For years people have been wondering how Claudia Winkleman achieves her healthy bronzed complexion, with whispers of the presenter using different mousses and even gravy granules for the look. But, now we have the answer from the source herself – and I wanted to give it a go for myself.
Without blowing my own trumpet, I pride myself on being a self-tan aficionado, scouting out the very best fake tans for mature skin and applying the best fake tan for the face on a weekly basis all year round to ensure I have a healthy-looking complexion. So, after sleuthing the internet and uncovering the exact buy behind Claudia Winkleman's iconic tan, it only made sense for me to try it for myself.
Differing to other formulas on the market, Winkleman opts for pre-soaked, exfoliating self-tan pads that deliver buildable, natural-looking results in a swipe – making them ideal for fake tan novices or those in a time crunch. So without further ado, these are my honest thoughts on said self-tan pads – spoiler, I've been frequently reaching for them over the last few months.
My thoughts on the self-tan behind Claudia Winkleman's bronzed glow
You might've already heard about the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, a favourite glow-boosting exfoliator amongst beauty editors, however did you know they have a self-tan sister product? Say hello to the brand's Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self Tanner, with options for both body and face, which combine the exfoliating powers of the Universal Daily Peel with a natural-looking self-tan.
After years of speculation (and some pointers towards using, ahem, gravy granules), Claudia answered the question on everyone's lips in an interview with Get The Gloss, what fake tan does she wear? "I am simply obsessed with the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads," Claudia revealed.
RRP: £49 | Key ingredients: DHA, emblica extract, Alpha Beta® Acids and vitamin E | Number of pads: 8
Whether you're in a pinch for time or are a beginner to self-tanning, Dr Dennis Gross' Alpha Beta® Glow Pad™ Self-Tanner for Body are the answer to an easy, streak-free and natural-looking glow. These towels are pre-soaked with a long-lasting self-tan formula that begins to develop within an hour. Forget biscuity scents, this non-scented buy is equipped with emblica extract to stimulate collagen production and brighten the skin, while Alpha Beta® Acids work to exfoliate the skin. Not to mention, vitamin E improves the skin's moisture retention.
RRP: £49 | Key ingredients: DHA, emblica extract, Alpha Beta® Acids and vitamin E | Number of pads: 20
Complete your self-tan bodycare routine with the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Glow Pad™ Self-Tanner for Face. These perfectly-dosed tan pads work the same as the body alternative, equipped with the likes of DHA, Alpha Beta® Acids, emblica extract and vitamin E, however they are specifically designed for use on the face. Drying down quickly, this self-tanner delivers time-released colour for a long-lasting glow. Not to mention, the towelette design allows for an easy, convenient and mess-free application – without any worries of a streaky complexion.
So now you know the ins and outs of the self-tans in question, and the fact that Claudia is a big fan, you might be intrigued to hear my thoughts on the two formulas. Well, you'll be pleased to know that, despite my scepticism, I was left impressed with both buys.
The body pads are essentially large, waffle-textured wipes that are designed to be swept over the body in circular motions, beginning with your lower body and working your way up, which I found made for an incredibly easy application. I did notice that the wipes began to feel slightly drier by the time I reached my upper body, which meant I was left with an even more natural-looking glow on my arms and around my décolletage.
It dried down almost instantly, however I chose to follow the brand's recommendation of following the application with one of the best-smelling body lotions to boost hydration and enhance the longevity of the tan.
While the results of the tan itself were subtle, yet buildable through multiple applications during the week, I noticed a huge difference in the appearance of my skin. Dullness, texture and uneven skin tones were minimised for a more airbrushed-like appearance. Plus, I didn't notice any streaking or missed areas – a big win when using any self-tan.
As for the face self-tan pads, the application was essentially the same as the body version, using circular motions and applying one of the best face moisturisers over the top. Personally, I found this even easier on my face as the towelette was a lot smaller and kept its moisture for the entire application.
In terms of results, this formula takes slightly longer to develop, at 3-4 hours, however I noticed a difference within the first two hours after application. The finish wasn't overly obvious that I was wearing self-tan, instead it gave me an even tone and healthy glow. That said, I can imagine it is easily buildable to achieve your depth of tan preferences, however be careful not to use these pads more than 2-3 times a week, in order to avoid over-exfoliation of your complexion.
