I am writing about the new(ish) Xen Tan Absolute Luxe, which costs $56 and was released in Summer 2010. Do not buy it.
I purchased directly from Xen Tan and applied with a Xen Tan mitt. The first tube I got was defective -- it had NO color guide whatsoever. I got so paranoid that I applied it unevenly, I washed it off and e-mailed Xen Tan. I will say, their customer service was great (at first). They said other customers had complained about the lack of color guide and that a new batch was coming in. They over-nighted me a new tube. Also, they sent me a new mitt, because their mitts are SO cheap, my fingernail went right through it the first time I used it.
Sadly, the new tube wasn't much better.
It had a wee bit of color guide, but it absorbed really fast so I couldn't see it. Pointless. Yes, it dries quickly (not a PRO in this case). You can't see where it's going and if you attempt to rub it in an area you're not sure you rubbed it in yet, you'll get flaking. Now mind you, I am not a self-tanning amateur. I know how to apply it. I even watched the Xen Tan videos for application tips.
The Xen Tan mitts are totally, utterly useless. Save your money. The cheap foam rubs the product off, not on -- and makes it congeal.
OK, now for results. In the words of my boyfriend, "Wow, your legs are really orange. And there is a streak right...." Yep. Snooki would turn her nose at this stuff. OK, I gave it one star because it doesn't smell like self-tanner, more like marshmallows. But it's so darn greasy. I itch just thinking about it. And, I broke out (which I NEVER do). Actually had to see the dermatologist -- and I think it's because I put this on my face.
So, if you choose not to listen to me, feel free to come back to this review for removal instructions. Soak in lemon juice and baking soda. Actually cut the lemon in half and rub it on your skin. Slather on the baking soda too.
Then, once you remove the mess, go buy St. Tropez Mousse and apply it with the St. Tropez Mitt. Or go buy Tan Towel. They both ROCK. Thankfully, I found them both after Xen Tan this summer and had a beautiful tan to show for it.