If the words Orange Gelée invoke warm, fuzzy feelings of scent-stalgia, thus stirring up past fantasies of relaxing aboard a yacht in the glistening turquoise waters of Saint-Tropez, then brace yourself. We have some very important news to share. We here at Vacation have been hard at work at what some may regard as the most exciting endeavor of the century: The Orange Gelée Revival Project. A truly comprehensive effort for the brand, this project marks the comeback of the beloved Orange Gelée sunscreen gel initially created by Bain De Soleil and discontinued, sadly, in 2019.
What Is Orange Gelée?For those unfamiliar with the legend of Orange Gelée, it is time to be enlightened. Bain De Soleil’s Orange Gelée debuted in the 1920s when tanning first became fashionable. The orange gel with a delectable scent was known to provide skin with a glowy radiance while helping it develop a deep, dark tan. (Truth be told, the sun protection part was an afterthought and came later—and started at SPF 4!) By the 1970s and 1980s, Orange Gelée had a loyal, devoted following (including Tom Ford, Michael Kors, and Real Housewives’ Dorinda Medley), which remained until it was sent to beauty product heaven four sad years ago.
Today, Orange Gelée remains a long-lost love to those who have fond memories of using it every summer (or year-round). Those lucky enough to have kept a tube or two in their possession are now selling them for hundreds on reseller sites (even with expiration dates older than the last season of Baywatch). The passion for this iconic product is understandable, but surely there must be a better way — that’s also kinder on one’s hard-earned coins!
How Vacation® Is Bringing Back
Orange GeléeNow, we have all been suspicious one time or another of so-called reboots. But before you give this project a bombastic side-eye, know that Vacation® is approaching it with complete and utter respect. The aim is to honor the OG Orange Gelée, and bring back the things about it that we love and cherish, i.e., the scent, feel, and packaging, but with a modern-day, sun protectant-first formula. ‘Cause let’s be real, during the height of Orange Gelée, in the ‘70s and ‘80s, being a bronzed beach babe was in. These days, we’re much more knowledgeable about the risks of tanning, but that doesn't mean we can’t have the best of both worlds: the luxurious, heavenly-smelling Orange Gelée with a good SPF. (Expect a rating much higher than that old-school SPF 4, of course.)
Assembling the Orange Gelée Advisory BoardCall it a Herculean task, if you will, but we’re fully dedicated to the cause. Earlier this year, we assembled an illustrious panel of experts consisting of lifelong Orange Gelée superfans, leading dermatologists, modern beauty experts, and beauty industry professionals. Each member shares a love for this legendary product with their own unique and personal connection to it, making the board a sort of north star for the project. These fine folks have been lending their knowledge and expertise while testing lab samples to help determine the key points of Orange Gelée: color, texture, feel, fragrance, packaging, and more.
Through the Orange Gelée website and newsletter, I, your dedicated Orange Gelée reporter, am providing regular updates about the project. You’ll be able to learn more about the development process as well as the history of this mysterious orange icon. We’ll hit the finish line in Summer 2024 with the official release of Orange Gelée by Vacation®, which will be available at retailers such as Ulta, Nordstrom, and Amazon.
Join us on the Orange Gelée journey by signing up for the newsletter and visiting the blog, where you’ll find my updates and learn more about the mythos behind the world’s beloved Orange Gelée. Plus, anyone who signs up for the newsletter will get early access to the product when it launches!
