Tried and tested... Green People Organic Formula Self Tan Lotion

My name is Alexia and I am naturally pale... there I said it. And not that lovely Rachel Weisz pale... more the pallor seen in the poultry aisle at Sainsbury's. I've never had much luck with fake tans, mostly -- I am sure -- because I have never really read the instructions properly... nor taken the time to prep the most difficult skin tone to fake tan. So the hunt has begun in earnest to find, and properly use, a fake tan that makes me look more Eva Mendes than Bernard Matthews.

The first candidate is Green People 88.57% Organic Formula Self Tan Lotion (certified by the Non-Food Certification Co.). It contains Rosehip, Geranium and Sandalwood with an Aloe Vera and Olive Oil base. It's not tested on animals, is recycleable and 30p of every one sold goes to Penny Brohn Cancer Care (200 ml, £14.99).

Now that your conscience can exhale, lets get down to business.

Lex sans fake tan

Lex with fake tan

It's a light, non-greasy cream in a pump dispenser. The Sandalwood and Geranium dominate the scent in a pleasing move away from the cloyingly sweet, DHA-masking scent usually used. Annoyingly, the product doesn't come with gloves so I pinch some from the Fake Bake box that I have lined up for the next test. The cream goes on easily, sinking quickly into the skin, so no walking around the house like something from The Dawn of the Dead whilst it dries.

Lex's leg sans fake tan

Lex's legs with fake tan

It says it take 2 to 3 hours for a tan to develop, but I find it takes 5ish before I see the final result. I find the colour works better on my body than my face, which goes a bit wag-like, but the fact that it actually made me smell really nice is a bonus I don't expect.

Overall we give it a 7/10. It smells good and it works, even on pale skin. And it has an easy-to-apply texture but could do with a set of gloves and an easy hand when applied to the face.

www.greenpeople.co.uk