#asyana

I generally find the idea of self-tanning a terrifying concept. What if I apply too much solution? What if I don’t apply it evenly? What if I end up resembling an orange? Tanning is risky business, to say the least.

Admittedly, I have had a bottle of Asyana Natural Sunless Tan sitting in my bathroom cupboard for a few months now, having agonised over whether I should use it. Last week, I finally made what I consider an incredibly BRAVE decision to have a go at applying it to my porcelain, white skin. Why now, you might ask? Well, as the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures! I had an event to attend and the salon I planned on swinging by for a quick spray closed a bit earlier in the day than I anticipated! As the idea of looking like a white whale in a sequin dress panicked me more than the possibility of resembling a piece of citrus fruit, I decided to give self-tanning a go.

Asyana’s Natural Sunless Tan comes in an easy to use pump bottle with handy plastic gloves (to avoid staining hands and the appearance of having some sort of bizarre skin pigmentation condition).  After stripping off my clothes and pumping some of the glorious solution into my gloved-up hands, I proceeded to rub the cool, gooey substance in circular motions all over my body. My heart rate slightly elevated when I realised it was ‘going on’ green. I wasn’t exactly doing a pro job at applying it evenly either! By the time I finished, I was a true sight to behold – think ‘incredible hulk-esque’.

My mind was racing with thoughts as I realised that for the next 4-6 hours I would have to sit on a towel, on my couch, alone, in my apartment while waiting for the green solution to work its magic (and hopefully convert me from green vegetable / hulk figure into bronze goddess / beach babe).

After about 3-hours, I chickened out (fearing I might have permanently stained my skin spinach green) and washed off the tan. The result: pure relief in the form of a surprisingly even, light tan. Let’s just say I was happily floored. No permanent green skin and no streaks! Instead, my skin was lightly coated, and might I add positively glowing, in a pleasant, natural looking bronze colour. A week on and the tan has faded naturally, sans patchiness – hooray!

Another awesome thing about Asyana’s natural sunless tan is that it is free of nasty chemicals. Made with DHA, erythrulose and walnut extract, the tan is infused with hydrating and nourishing ingredients including aloe vera, green tea, grapeseed, chamomile, vitamin E and coconut oil.

But what is DHA and erythrulose you might ask? DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a non-toxic ingredient derived from sugar cane which reacts with the amino acids in the dead layer of the skin to form brown-coloured melaninoids. Erythrulose is a natural keto-sugar, which prevents the development of an irregular and streaky tan (say what?)! Containing these ingredients, it’s no wonder Asyana’s solution is the tanning equivalent of liquid gold!

I’ll definitely be using this tan again; leaving it on longer next time to achieve a deeper bronze colour!