St. Ives Healthy Brilliance Renew & Glow is one of the newer entries to the gradual self-tanner market (seems like every brand is coming out with one these days!).

I was initially skeptical of all the marketing gobbledygook and product claims ("age-defying anti-oxidant complex of grape seed, olive and green tea extracts that fights free radicals that damage skin at cellular levels and cause premature aging"...come on! Just say it's a tanner and be done with it!), but I actually really like this product.

The texture is quite different from most of its competitors; it has silicone in it, so it retains a nice, soft feeling on your skin without greasiness. Drying time is average, but if you get dressed too quickly your clothes might feel a little gooey.

The scent is delicious; my nose might be totally off-base but to me it has this lovely watery-floral scent...maybe lotus? It's innocuous and light enough not to interfere with your fragrance, but still noticeable.

However, what you gain in scent you lose in potency. Part of the reason your nose doesn't detect too much DHA is because (I think) there's not much in there. I tried Healthy Brilliance in Light/Medium and after a week of use I had a nice, light, even tan, but nothing near as deep as what a product like Saint Tropez delivers. If you're on the hunt for a natural-looking, even glow without the reek, this is an excellent option.

As for the skincare benefits, I must say that after a week of use my skin felt incredible. Healthy Brilliance performs better than many of its "regular" body lotion competitors on the drugstore shelves. I'd keep using it just for that, nevermind the tan!

Fake Bake Month Official Rating

Scent: 4
Color: 3
Texture: 4
Drying Time: 3
Neatness: 4
Bonus Points: 3 (because it really outperforms as a body lotion!)

Total Rating: 21/30