This self-tanner REALLY works - even my boyfriend asked me if I'd gotten sun! It's easy to apply and dries pretty quickly. Just be careful washing it off, because it can get streaky (exfoliate).

I have used this tanner for years and love it! My teenage daughters remark at how natural it looks. Some people have posted that it is too dark. I find that if I want a lighter look, I simply use less tanner & mix it with moisture lotion and I get just the color I want. to those who say it doesn't last: it lasts very well for me. Tanner on my legs lasts several days. Tanner on my face doesn't last long because I wash my face more often and use exfoliants.

This is a great procuct. I am chemically sensitive so the no smell is wonderfull. Two coats every 4 or 5 days and it stays. Love the color.

This is by far the best sunless tanning product I have used. I don't know what other reviewers are talking about when they say it isn't aroma free - for me, I smell nothing (unlike other products I have used which absolutely stink!) There is much less streaking with this product, it looks more natural, and is easy to apply. One trick I have learned is to use a nail brush with soap around my cuticles after I apply it, and this helps prevent discoloration in the nailbed and cutile area.

Easy to apply and get results that are natural in color and lack of streakiness. I can put it on my face and it isn't too emollient for my oily skin. But it definitely is NOT fragrance free. Maybe there is no added fragrance, but this has the same nasty smell and sticky feeling after application that most self-tanners have. It definitely does NOT "dry fast"; it even says on the back to wait ONE HOUR before dressing, who has the time for that? This is OK, but still searching for my perfect one.

I was so excited to try this product after reading the reviews. I needed something that was going to add some color to my very fair skin, and look natural. The application was easy, it dried quickly, and smells great. However, the color is WAY too dark and also VERY orange. Maybe PC needs to create a product with a more build-able color, or something that is made for fair-pink based skin tones. Probably looks great for those who have more olive based skin colors. Won't be continuing use.

I am very conscious of sun exposure, but love to look than. That's where this product comes in. Very easy to apply, even for a fist timer and does not smell like most self tanners. Love that you get a decent amount for a fair price too! When I apply this over the weekend my co-workers think I went to the beach, they never believe me when I tell them the tan came from a bottle.

I have done a lot of research and tried a LOT of self tanners and this is far and away the best I've used especially at this price point. The gel is easy to apply and I've never had a problem with streaking. I have recommended this to several friends who are now converts as well. Thanks so much for a great product!

Here I am back for more. This is an excellent product with zero smell and NO orange look. Warm sun glow that out does anything on the market. I will reorder this again and again.

I have tried MANY and this is a keeper !!! Hope you never discontinue this winner Paula !!! great color, goes on even. Best to exfoliate in shower, then apply lotion lightly, then I apply this and let it dry as I blow dry my hair, makeup, etc..... OR I have applied in evening 1hr before bed... I use mostly for legs... Go easy - lite on knee area. Have nice color by next day ~ Thank you Paula & staff !!!

This tanning gel is the easiest to apply and delivers the best color of any similar products I've tried (and I've tried most of the popular ones.) I have super pale skin with pink undertones, and there was no orange color. It made me look like I had a tan that I had been working on for about two weeks or so after the first application.

I realized I never wrote a review for this product so I decided to since I hope voices are heard. I love Paula's products but not this one. I am a self tanner junkie and have tried practically everything on the market. From brands to textures to formulas. This made me orange/gold. unfortunately no good. So far though poor reviews from Paula and I must agree with her....St.tropez wins in terms of color. Ingredients not so good for sensitive. But the color is amazing. I think its the combo of dies they put in...but the color is literally brown/tan/bronze. Please make something similar...BUT GOOD FOR UR SKIN not without their harsh ingredients.... Thank you Customer Care Response: Thank you for your review. We will definitely pass along your feedback to Paula and her Product Development Team and will note your comments. We hope that in the future we can offer a self-tanner that meets your needs but until that time, please be sure to check out www.Beautypedia.com for other options. Please contact customer care with any questions or concerns.

This self-tanning gel is as good as a self-tanning gel can possibly be. I've tried them all and nothing compares. It has a very elegant consistency, goes on very smoothly, dries within seconds, does not streak, and has a tolerable smell for a self-tanning gel. As importantly, it is very very potent, produces as realistic of a color as possible with a self-tanning gel, and the color lasts for many days. I work out at the gym daily and it is the only self-tanning gel that I don't sweat out in a day or two. Given it's potency, it does takes some experimentation to figure out how often to apply it and how much to apply to areas that grab too much color, like ankles, knees and elbows. As with any self-tanning gel, applying too much or two often will result in orange color. Definitely follow the instructions. For example, I've learned that taking a long shower before application increases how much color the skin produces. Paula, please don't ever stop making this product!!!

I am thrilled with this self-tanner. Being a guy, I hate fragranced product and prouducts that are greasy. This one gives a fantastic colour to my fair skin and noone notices it comes from a bottle. I simply love it :)! Btw, there are a few customers here that say this product is difficult to spread or that it does not absorb easly. A word of advice: Less is more! Cheers

I'm beginning to think Paula screens her reviews and doesn't post the bad ones! This will be the third time I've tried to post about Almost the Real Thing Tanning Gel. It takes forever to dry. It smells bad. It streaks. It doesn't last until the next day. The color takes several hours to develop and be careful not to get it near your hairline of your face if you highlight your hair: it will dye your hair. Customer Care Response: Thank you for your review and feedback of this product. We will certainly share your concerns with Paula and her Product Development Manager. In the future if a review you have submitted is not posted, or replied to please contact customer care and we are happy to assist you. We also encourage you to check out www.Beautypedia.com for other brands of self-tanners. If you have any questions please let us know, we are happy to help.

I obtained some samples of the self-tan. It is quite orange on my skin and I don't like the smell. Paula says not to use St. Tropez, but that brand gives a nice natural color and smells good so I'll continue to use it or Jergens.

It pays to follow directions closely. The first time I used this product, I ended up with orange-y streaked legs. But I did like that it didn't have that overpowering smell like other tanners, so I gave it another shot. I had a Fall wedding and my daughter forbids me to wear pantyhose with sandals(even that sandal toe one). I did everything the label told me and did it gradually and voila! tan legs. I will use this product again.

I have used Jergens natural glow for years and get okay results. This year I tried Paula's and was so impressed. I had many people comment on my lovely tan. The colour was rich and real. When I ran out mid-summer, I reverted to my old Jergens and couldn't believe the marked different. The Jergens was paler and uneven, and didn't give me anywhere near the rich tone from Paula's. I just threw the Jergens out and reordered Paula's again. Well worth it.

I have fair asian skin that tends to burn then tan. I haven't had much sun this summer and my legs tend to be paler than my arms, so I normally self-tan my legs. Previously I was using Loreal Sublime Glow. It worked well, but I'm always left with that chemical smell that I don't enjoy. My previous self tanning holy grail (Neutrogena Sun Fresh lotion) is discontinued so I was on the hunt for a new product. I tried this tanning gel on a whim when it was 50% off. What an amazing product! Blends in really well and NO SMELL! I find that it does turn me orange if I use it too often, so I end up only applying once/week and it's the right amount of colour for me. I exfoliate and moisturize and apply the gel. For my feet, I apply a small amount with a cosmetic sponge that I can use to blend. This has resulted in a streak free application that looks very natural. Will definitely repurchase!

This is the first self tanner I've used, so I can't compare to others . . . But I LOVE it! Easy to apply by following directions, and it gave my legs a very realistic looking tan on my light to medium skin. I experienced no streaking or dark patches. This product is my best friend for wearing summer skirts and sandals! Bye, bye ugly white legs!

Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel lives up to its promises! I used it for the first time yesterday and was impressed. I am accustomed to using Jergens Natural Glow lotion and I found using a tinted gel to be a nice improvement over that. The gel has a nice silky feel that, even the next day, is still making my skin soft and silky to the touch. I also found applying a thin layer of gel all over my body to be easier than applying lotion evenly all over, especially with the nice tint. The color developed nicely - the few streaky areas are due to application error I am sure. I really appreciate that this self-tanner has only a mild odor - others have a much stronger oder than this one. My favorite thing about this product is that I feel that I can use it on my face without causing breakouts due to its light formulation and due to Paula's extra attention to creating products that are less likely to clog pores and irritate skin. Thank you to Paula and her team for creating another great product!

This is the first negative comment I have about Paula's products. I have olive and oily skin. Although this product is touted as not being orange it is ORANGE! The consistency is nice as well as its application. TROPEZ makes a dark self-tanner that has great color. It actually goes on green! However, you have to apply it at night (it really is green) wait until morning, then wash it off leaving behind a lovely smelling flawless color that lasts maybe 4 days!!! Way too much work!! Paula please develop a product like this. I saw it on a fair skinned red-headed woman before I bought it. It looked lovely on her as well.Sincerely,Maria Customer Care Response: Thank you for your comments. We are sorry to hear this product did not work for you and will be sure to share your feedback with Paula and her Product Development Manager. They do take customer feedback seriously. Because this did not work for you we will issue you an in house credit for the product. You can also check out www.beautypedia.com to search for other product brand reviews, such as the product you mentioned, to find other options that may work for you! Please contact customer care with any questions or concerns. We are happy to help.

My first negative review, The good stuff first. I like the consistency,it's smooth and if you work fast you can get a nice blend. The color is a negative for me. Way too orange, If I could have diluted it,or added something to tone it down abit I would have. I used it only once,and it sits in a drawer. Customer Care Response: Thank you for your comments. We are sorry to hear this did not work better for you! We will be sure to share your feedback with Paula and her Product Development Manager. They do take customer feedback seriously. In the meantime we will issue you an in house credit for this product. Please contact customer care with any questions or concerns. We are always happy to help!

DID NOT LIKE THIS SUNTAN CREAM..IT WAS NOT EASY TO APPLY AND LEFT MY LEGS STREAKY, ETC...I LIKE ALL OTHER PAULA'S CHOICE PRODUCTS...BUT NOT THIS..WISH I COULD RETURN IT!!! Customer Care Response: We're sorry this wasn't a fit for you; you are welcome to check out Paula's suggestions at Beautypedia to see if you find a self-tanner that works better for you. In the meantime we will leave an in house credit for the product on your account which may be used on a future phone order. Please contact customer care with any questions, we are happy to help.

I adore many of Paula's products and decided to try after reading so many positive reviews. Oh, was I disappointed. I have fair skin and have used many self tanners, so am very accustomed on how to use. Paula's version is too orange and streaks terribly even for someone who is a bit of a pro with self tanners. The product goes on heavy, not light where you can build up your color. If you have fair skin, I do not think this is a good choice. Customer Care Response: We're sorry this wasn't a fit for you, but you may consider checking Beautypedia for other self-tanner options. We have left the purchase price of this product on your account which you may use on a future phone order. We will note your experience and feedback with the product with our Product Development Manager. Please contact customer care with any questions.