gives my skin a beautiful glow. 

Image: Supplied. 

Jessica, reviewing Sapphire.

I am a natural redhead and extremely pale – which means that when my self-tan doesn't go as planned... it is very obvious. My worst self-tanning experience was a DIY spray tan kit I used for the first time before school photos. I got the wrong colour... and ended up looking orange. 

But nevertheless, I absolutely love the look a self-tan can provide when applied properly, and in the right shade for my skin. 

Which is why I was super excited to see that Bondi Sands has launched a product matching quiz, with an option for redheads – I was stoked. 

With my colouring, it has been really difficult to find a self-tan which compliments my natural skin and hair tones. However, I found that the Technocolor Express Foam in Sapphire that I was matched with through the quiz was absolutely bang on. 

Within an hour, the tan gave me the perfect glow, without radically altering my natural look. And, not only did it look great, it worked so quickly.

I will no longer be lathering an overnight tan on and waiting hours for it to develop – instead I will be using the Bondi Sands Technocolor for a quick and natural glow. 

I am absolutely in love with this product.

Image: Supplied. 

Maddie, reviewing Caramel.

There used to be a time where I rarely missed my Thursday night tanning routine. The truth is, now I am pretty time poor, meaning my weekly tanning routine has fallen to the wayside. 

That was until I tried Bondi Sands new Technocolor range – and I’m obsessed. This new 1 hour express tan (yes, all it takes is one hour) has now become a staple in my self-care routine (hello fake tan, I’ve missed you). 

To avoid looking like a completely different shade, one day to the next –  the quick and easy quiz told me to try the Caramel tan colour. This product counteracts dryness and as a dry skin gal, this is already a win for me.

After my everything shower (IYKYK) – I glove up and get to work. The product is stunning and glides on so smoothly. It's also really easy to build up the colour. By the time I had finished tanning my first leg, I could already notice a difference in skin tone.

Image: Supplied. 

I hadn't even had the product on for an hour and I was already sure that it would be the most natural looking tanning product I’ve ever used. And, their secret? It works by enhancing your natural skin tone. 

After my hour is up, I rinse off and emerge from the steamy shower a new woman. 

I cannot get over how natural this tan looks, plus I don’t have that post-fake-tan smell or orange tint. 

One week of wearing this tan, and I can tell that I’ve stumbled upon the holy grail of tans. 

After one week I have no scaly legs or patches (dry skin girls will get me), so my advice to you all is run don’t walk to you nearest Chemist Warehouse.

Enhance your natural skin tone, with the Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam, now available at your local Chemist Warehouse. 

Feature Image: Supplied.