little white truths

I bought these ages ago from Mecca after doing a Dr Dennis Gross event, whereby I had $50 to spend (redeemable on product after the facial), and since these cost $50 at the time and the other products I'd tested from the brand didn't strike me, I was happy enough to redeem my $50 on them. Plus I didn't have a dedicated facial tanner and these pads have great reviews on the Mecca website, so it seemed like a win-win situation.

While I do think they're quite good, I can't help but think that forking out $55 AUD (as they cost now) on 20 tanning towelettes isn't your best option. There's nothing hugely wrong with this product, but I really think you're better off spending your money elsewhere: I've tried beautiful facial tanning creams before that cost the same or less (eg have a look at what St Tropez has to offer), and those items are going to last you a lot longer than these will. More on all that below.

• An anti-ageing self tanner in the form of a single step pre-soaked towelette 
• Contains active vitamin d, microencapsulated DHA and soy proteins 
• Delivers the colour deep into skin to prevent fading through surface exfoliation
• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids exfoliate, tighten pores, eliminate blackheads and help fade existing sunspots for an even, streak-free glow
• Provides smoother, healthier skin and natural radiance year-round
• Odourless, streak-free application and long lasting customised colour
• Prepared and packaged for convenient and easy use
• RRP $55 AUD for 20 pads

Verdict

First, the good things. These do give you a nice, natural-looking tan and I've never had issues with streaky application or orange patches in the webbing of my hands. 

They're easy to use and aren't messy, and I do think they have at least a temporary pore-refining effect and they exfoliate the skin reasonably well. This means that your face does look smoother, radiant and more healthy after use, so those claims are true.

While that's all well and good, do I really want to spend $2.75 each time I use one of these pads on my face? Particularly because the tan only lasts a few days. I use them once a week to ration them, but I really need to use them twice-weekly to keep my tan at a visible level. 

This may be partly because I do exfoliate and use resurfacing products regularly, but if the tan these pads offer is meant to withstand that (as claimed), I don't think the product delivers on that front because my tan is all but gone by day three or four.

As for the other claims: I haven't noticed any anti-ageing benefits from using these; I haven't noticed any clarifying action or impact on blackheads; and I definitely haven't noticed any fading of sunspots. 

Perhaps if I used these twice-weekly I might notice more benefits, but I can't justify spending (in effect) over $5 per week on my facial tan. The packet would be gone within 10 weeks if I did this, and that strikes me as a little ridiculous - even for a beauty junkie who sends all her disposable income towards skincare and makeup.

In sum, I do think these meet at least some of their claims and they do have some benefits - including that they deliver a decent natural tan without the mess - but they're too expensive for what they are, and I definitely wouldn't buy them again.

Have you used these? Let me know what you think if so.