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Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter vs Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

These are different products for different jobs. The Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter is a full-body moisturizer that builds a light tan over several applications, so it suits someone who wants an easy all-over glow with shea and cocoa butter doing the hydrating. The Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops are a concentrated face serum you mix into your own moisturizer, giving finer control over shade on the face only. On build and body coverage Bali Body wins; on precision and facial use Tan-Luxe wins. Owners of gradual butters like Bali Body's tend to praise the moisture and complain about slow, uneven color on dry patches, while drop users like Tan-Luxe's praise the control and warn that a heavy hand turns orange.

  • Choose the Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter if you want one step for the whole body and prefer a moisturizer that tans gradually rather than a concentrated serum.
  • Choose the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops if you mainly want a controlled glow on your face and are happy to mix drops into your own moisturizer.

Prices

  • Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter: $33.00 at Ulta Beauty (checked today)
  • Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops: $34.61 at LOOKFANTASTIC (checked today)
  • Difference: the Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter is $1.61 cheaper than the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops today
Bali Body
Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter

Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter

$33.00at Ulta BeautyChecked 9 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Ulta Beauty

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • Covers the whole body in one step
  • Shea and cocoa butter keep skin soft
  • Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are useful additions
  • Vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologically tested
  • Gradual color is forgiving for beginners
Cons
  • Takes 2 to 3 applications for the deepest shade
  • Less precise control over final depth
  • Large tub is awkward for travel
  • Self-tan scent is noticeable
Tan-Luxe
Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops Light/Medium

Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops Light/Medium

$34.61at LOOKFANTASTICChecked 9 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit LOOKFANTASTIC

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • Drop count gives precise control of shade
  • Made for the face, so it suits delicate skin
  • Aloe vera and vitamin E are soothing

What separates them

Bali Body Gradual Tanning ButterTan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Body areaFull body, applied like a lotionFace only, mixed into moisturizer
Format220 g butter in a tub1.014 fl oz serum with a pipette
Shade controlBuilds over 2 to 3 applications; harder to fine-tuneDrop count sets the depth each time
MoistureShea and cocoa butter plus hyaluronic acid and vitamin EAloe vera and vitamin E; relies on your moisturizer
Time to resultFirst color in 6 to 8 hoursGlow develops within hours of mixing
ScentTypical DHA self-tan scentScented formula
Skin activesNiacinamide and hyaluronic acid includedNo niacinamide; aloe and vitamin E only
Vegan and cruelty-freeVegan and cruelty-freeNot stated as vegan

Price history

  • Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter: lowest $33.00 on Nov 10 at Ulta Beauty.
  • Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops: lowest $34.61 on Nov 10 at LOOKFANTASTIC.

Prices at every store

Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter

  • Ulta BeautyNew

    In stock

    $33.00+ $6.95 shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Ulta Beauty

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Prices and history →

Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

  • LOOKFANTASTICNew

    In stock

    $34.61Free shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit LOOKFANTASTIC
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $50.00Free shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Target
  • BluemercuryNew

    In stock

    $55.00+ $7.00 shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Bluemercury
  • SelfridgesNew

    In stock

    $43.50+ $35.00 shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Selfridges

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 6 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBali Body Gradual Tanning ButterTan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Size220g/7.48fl.oz—
Key ingredientsniacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E—
Moisturizing buttersShea and cocoa butter—
Tanning active100% natural DHA—
Formulated withoutParabens—
Vegan100% vegan—
Cruelty-freecruelty-free—
Dermatologically testeddermatologically tested—
Content—Vitamin E, Aloe Vera
Packaging—Pipette
Volume (fl oz)—1.014

What reviewers say

Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter

Reviewers generally appreciate the moisturizing feel and natural-looking glow, but some mention the need for several uses to build color and a slight tanning odor. Opinions are mixed on absorption speed.

What people mention
  • MoisturePraisedUsers love how hydrating it feels, thanks to shea and cocoa butters.
  • Tan developmentMixedSome find the gradual color subtle and buildable, while others wish it developed faster.
  • ScentCriticisedA few reviewers notice a typical self-tanner smell that lingers.
  • AbsorptionMixedOpinions vary: some say it sinks in quickly, others find it greasy at first.

Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Reviewers generally like the natural-looking, buildable color and the control the drops give. Complaints center on the scent and on how quickly the tan fades.

What people mention
  • ScentMixedSome users notice the typical self-tan smell; others find it mild once mixed into moisturizer.
  • ColorPraisedReviewers describe the result as a natural, believable glow rather than orange.
  • LongevityCriticisedSeveral say the color fades within a few days and needs regular topping up.
  • DosingPraisedThe pipette makes it easy to adjust how deep the tan goes.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a first self-tan?
The Bali Body butter. It builds gradually over 2 to 3 applications, so mistakes are less visible, and it moisturizes as it tans. The Tan-Luxe drops are better once you know how many drops suit your face.
Can I use the Tan-Luxe drops on my body?
They are formulated for the face. For the body, the Bali Body butter is the better fit because it is made to cover larger areas evenly.
Which gives a deeper tan?
The Bali Body butter reaches its deepest color after 2 to 3 applications. The Tan-Luxe drops can go darker in one go if you use more drops, but the result is limited to the face.
Which is more moisturizing?
Bali Body. Shea butter, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E are built into the formula. Tan-Luxe relies on aloe vera and vitamin E plus whatever moisturizer you mix it with.
Is one worth stepping up to?
If you already tan your body and want a controlled facial glow, the Tan-Luxe drops add something the butter cannot do. If you want one product for the whole body, the Bali Body butter covers more ground.
Do either suit sensitive skin?
Bali Body is dermatologically tested and paraben-free. Tan-Luxe is paraben-free and scented, so patch test first if fragrance bothers your skin.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best self tanners for a natural-looking tan
Small bottle fits a travel bag
  • Mixes into any moisturizer you already use
  • Cons
    • Face only, not for the body
    • Easy to overdo and turn orange
    • Small volume runs out fast with regular use
    • Results depend on how well you mix it