Ad – In partnership with Bondi Sands
If you’re looking for a self-tanning routine that’s low maintenance, clean and sustainable you’re going to get on very well with the Pure self-tanning range by Bondi Sands.
Using ethically sourced, 100% recyclable packaging, Pure combines the iconic glow-giving Bondi Sands formula with a sustainable approach to self-tanning. Packed with skin-loving Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, Vitamin C for radiance and Vitamin E for repair, every ingredient has its purpose.
Whether you’re looking for a lightweight quick-drying foam with no wash off required, facial tanning drops for an effortless and customisable application with your favourite moisturiser or a face mist for those on-the-go moments when you want to give your complexion a glow boost, the Pure range offers a line of products created to slot seamlessly into your self-tanning routine.
Fragrance, dye and sulphate free and packaged responsibly, it’s their most planet-conscious range, yet. Ideal for anyone looking for a sustainable alternative to add into their beauty routine without compromising their tan. Sunless tanning just got pure, clean & simple.
With the classic British summertime forever keeping us on our toes, now’s the perfect time to lock in your reliable self-tanning products to ensure you’re looking and feeling your best-bronzed self in time for those carefree summer nights.
The Pure range was calling out for its very own entry in our ‘We Tried’ series and not ones to pass up the opportunity to trial a cult beauty product, we were buzzing to slip into our mitts for the evening and put Bondi Sands’ most innovative self-tanning range to date to the test.
Keep on scrolling to read our team reviews and rate our before and after photos, because let’s be real, a good tanning product is best judged by a side-by-side glow up.
The Bondi Sands Pure Collection is available at Superdrug and Cult Beauty.
Lareese says…
It’s been a very long time since I self-tanned my entire body and as a naturally pale gal, I wouldn’t usually trust myself with applying it evenly. If ever I want a sun-kissed look for a special occasion, I would usually leave it to the professionals and book myself in for a spray tan to save myself the faff but obviously over the past 18 months that hasn’t been possible. Admittedly, I’m a bit rusty when it comes to self-tanning but trying out the Bondi Sands Pure range whilst I had a weekend of no plans allowed me to perfect my routine with confidence, without the added pressure of having to get it right the first time for a pal’s wedding or a night out.
One of the things I used to dislike about the self-tanning process was the sticky night’s sleep but I’m pleased to report the Pure Self Tan Foaming Water is so quick drying I was able to nod off without so much as a sweaty elbow.Lareese
I tried the Pure Self Tan Foaming Water in Light/Medium as I’m more into a subtle natural glow and the Pure Self-Tanning Face Mist because I’m a sucker for a hydrating spritz. I used the Coconut and Sea Salt Body Scrub the night before (which smells heavenly by the way), followed by the Body Moisturiser so I was softer than I’ve been for years and all ready to apply a fresh layer of tan the next day. The Pure Self Tan Foaming Water is a transparent formula that applies effortlessly and dries in record time. One of the things I used to dislike about the self-tanning process was the sticky night’s sleep but I’m pleased to report the Pure Self Tan Foaming Water is so quick drying I was able to nod off without so much as a sweaty elbow. I’m really impressed. It took about 3 minutes to dry so I could climb into my PJs straight after applying it. What a game-changer!
Another thing I’d say about the Pure range is that it’s as convenient as self-tanning can get. Not only does it dry in a matter of seconds leaving no tackiness behind, there’s no need to wash it off after the developing time and it doesn’t leave any marks on your bedding. I had white sheets and there was no trace of tan in the morning. I basically took a magnifying glass to my duvet to hunt for some evidence of my starfish outline but no, nada. Huzzah – a low maintenance self-tanning routine does exist, even for those of us who are basically self-tan virgins. It me. The Pure Self-Tanning Face Mist was also a joy to use – particularly convenient for a quick burst of hydration and glow that again doesn’t feel sticky or tacky on the skin. I did a triple misting and woke up with a lovely bronze even glow the next day. For anyone who wants to top up their face tan in between their weekly full-body tanning ritual, this is a great product for quick and easy application.
The Pure range really is setting a precedent for a future of planet-conscious self-tanningLareese
I’m so glad sustainability and product recyclability are at the forefront of everything they do as a brand. The Pure range really is setting a precedent for a future of planet-conscious self-tanning and enabling us as consumers to continue using the beauty products we love whilst minimising our impact on the environment. I think making simple beauty swaps like this can make a huge difference to our carbon footprints and pave the way for more responsible choices.
I think testing the Pure range has opened a whole can of worms and I can see myself making self-tanning a weekly ritual again now, especially since it looks like summer is still on furlough until 2022 and any hopes of getting a natural tan are pretty much trashed. I had actively avoided self-tanning for years because it was always such a faff but this range is formulated with laid-back self-tanners like me in mind. It’s convenient, sustainable and it works – what more could you ask for? Bravo Bondi Sands, bravo. You’ve got a new self-tan evangelist in me.
Charlotte says…
If there was an award for extreme tan newbie in this world then the title would absolutely go to me. Having never dared self-tan before (through pure lack of knowledge on where to even start) I was what you could say a little nervous before starting the tanning process for fears of turning out like Georgia in that scene of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. I’ve also just never really been that drawn to tanning, even in the way of catching some rays IRL, I’m naturally more likely to be sat in the shade and to be honest, have never had a problem with the tone of my skin. I know so many people feel more confident and happy when looking like a bronzed goddess but I’ve personally never felt too conscious of my skin tone. Having said that I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about and if I could become a tan convert!
I followed the Bondi Sands instructions to the letter, and along with some expert advice from our resident tan queen Darcey, I felt pretty sure I was on the right track when it came to the application process. To be honest, I’m normally pretty lazy when it comes to skincare on my body, but taking the time to exfoliate and moisturise the night before was a welcome treat- the Coconut & Sea Salt Body Scrub, in particular, has become a regular in my routine now. I decided to opt for the Light/Medium shade in the Pure Self Tan Foaming Water because as I said I’m really not used to seeing my skin looking anything other than Casper white and on reflection I definitely think this was most suited to my complexion/features. I applied the tanning water at night and found it a little difficult to see where I had and hadn’t covered, so I think if possible next time I’d try and apply using natural light. Despite my probably questionable application, I woke up SO pleasantly surprised as the tan was even and not at all patchy which felt like such a win as a self-tan virgin.
The results the following day were perfectly matched to my body which was a really welcome surprise, and in general, I was super happy with the colour! Charlotte
I used the Bondi Sands Sleep Mask on my face that same evening and really enjoyed the consistency of the product and how quickly it sank into the skin too. The results the following day were perfectly matched to my body which was a really welcome surprise, and in general, I was super happy with the colour! I did miss a few spots around my hairline and I think in future I’d make a point of being less slapdash when it comes to tanning my face, but it was nothing an extra bit of bronzer and some practice with my application couldn’t fix.
It took me a little while to get used to catching myself in the mirror looking so brown, mainly because it’s been such a long winter and I am at peak paleness right now, but as the days went on I found myself liking it more and more. I was worried that tanning would feel really high maintenance and that having to keep topping up with moisturiser etc would be a bit of a drag, but I’ll be honest in saying I was v lazy on that front and the tan remained perfectly intact and I didn’t notice any dry patches of skin whatsoever. I also had no idea where to start when it came to removing the tan but I was pleasantly surprised to find it faded super naturally and really didn’t need much aftercare whatsoever.
Big wins for me were how quickly the product sunk into the skin, the fact there were no traces of tan in my bedsheets (one of my big concerns!) and also how naturally the product faded along with my normal shower and washing routine. Let’s just say I’m converted!
Darcey says…
I have been self-tanning basically every week for the past 5 years, so I would absolutely consider myself an expert now when it comes to the tanning world. I’ve tried quite a few brands throughout the years, but I always go back to Bondi Sands as I find the application is best, it’s a reasonable price range and also the colour is very natural and sun-kissed which I think is really important for any self-tan.
I thoroughly enjoy my weekly exfoliating, showering and moisturising routine now. I usually do a hair and face mask at the same time and have a proper pamper sesh every week, very good for the mind and soul! Exfoliating and keeping your skin moisturised is soooo important when using self-tan, as tan just sticks to dry skin and that’s when you get really dark hands, elbows, etc (definitely had this happen a few time to me ha). So I usually tan using Bondi Sands One Hour Express or their Liquid Gold Gradual Tan, mainly because I hate sleeping with tan on at night and getting it all over my sheets. So I was pretty excited to try the new Pure self-tan knowing that I can whack it on and go to bed without worrying about it getting on my white sheets. I never use gradual tan in the day really especially in this heat as I think I would just sweat it off. I also liked the idea of this tan as it develops in 6 hours whereas most non-wash off tans take about 8 hours.
I absolutely love how sun-kissed this tan makes me look. I am super pale naturally and being tanned makes me feel confident as I don’t tan naturally either, I just burn! Darcey
I used the Dark shade in the Pure Self Tan Foaming Water and the application was super easy. I found for best results squirting a couple of pumps on the area you are tanning then rubbing it in worked well. Especially with a clear tanning foam, you are more at risk of missing places, so I focused on small areas like my calves first, then my thighs, then the leftover product on my knees and feet. One thing I will say is the tanning water can sometimes go down the bottle if you aren’t careful, it’s so easy to miss because it is clear, so I did find when I first tried this tan my palms came out super tanned, but knowing this for my second application I just made sure I didn’t leave any foam at the top of the bottle which could then run down the side.
I absolutely love how sun-kissed this tan makes me look. I am super pale naturally and being tanned makes me feel confident as I don’t tan naturally either, I just burn! I used the Pure Self-Tanning Drops on my face too and throughout the week to keep my face tanned as my skincare usually strips the tan pretty quick. The tans blend beautifully mixed with moisturiser I was super impressed. I also love that this tan doesn’t have a really strong scent, to be honest none of Bondi Sands tans have a strong smell but that’s something I really like about them too!
This tan is great for someone like me who hates sleeping in tan and stinking of it for days after too.Darcey
The tan for me lasted really well, around 5-6 days before it started to come off on the feet and under my watch etc. But for me, that is perfect as it means it can then easily be scrubbed off to apply again! I’ll absolutely be buying the Pure Self Tan Foaming Water again and the Self Tanning Drops or Face Mist for keeping my face topped up. This tan is great for someone like me who hates sleeping in tan and stinking of it for days after too, worth trying it out for sure if you were looking for a new self-tan or wanted to give it a go for hot girl Summer!
Danielle says…
I was super stoked to try the new Bondi Sands Pure range, I loved the idea of a self-tanning product that is fragrance, dye and sulphate free! To give you a bit of background on my tanning CV, I’m naturally fair but I catch the sun very quickly without really trying, which sounds great but it often leaves me with an uneven tan and random tan lines. My legs especially from the knee down are SO hard to tan so if I can get those to the same colour as my arms and upper body using self-tan I’ll be very pleased. I HATE having my face in the sun and my skincare pretty much zaps any colour I do manage to gain naturally so I’ve been using a facial mist to tan my face in the summer months and that’s about the extent of my self-tan usage.
My self-tan goals for the Bondi Sands Pure range are to even out my existing upper-body tan, find something to give me a consistent glowy facial tan, and finally get super bronzed legs I feel confident showing off! To achieve this I concentrated on using the Self Tanning Face Mist and the Self Tan Foaming Water in shade dark. I made sure to shave and exfoliate the night before tanning as well as moisturise. When it came to doing the deed I stripped off in my bathroom popped on the Mitt and started with the Self Tan Foaming Water from my feet up to the top of each leg, some of the areas I was concerned about were my feet, knees and also hard to see/reach areas so I took my time and worked the product in using lots of circular motion all over my legs, then used the excess from the Mitt on my knees and feet. I couldn’t believe how quickly the product felt like it dried down which is such a relief knowing I was about to get into bed!
I couldn’t believe how quickly the product felt like it dried down which is such a relief knowing I was about to get into bed!Danielle
I used the same kind of technique for my upper body, working the product in and going easy over my elbows and wrists. When it came to my hands I very lightly used the excess from my mitt on the tops of my hands, something I was very careful with was getting product on the palms of my hands as this is such a giveaway when it comes to self-tan faux pas! A lot of cream-based self-tan products cause me to break out, but the Pure Face Self Tanning Mist is suitable for sensitive skin & doesn’t block pores.
I’m an absolute lazy gal when it comes to a lot of beauty rituals and scoffed at how much work topping up your tan would be every week but after doing it, I couldn’t believe how easy it was. As soon as I felt relatively dry I went to bed and lay on top of my duvet watching a tv show for a little bit as even though I wasn’t worried about the tan transferring to my sheets I thought it might go streaky or patchy if I immediately put my pyjamas on and got into bed, I also applied it during the Great British summer which lasted approximately 4 days (classic) and lying on your bed with the windows open naked is basically a rite of passage.
When I woke up the following morning I couldn’t believe how beautiful the results were. Danielle
When I woke up the following morning I couldn’t believe how beautiful the results were. It was such a lovely colour and SO even. I could see a couple of places that I could have been more confident with the tan like round the sides of my feet, so I just grabbed my mitt and used the light/medium shade of the Self Tan Foaming Water and after a few hours they were perfectly blended. I really enjoyed the whole experience of self-tanning and how it turned out, it also got me into the habit of exfoliating and moisturising my whole body more often and my skin has been glowing!
The tan faded naturally and didn’t go patchy as it was coming off which I was super happy about, I carried on exfoliating lightly and moisturising in the days following and my skin continued to look great. Next time I’m going to use the gradual tanning lotion every other day following application and I think I’ll have a perfect tan for longer. I’m so glad this review pushed me to give self-tan a real go as it’s definitely something I’ll use more often, especially for events during the summer.
Holly says…
I’m quite lazy with my beauty routine so never really tried self-tan, even though I feel so much more confident when I’m a bit bronzed. In my head it was just so much effort, having to shave, exfoliate, moisturise and don’t get me started with the hassle of making sure my back is even. But I am pleased to let you know that I was wrong. The whole process is actually a lot easier than I thought. And I’ve learnt something new about myself in that I can reach the whole of my back woohoo.
To make sure I did it all right, I followed the Bondi Sands instructions to the letter. I exfoliated with their Coconut & Sea Salt Body Scrub first which works best if the skin is wet before applying. My skin was silky smooth when I got out of the shower, I then used the Body Moisturiser and 24 hours later I cracked on with the self-tanning.
I used the Self Tanning Drops in my moisturiser to tackle my face and if I do say so myself, my skin looks incredible.Holly
I had quite a natural tan from the weekend, but I go very patchy, so was hoping to even out a bit and diminish the tan lines I had. I self-tanned just before bed and used the dark shade in the Self Tan Foaming Water so was very worried that it would transfer to my bedsheets. As recommended, I applied it directly onto my body and blended with my mitt. It blended in with my skin really easily so I was scared I hadn’t got it everywhere and would be all patchy but by gosh I woke up a tanned goddess. Everywhere was even, there was no tan on my bedsheets and there wasn’t any overpowering smell. One happy tanned goddess.
I used the Self Tanning Drops in my moisturiser to tackle my face and if I do say so myself, my skin looks incredible. It’s such an even tone I haven’t even been wearing foundation. I’ve put drops in my moisturiser that I use every day and I’m actually chuffed. Just have to remember to blend it down to my neck so my face matches my body.
10/10 from me. It really helped even out my natural tan but didn’t look like self-tan at all. I’ll be using the Light/Medium shade in the winter months so that people can’t tell that it’s fake. Would definitely recommend it.
The Bondi Sands Pure Collection is available at Superdrug and Cult Beauty.
Ad – In partnership with Bondi Sands
