Here’s our guide to the best fake tans on the market
SUNBATHING in Ireland is generally only possible on about three days of the year — so if you want to get golden, you’re going to have to enlist some help.
But you won’t have to go far. This season, there’s a whole host of new bronzing and sunless tanning solutions that will have you glowing in no time.
From one-minute wonders to week-long prepping products, here’s our tan-tilising guide to faking it...
For a super-speedy tan boost, bronzer is your best friend. Clarins Aquatic Treasures Summer Bronzing Compact, €38 ( www.debenhams.ie ), is a super-sized powder palette composed of three complementary earthy hues plus a shimmery golden highlighter, so you can add definition with the browns, or sweep a big kabuki brush over all four.
Or checkout Benefit’s Hoola, €34 (Debenhams) is a bestselling bronzing powder, delivers a convincing sun-kissed look every time. Worth the investment.
An all-over spray tan is best left to the professionals, but the latest at-home innovations are easy-peasy to use.
Givenchy Croisiere Brume Bonne Mine Powder Spray, €45.72 plus P&P ( www.Escentual.com ), dries to a silky matte finish, the density of colour can be controlled depending on how far away you hold the nozzle.
Use it as a base by blending in with a foundation brush, or add a light spritz over your face and decollete if wearing a shoulder-baring top.
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Tan Glow 75ml, €13.59 (Boots), is a great quick-fix solution for pasty pre-summer complexions, and not just for legs. Spray on evenly for a hint of colour that easily washes off.
Given 60 minutes to play with, you’ve got time to go for an all-over application — but you’ll need a product that gets to work quickly.
Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Instant Tan Mousse, €6.90 (www.primark.com) does what it says on the can (but you can leave it for up to four) then washes off, and has a lovely Tahitian Gardenia scent — plus, it recently got the Instagram seal of approval from bronzed model Kylie Jenner, causing a Stateside sell-out. Developed by Irish businesswoman Marissa Carter.
Tanning before a big party or wedding? You’ll need to do some skin prep, starting with a non-oil exfoliating scrub.
Next, ensure your hands, feet, elbows and knees are moisturised, as self-tan will cling to dry areas, whether it’s wash off or not, Make sure you’ve removed all body lotions, make-up and deodorant immediately prior to applying your tan, as this can affect the end result.
Fake Bake Beyond Bronze Self Tanning Mousse €19.95 dries quickly, develops over three to five hours and can be applied on consecutive nights for darker results.
Applying self-tan the night before an event gives you one less thing to worry about on the day. But how to ensure even application?
“Always use an applicator mitt. This ensures an even, streak-free finish, without leaving the palms of your hands deeply golden,” says St Tropez’s tanning expert Jules Heptonstall.
“Swipe the mitt up the body, starting at the feet and moving upwards to cover the whole body, gently buffing the product into the skin.
"When tanning hands and feet, don’t add any additional product to the mitt, just use the residue from the body application, this will be enough for these areas.”
For an overnight sensation, try Xen-Tan Dark Lotion Weekly Self-Tan, €36.49 (Boots), or Utan Nourishing Night Creme, €33.99 (Boots), which also contains toning and texture-improving ingredients.
The latest innovation from St Tropez is the Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion, €13.33, a creamy gel that helps you reach your optimum golden glow after three daily doses.
After exfoliating, turn the shower off and apply the lotion as you would your usual shower gel, wait three minutes then rinse. The subtle colour develops throughout the day.
Seven days away from your hols? Swap your daily body lotion for a cream with gradual tanning properties.
Melvita Prosun Self-Tanning Gel-Cream, €32.02 plus P&P (feeluniue.com), uses natural Erythrulose from cane sugar instead of DHA — the usual active ingredient — so you don’t get that typical fake tan smell, while HE-SHI Day To Day Gradual Tan €19.50 ( www.brownthomas.ie ), comes with aloe vera, vitamin B5 and vitamin E.
