Image via MakeupAlley
I don't know about you, but over the past two months I have noticed my nice Summer "glow" fading away after each shower. It's something I dread each year when the leaves fall, and the air begins to sting your skin. For as long as I can remember, I have been using self-tanner in one form or another. I have tried sprays, lotions, wipes... you name it!
In the current age of technology and social media, I have become a huge fan of TikTok. Yes, I am a member of the "older generation" of TikTokers, AKA "90's babies," as a viral TikTok video states. I'm not so much interested in the dancing videos, but could get lost in building and design videos, travel videos, funny videos, life hacks, and of course product reviews. I also won't admit to you how many hours I have spent watching #exscientologist TikToks.
During one of my late-night TikTok binge sessions, I came across the Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops. At the time I wasn't thinking it was something I would end up buying, so I don't remember who posted the original review I watched, but as I saw more and more girls raving about it I decided I had to try it. Of course, in standard "Paige fashion," I am not going to pay full price for a product like this, especially with that hefty $29 price tag at Sephora. I ended up finding it on eBay (my favorite place to shop), for $16. For those of you who are not eBay veterans, keep in mind that buying products like this at such a steep discount on eBay is usually the result of an item being returned. The item may be in new condition but the packaging will most likely be damaged (if included at all), and the seal will likely be broken. In short, there is a chance the product may have been used/tested prior. If you're someone who can't get past that, then ordering products from eBay may not be for you, unless they are clearly labeled as brand new condition with packaging in tact. At that rate, you will likely be paying full price or close to it. Either way, a deal is a deal!
Image by Meagan Brandon via Meagan's Moda
So, I ordered a full size product from eBay for $16. I went with the green body for "medium," because I still have a little glow left from using Bondi Sands, and wanted to build off of that. The box was damaged, the seal was gone, and it looked as though only a few drops were missing from the bottle; Not a huge deal to me. The directions on the bottle say to mix 1-12 drops with your daily moisturizer and apply to skin, making sure to wash your hands after. I opted for all 12 drops because why not? Go big or go home, right?!
My initial reaction was that it was incredibly easy to apply, especially since no one on TikTok had seemed to be too concerned with applying their moisturizer any particular way in order to avoid streaking. I massaged the mixture into my freshly exfoliated, cleaned, and dried skin from head to toe, washed my hands, waited for my skin to be dry to the touch, and then got dressed. What I can say is that I am not nearly as thrilled wit the product as many TikTokers are. It quickly developed that self-tanner smell that I'm sure most of us are familiar with. I personally don't mind the smell, but it was much stronger than what I am used to and it made me a little self-conscious. Throughout the day I noticed that at my wrist where my Apple Watch sits, it was extremely splotchy, and that my hands were still pretty pale compared to my arms.... and it only gets worse from there!
When I woke up the next morning I looked like I had rolled in dirt. Everything on me was really splotchy. I took a loofa to my skin in the shower in an attempt to buff some of it out, but the patches were still extremely visible. Luckily, it's sweater season and I can hide the splotchy patches with long sleeves and scarves. This is something I have struggled with with every self-tanner I have ever tried. I think it may be because I get so hot when I sleep that I sweat and the product transfers. I haven't written a review on Bondi Sands yet, but I have always experienced minimal splotches with their products.
I will definitely try the Isle of Paradise drops again (with maybe half the amount of drops this time LOL) because there are aspects of it that I do like. I love how easy application is. I love that you can customize your tan with the number of drops. I love the way it makes my face and neck look by evening skin tone and adding glow.
Have you ever tried the Isle of Paradise drops? Do you have any other self tanner products that you think I should try? Let me know on Instagram, Facebook, or send me an email at whilethecatnaps@yahoo.com!
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