Grace & Stella Bronze Doll Review

October 07, 2016

Grace & Stella Bronze Doll Review

Towards the end of August, I mentioned that I finally gave in and started using self-tanner. I did a lot of research and loved the one that I had tried, the St. Moriz Dark Tanning Mousse. I was loving the fact that I could get a tan in the comfort of my own air-conditioned home while still being able to do my work. I was so curious about all the other options and how different methods compared to one another. So when Grace & Stella reached out to me, I was more than excited to try their Bronze Doll Self-Tanning Spray. I couldn’t find many reviews about it or any detailed descriptions, so I didn’t really know what to expect. After testing it thoroughly from beginning to end, I’m ready to share with you all the details (with pictures) to hopefully give you a better understanding of this product.

The Bronze Doll Self-Tanning Spray is different than the St. Moriz tanner that I have previously talked about because this one is an actual spray (like hairspray) that you can either spray onto your body and then rub it in with the glove or spray directly onto the glove and buff it in that way. I tried both and while you’ll get the same tan with either method, I still preferred to spray it directly on the glove.

This set is listed for $34.95 on the Grace & Stella website, but they were nice enough to give my followers a 20% off discount code. Use the code “CHIC20” during checkout to receive 20% off of anything you order, making this self-tanner only $27. They also have skincare, mascara, teeth whitening, and much more. This self-tanner is a 4 oz bottle and claims to be 100% streak free when applied with their tanning mitt.

Having only used one tanning mitt previously (the St. Tropez mitt), I was happy to see that this one was a little smaller so it fit my hand better without sliding around everywhere and it also had a much softer, almost velvet-like texture. The picture below is without any self-tanner on at all. I also hadn’t been out in the sun very much, so I’m starting with very pale skin.

This next picture is what it looks like after two layers of the self-tanner is applied and still sitting on the skin to develop. There’s an obvious difference from the before picture and I’m very happy to see that it doesn’t have any green or unnatural tones to it, so you’d still be able to leave the house if needed. The best part about it is that it only has to develop for four hours and it smells like coconuts!

After it has developed for the entire four hours, you can wash it off. I did notice that a lot of it came off and left me much lighter than I thought it would while it was processing, although there is a noticeable difference from before. What I would do differently next time is to leave it on longer in hopes that it would develop more. The St. Moriz tanner says it develops in six hours, but I leave it on for eight. So maybe the Bronze Doll needs to be left on for two extra hours as well to hopefully give a darker tan.

Below is a side-by-side before and after picture of the results. Again, there is a noticeable difference but not exactly what I was hoping for. I want to be close to three shades darker after using a self-tanner and this looks more like one, maybe two shades darker. I think this would be a good self-tanner if you’re extremely pale and don’t want much of a difference so that it still looks very natural.

I would say it lasted about a week or so before I noticed it almost completely gone and for the most part, it did wear off evenly. I only noticed a few places looking a little patchy and dry (especially my elbows) but that could have easily been an area that I didn’t focus much lotion on after showers, swimming, etc.

The Grace & Stella Bronze Doll Self-Tanning Spray didn’t give me the exact results that I like to see when I’m using a self-tanner, but I can see how it would be great for certain people. I think you’d really like this if you’re only looking for a little difference in your tan or if you’re a beginner. I had zero splotchy spots in the typical areas, such as my hands, wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, and neck. It was easy to blend in and didn’t have a very tacky texture as it developed.

If you have any other questions about this self-tanner, please leave them for me in the comments. I’d also love to know what you love the most about self-tanning and which one is your favorite! Have a beautiful weekend!