My Mission If I Choose To Accept It - Find The Perfect Self Tanner

Ok, here's the deal. I am 1/4 Irish and have the whitest skin in the world, almost bordering in being transparent. This genetic 'gift' of mine has meant that a tan has always been an unreacheable dream. Something I lust after whenever I see others with gorgeous glowing bronzed skin. Ten minutes in the sun for me without sun protection equals red sunburnt skin (plus a zillion more freckles). Awesome hey?

Well, I've now decided to properly start a search for a self tanner which works with my skintone, not against it. Previously I've half-heartedly tried self tanners here and there whenever they've been on special or I've just felt like trying (and failing) again. Now, I've made it my mission to find one that I can call my holy grail of self tanners.

My first product guinea pig is the Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Lotion.

I have had this sitting in my bathroom cupboard for quite a while as I bought some on a whim and never really bothered to use it properly. A couple of weeks ago I found it and decided to give it a proper go now the weather is getting warmer and have been applying it regularly ever since.

This tanner claims to give a hint of colour that builds a healthy glow with each application. It also claims to have a light, fresh scent and dries in 5 minutes.

This lotion is supposed to be applied as you would a daily moisturiser. For the first application I did it every night after my shower for about three days, then after that I've been just topping it up every second or third day and using a different moisturiser in between.

The verdict:
Unfortunately I don't like this product at all. I feel as if I've got jaundice as my skin seems to be an awful dark shade of yellow rather than what I would consider tanned.
On the plus side it's a nice, smooth consistency and very easy to apply without streaking, and being so light in tan colour it's almost impossible to go wrong with applying it and ending up with awful over-tanned areas which can happen very easily with some other tanning products. It's a lightweight white lotion which is surprisingly moisturing too once applied.
Another negative I have to report is the smell. The claims that it has a 'light, fresh scent' are not very valid with this lotion as far as my opinion goes. It's got a very heavy smell that I really dislike and it seems to permeate into everything such as my pj's, sheets, towels, etc. I can still smell it almost 24 hours later after applying and I find it very unpleasant. The smell actually makes me very self conscious when around other people and I've been applying extra moisturiser over the top after a couple of hours lately in an attempt to mask it. My husband has even commented on how strong it is when we go to bed!

So, I can now cross that one off my list as one that has failed and move on to the next. The quest continues.......

Does anyone have any suggestions for self-tanners I should try or ones I should particularly avoid? Is there anyone with transparent skin like me who has found the perfect product??