With pale white shins and pasty shoulders making an appearance as the temperature (occasionally) rises, you can get sun-kissed skin minus the burn with a few of our favourite tanning products…
The one that all the beauty bloggers talk about…
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Intense Elixir, £15.99, Boots
Billed as the first serum tanning product on the market, the texture is a little bit watery which then instantly dries. It is so instant that you need to work fast to ensure that you’ve spread it out evenly using a tanning mitt to avoid tell-tale wrist streaks (a technique I’ve not quite mastered).
With a product that absorbs this fast, you can apply after having a shower and go to sleep without worrying about tanned pillowcases. The colour that develops is a neutral base shade of tan, with no traces of orange. With claims that the tan lasts for 2 weeks, I am still showing traces of colour on my arms after last applying two coats at the end of May!
I’m always a bit wary about applying tanning products to my face, but a tiny amount gave my face a notable glow which required no foundation the next day. Whilst it would take longer for you to cover your legs with this very light substance, the tan would work particularly well if you’re looking to get some colour about your chest and arms.
At a price tag suited to L’Oreal’s previous releases, this product is worth the investment. If you’re looking for a tan that applies quickly and lasts, let yourself believe a little bit of the hype.
The one that is more of a moisturiser…
Dove Summer Glow Lotion, £2.48, Superdrug
Compared to other lotions with a self-tanning agent, this one doesn’t leave your skin orange and with brown patches in between your fingers (providing you wash your hands afterwards!). With a buildable colour, you can cover your legs with little risk that the backs will go patchy.
The one for your face…
Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Self-Tanning Dry Face Mist Spray, £6.95, feelunique.com
This product is both easy to apply and dries instantly- there is literally nothing to rub in before it is absorbed. The mist is very fine and doesn’t leave your skin feeling wet like the awkward aftermath of getting a spray tan. (Why can’t you walk home from the spray tan booth in a dressing gown instead of having to put your jeans back on?)
The tan will gradually develop into a nice shade after a few hours. Just don’t do what I did and spray it one morning before school. It is safe to say that the concealer that I had applied that morning did not match my face by lunchtime.
The one that will give you a tan instantly…
St. Moriz Instant Self Tanning Lotion, £2.99, Semichem
Now this is the product where you need to be careful and vigilant in your tanning application process. Use a tanning mitt, squeeze out a bit of the lotion and spread the tan around in circular motions with the speed of a gazelle. Once you’ve mastered this, you get immediate colour pay off which errs on the darker side- ideal for the final hours before a big night out. Just be careful with any light-coloured tops that you wear, in case your dancing becomes a little bit too exerting and your clothing around your under-arms becomes tanned as well…
Armed with these beauties, you can stroll down your local high-street looking like you’ve just been on a two-week jaunt to St Tropez. Now all we need is some warmer Scottish weather for that summer feeling…
