Whether you’re looking to banish pasty limbs or simply enhance a dull complexion, a high-tech self-tan is one of the easiest ways to fake it.
Thankfully, we’ve come a long way from the days of patchy instant tans (we’re looking at you Rimmel SunShimmer) and a wave of new foolproof formulas will give you that just-spent-a-week-in-the-Med hue without the streaks and messy sheets.
From the fabulous facial mists to the clever all-over elixirs and genius buffing brushes to navigate tricky crevices, add these products to your basket now.
For the face
Do invest in a separate facial tanner. The lighter-weight consistencies are less likely to clog pores and the best products now come packed with skincare ingredients for extra nourishment. Look to facial tanning mists, serums and drops. For a warm, sun-kissed glow, spritz James Read’s Rose Glow Tanning Water Mist (£23, jamesreadtan.com) all over the face, neck and décolletage. It is enriched with rose water, hyaluronic acid, witch hazel and vitamin E to hydrate and freshen the complexion. Use on bare skin or layer over skincare, makeup or SPF.
Australian brand Three Warriors, which recently launched in the UK, is another to have on your radar. The Face Tan Aqua Mist is rich in minerals and electrolytes from pure Tasmanian water (£32, feelunique.com) and is already winning over tanning obsessives.
Also new are Bare by Vogue William’s new non-sticky Face Tanning Serums (£25, barebyvogue.co.uk), which are packed with hyaluronic acid and pomegranate to protect against UV damage, while oat lipids help support skin barrier function. Choose from light, medium or dark — her tanning mists are also excellent. Or for a subtle, buildable bronze, you simply can’t go wrong with Tan Luxe’s now cult The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops (£36, cultbeauty.co.uk). Add a few drops to your daily moisturiser.
For the body
Time to tackle those lacklustre limbs. St Tropez has brought back its viral Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse (£33, superdrug.com) — the brand’s most decadent formula yet — with extra credentials. Dual-action tanning actives promise a longer-lasting glow, while a new sandalwood scent masks that giveaway odour, and niacinamide, echinacea and vitamin E work to even skin tone and add an extra layer of nourishment.
Speaking of clever formulas, Vita Liberata’s Heavenly Tanning Elixir contains a slow-release DHA that continues to develop over 72 hours, leaving you with a gradually deepening natural-looking tan. The added benefit of the new untinted formula (£34, boots.com) means minimal transfer onto clothes or sheets.
In a rush? The new Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam One Hour Express promises a long-lasting tan within 60 minutes at a very reasonable price (£9.99, boots.com).
The streak-free toolkit
A good fake tan is all in the application, so grab yourself a tanning mitt. Coco & Eve’s (£12, cultbeauty.co.uk) is velvety soft. For an even spray tan-like application at home, try Isle of Paradise’s Pro-Glow Spray Tan Mister (£9.85, boots.com). Use in tandem with the brand’s sustainable Self-Tanning Water refill pouches (£14.95, boots.com), available in light medium or dark, to significantly cut down the plastic in your tanning routine.
Amanda Harrington’s vegan brushes, meanwhile, allow you to buff products streak-free into the skin in those tricky areas, such as hands, feet and knees.
Five top tips from glow guru James Read
- It’s all in the prep. Exfoliate and shave 24 hours before, and always clean your teeth before tanning the face to avoid any unwanted drips around the mouth.
- Layer your self-tan in fine layers, this will help it to fade more evenly.
- Use a mitt for a flawless application and start from the bottom up, leaving the face, hands and feet until last. Always work leftover product from the arms onto these areas, never apply direct. A water mist can help to avoid streaks in these areas, too.
- To preserve your tan on holiday, use a waterproof SPF to maintain it while you’re swimming. Use a regular after-sun in the evenings to prolong it and top up your glow by adding tanning drops to your body cream.
- Less is more on the face, so start light and build up.
