Inspired by Australia’s most iconic beach, Bondi Sands captures the Australian lifestyle of the sand, sea, and sun with salon-quality formulas that make the ultimate tan accessible to everyone. Hydrating and nourishing, these self-tanning, suncare, skincare, and body products create an even, long-lasting, naturally golden glow.
Building Bondi Sands
Bondi Sands was launched by co-founders Blair James and Shaun Wilson in 2012.
In 2006, James ran a tanning bed salon in Melbourne, Australia, until the Victorian State Government banned them in 2008. He had seen the writing on the wall, however, and had already started offering spray tans; up to 150 a day. When he had more customers than time, James offered at-home alternatives, but customers had issues with the substandard products, whether they were short-lasting, smelled terrible, or didn’t create a natural-looking finish.
By 2009, James and Wilson—a frequent customer and quick friend of James—started researching and developing their own line of self-tanning products to give a sun-kissed Australian glow without damage to anyone in the world, and at an affordable price. Thus, Bondi Sands was born.
The first three products were launched in Australia in 2012, then expanded to New Zealand in 2013. By 2015, Bondi Sands became the top-selling tanning line in Australia. In 2018, the brand was sold in 10 countries at more than 10,000 outlets, and Vogue Australia stated that “close to six out of 10 people in Australia who buy self tanning products buy Bondi Sands.”
Today, Bondi Sands is a best-selling brand in Australia, the US, the UK, and more.
Sustainable Suncare
As an Australian-made and owned company, Bondi Sands has a high commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Not only are they entirely cruelty-free, primarily vegan, and reef friendly, but the brand is also making ecological efforts in its packaging and social initiatives.
James stated, “As Bondi Sands grows, so does our responsibility to our environment… Sustainability has, and continues to be a major driver for the future of our brand.”
Bondi Sands is a reef-friendly brand. Although the term “Reef Friendly” is not defined or regulated by the FDA, Hawaii currently regulates two chemical ingredients found in sunscreens that are believed to cause coral bleaching: oxybenzone and octinoxate. As a reef-friendly brand, Bondi ensures all its suncare is formulated in compliance with Hawaii’s regulations and is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
This is also a PETA-certified and approved brand. Although animal testing was never condoned at Bondi Sands, the brand has verified that neither it, nor its suppliers, conduct, commission, or pay for any testing on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products. Additionally, all its products are vegan friendly, apart from the suncare products, which contain naturally derived beeswax.
Most of Bondi Sands’ packaging is already recyclable, but the brand also pledged in 2021 to have 100% recyclable packaging by 2025, as well as incorporating less virgin plastic and more recycled materials into its packaging. Bondi Sands is also reducing its carbon footprint in partnership with its tube manufacturer, Impact International, as a part of a world-first sustainable packaging project. A portion of a 20,000-tree forest was purchased by Bondi, and it is home to endangered and vulnerable animal species and native vegetation that will be preserved or rehabilitated through this project.
Bondi Sands also partnered with the non-profit Take 3 for the Sea with a $25,000 donation to further support their efforts in educating communities on the impact of plastic pollution. Take 3 for the Sea promotes simple actions: take three pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway, or anywhere in nature, and you have made a difference.
In 2020, Bondi Sands also donated more than $100,000 and launched its Reuse to Rebuild campaign in the wake of the Australian bushfires. With special reusable Frank Green ceramic cups and bottles created to assist those affected, this campaign raises money for the months and years it will take for victims to recover, long after the fires have been put out, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Cross to support community recovery across Australia.
Best Sellers and Award Winners
While many other tanning brands’ formulas are based on an orange/yellow dye using lower quality ingredients, which can result in an orange skin tone, Bondi Sands uses a premium, salon-quality green/blue dye that creates a natural-looking tan. The active ingredient is DHA (Dihydroxyacetone); a sugar molecule that reacts to the amino acids on the surface of the skin and controls how dark and natural the color looks. Bondi Sands uses a high level of DHA balanced with moisturizers to guarantee a smooth, streak-free application and glow.
If you need some help with where to start, there are several Bondi Sands products that are best-sellers and award-winners we cannot get enough of.
Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E for healthy, glowing skin, this innovative dual-action Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is perfect for tanning beginners, or low-maintenance lovers. Lighter than the foam or lotion, you’ll begin to notice a natural glow developing between one and three applications.
Rather than a “traditional” self-tanner, this moisturizing milk develops a golden bronze color gradually over time. It glides on effortlessly with an easy, fuss-free application and maintains your healthy glow for longer-lasting results.
Self Tanning Foam 1 Hour Express
For those who want an instant Australian glow, this foam will create a sunkissed finish in just one hour. It hydrates the skin with its lightweight formula for a long-lasting, natural-looking tan.
For a light to medium tan, let this foam develop for 30 minutes. For a darker tan, develop for an hour, and for the darkest result, rinse after two-three hours. The Express formulas continue to develop on the skin, even after the color guide has been washed off. It’s also fragrance-free!
Aero Self Tanning Foam 1 Hour Express
Like the Self Tanning Foam 1 Hour Express, this formula will create a sun-kissed Australian tan in just an hour. This variation, however, is an ultra-lightweight and quick-drying aerosol foam with a delicious coconut scent that will get you glowing.
In comparison to regular self-tanning foams, aerosol foams absorb into the skin deeper and quicker for the most controlled and comfortable self-tanning experience. Bondi Sands’ Aero also contains dual-action tanning actives to achieve a dark and long-lasting color, plus vitamin E and jojoba to hydrate and nourish the skin.
Self Tanning Foam Ultra Dark
With dual tanning actives and Bondi Sands’ signature coconut scent, this lightweight self-tanning foam will develop into the darkest Australian tan. Perfect for those with dark complexions and experienced tanners looking for the darkest tan, this is the next level in self-tanning.
To get the most out of this formula, let it develop for six hours before taking a shower. For an even darker and longer-lasting finish, re-apply this foam 30 minutes after your initial application.
Application Mitt
Of course, the best way to get the most out of any self-tanner is with an applicator, and this mitt is it. It not only creates a streak-free, flawless tan while keeping hands stain free, but this mitt is also washable, reusable, and works with all Bondi Sands foams, lotions, and mists.
The alternative to using an applicator mitt is, of course, using your hands. However, your skin absorbs the tanner as you apply it, and over-tanned hands and contours on the hand can create an uneven look.
For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com
