The long weekend is the perfect time to debut freshly glowing skin with a hint of sun-kissed tan. Having experienced more than my fair share of orange-hued tans (thank you ’80s), I’ve always approached faux tan with a hint of trepidation.
However, thanks to this stellar line-up of tanning brands, I’ve finally left the traumatic memory of pumpkin tones behind and embraced the new era of tanning products with delight and appreciation.
Our team has happily spent the last few weeks putting the below products to the test – on a range of skin tones from the palest of pale white (yes, that’s me!) through to those who prefer a darker result and are regular self-tanners.
These winning combinations below were unanimously declared winners, and we loved the options around choosing between a lotion, foam, and serum – depending on personal preference. Now you can break out shorter hemlines with absolute confidence and enjoy healthy glowing skin year-round.
Azure Tan Self Tan Mousse $27.99
Verdict: A round of applause for this recently launched clean and vegan brand. Combining self-tanning with skincare, formulas include skincare ingredients such as ceramide, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamins B3 and E. Our fave aspect is the fact you can choose a tailored colour-correcting colour base specific to your skin tone to avoid yellow or orange undertones. The range includes Colour Boost Drops, Self Tan Remover Mousse, and Tanning Butter.
James Read Click & Glow Tan Drops $56
Verdict: Genius! Just add a few drops of this tanning serum to your favourite moisturiser for instant results. We love being able to control the depth of colour simply by choosing more or less drops each time. And if you’re wary around trusting a face tan product, this James Read H2O Tan Mist Face will earn your confidence. The colourless cooling mist not only slowly adds a hint of colour but it’s enriched with skin-loving vitamins. Pro Tip: It’s can also be used as a make-up prime, setter, or refresher
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam $24.99
Verdict: A+ for the foam option, particularly for how easy it is to apply (especially with the mitt). The result was natural and streak-free and a little product went a surprisingly long way. Leave on for longer if you want a darker tan – we wanted a natural look so chose an hour’s develop time, which was perfect. There’s also a Self Tanning Face Mist 1 Hour Express for when you need a quick result (ideal for an event).
COOLA Sunless Tan Firming Lotion $85
Verdict: Lovely natural-looking result that developed nicely overnight with no transfer (the white sheets are grateful). Smells delicious (hello pina colada) and consistency of moisturiser to apply and also worth noting how hydrated our skin felt after using. Pro Tip: The Organic Sunless Tan Luminising Serum is a must-have for the party season for skin shimmer thanks to fine pearlescent mica.
Sugar Baby Sun-Believable Golden Glow Instant Bronze Self Tanning Mousse $33
Verdict: Say hello to your new tan collection BFFs. We’ve trialled a few goodies from this range and the results are enviably fast – perfect for a quick event-ready skin glow. Bonus points for the tropical scent and subtle shimmer. This mousse is feather-light to apply, and we love that the range is cruelly-free, dermatologically tested, and vegan.
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Butter $40
Verdict: First of all, we LOVE a coloured tanning product (as opposed to clear), as it’s much easier to see where you’ve applied and avoid missing spots. Lush creamy consistency and skin feels utterly pampered after applying (thanks to the coconut, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils). The end result is a gentle golden glow and beautifully even skin tone.
Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Lotion Tinted Skin Protector $27.99
Verdict: At this time of year, we love to ditch the heavy make-up and embrace more of a natural glow. With light and sheer bronzing pigments, this newly released skin tint is perfect for daily application. Fast-absorbing, the low-level tanning active slowly develops a gradual tan while also nourishing skin. Choose from Tinted Skin Perfector, Skin Illuminator, and Skin Firming formulas – these goodies have freshly arrived in-store now.
Brush On Block Mineral Sunscreen Touch Of Tan $49
Verdict: While this isn’t a fake tanning product like the rest of the crew, we’ve included it as it’s just too good to leave out. It’s our go-to under make-up at this time of year, as it provides both SPF30 and a hint of tan tint. The tidy portable size makes it the perfect inclusion to your handbag essentials.
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