It feels like ages since I’ve reviewed a self tan and boy, have I something special to share with you today. I fake tan almost all year around and its rare that I’ve not got some on. My natural skin tone is fair to medium, but without a tan I can look a little green due to my Mum’s olive skin tones.

I think one of the biggest faux pas of fake tan is that it never seems to last and of course the ‘orange’ peel like consistency it leaves on your skin while it fades. Lets be honest, its not really a good look now is it? Today, I’m going to share with you Vita Liberata pHenomenal Tan Mousse in Dark which I was sent to review, this tan boasts some pretty big claims. Here’s what I found out using it…

Here’s a little information about pHenomenal and its claims….

The 2 – 3 week tan

Using a special combination of natural nourishing extracts and the unique pHenO2 technology, Vita Liberata has reinvented self tan. pHenomenal contains all the USPs of our other tanning products, but can last up to 4 times longer:*

• No streaking & No smells. 
• 100% free from parabens, perfume and alcohol. 
• Easy to apply. 
• Unique Pentavitin moisture lock complex. 
• 70% organic extracts that are kind to skin and produce a natural fade (eventually!)

So easy to apply: use a tanning mitt or latex gloves to protect palms of hands and apply to skin in sweeping movements. For extra long lasting 2 – 3 week results shower between 3 and 24 hours after first application and reapply.

To extend the life of your colour apply multiple layers of pHenomenal, i.e.:

1 application = approx 7 days
2 applications = approx 10+ days
3 applications = approx 2 – 3 weeks

*source*

pHenomenal Tan by Vita Liberata is available in 3 shades; light, medium and dark. My review is based on the dark lotion which I have now been using over 2 weeks. The general packaging for the pHenomenal Tan is a pump action bottle. Its an easily used product and the tan is dispensed in not too large amounts so there is minimal waste.

For the best application, I always apply all my tans whether lotion or mousse with a tanning mitt. These are inexpensive and can be bought in a wide range of shops. It also means you get a good even result. The pHenomenal Tan is a tinted mousse, so its fairly easy to see where you have applied the tan and where you haven’t.

Unlike many tans I have used pHenomenal Tan dries really quickly. I found that you had to work fairly fast with the mousse to get a good coverage. On a plus note, it means you can get dressed really quickly afterwards though. There is none of that ‘sticky’ feeling I’ve experienced with other tans, nor did I notice any transferring onto clothing (I would however, still ere on the side of caution with this and wear darker colours!!).

Another plus note, the tan has no fragrance that I can smell at all. In fact, my skin just smelt like – well me to be honest. This is great for those wanting to wear the tan out straight away while it develops – no tell tale ‘Weetabix’ smell! Also, when you wash the tan off there’s no scent then either, which I was really impressed with.

My review is based on the DARK lotion, this is the darkest one they do. I’ll be honest and say with my natural tan from the Summer if I had chosen anything lighter it wouldn’t really have shown up. Here are the photos of before, with the tan developing and after the tan has been rinsed;

My starting tan shade, I have no fake tan on whatsoever – just from the sun

This is a shot with pHenomenal Tan developing. As you can see it looks really natural, in fact you can’t tell at all I’m wearing a fake tan – no streaks, lines or fragrance

After 1 application of pHenomenal Tan (After rinsing it off)

The colour result is really natural and dark. It doesn’t look orange as you can see and gives a nice warm brown tan. This is probably the most natural looking dark tan I have ever used. I was extremely impressed with the result. I did decided to prolong my tan, so I reapplied the following day (Within 24 hours of the first application as recommended). I was a little worried that the tan would get even darker like many tans do. Instead, I was the same shade (Maybe a little deeper) which was good as this is fairly dark!

I didn’t do a third application and have instead gone about my showering and exfoliating routines as normal. Technically according to the data from pHenomenal Tan my tan should last about 10+ days. Well, on Friday my Tan was on day 14 and was just starting to fade gradually. To the ‘average Joe’ you wouldn’t know it was fading. There was NO VISIBLE signs like the usual orange peel look, the bits where the tan disappears and you are left streaky – nope my skin just looked normal but paler. To say I was IMPRESSED was an understatement!

I reapplied the tan again on Friday and then did the same thing Saturday again. For a tan to last 14 days I think its, well phenomenal!

Another thing I’d like to mention with this tan is how soft and moisturised my skin felt afterwards. I find after most self tans my skin feels soft, but after pHenomenal Tan my skin felt really moisturised and looked healthy too.

So, to summarise… Do I think pHenomenal Tan lives up to its claims?

100% yes! I can honesty say I’ve never used a tan that lasts as well as this one does, that is even (Even on legs, knees and ankles!!), streak free and doesn’t have that nasty ‘fake tan’ smell about it.

I think the only thing I can poke at about Vita Liberata pHenomenal Tan is the price. It is £37.50 for 125ml which is more expensive than other self tans on the market. However, this one does last (Without a doubt) much longer than the higher end products I’ve tried. I also think its one of the few which are Paraben, Perfume and Alcohol Free – so much better for your skin! If I had to choose between a tan that lasts as long as Vita Liberata pHenomenal Tan or a tan that I have to repeatedly apply and fades badly which is cheaper, I think its a no brainer that I’ll pay the extra money and use pHenomenal Tan.

This is my new favourite tan, I think its going to be hard for me to find another one to replace it when the results speak for themselves!

The pHenomenal Tanning Mousse 125ml £37.50 with free Mitt is available now from Debenhams stores nationwide, Boots stores nationwide and Boots.com, House of Fraser and Gordons Chemists.

For more information on Vita Liberata why not check out their Website, Facebook or Twitter?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx