How To Choose The Best Fake Tan For You

The faux glow has come a long way. From the days when the school yard looked more like Willy Wonka’s factory to when streaks were more common than flip phones. Nowadays you’d be hard-pressed to find a self-tanning product that doesn’t look like the real deal. You can fake a European summer getaway with just one bottle and a good-quality mitt (can I get an amen?). But with the plethora of foams, sprays, lotions and oils on the market – how do you choose the best type for you? To decipher the diversity among tanning products, I chatted to St. Tropez expert tanner Michael Brown and Coco Body co-founder Leah Dowell. I give you, the fake tan encyclopaedia…

Tanning foam

Michael reckons tanning foam (or mousse) is the most popular form of self-tan “due to the foam texture drying very quickly once applied with less residue”. Tanning foam is usually very light and fluffy, making it easy to apply (especially when using a mitt, which both Michael and Leah recommend). Leah notes that most foams go onto the skin dark so you can see where you’ve applied the tan, which helps to avoid streaks and ensure an even finish.

Best for: Oily skin types, time-poor beauties.

fake tan foams

We love: Rimmel London Sun Shimmer Self Tan Mousse, Reef Beach Glow Instant Tan Foaming Mousse, Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam Dark, Coco Body Bronze Me Nourishing 2 Hour Tanning Mousse, Paula’s Choice Sun 365 Self-Tanning Foam,

Tanning spray

Self-tanning sprays were extremely popular back in the day, however are less favoured now as it’s harder to achieve an even finish with them. Most store-bought sprays come in a can and are tricky to use solo. Loads of beauty salons offer in-salon spray tans (as well as brands such as Benefit) which are a fabulous option. With an in-salon spray tan, Michael explains you don’t need a mitt to massage the spray into the body (like you do with most at-home sprays), and you’re unlikely to experience any unevenness since the tan is being applied by a trained professional.

Best for: Experienced tanners

fake tan spray

We love: Pelactiv Sunless Tanning Systems Tanning Spray, Le Tan In Le Can, , Australis Rapid Tan Chocolate Spray, St. Tropez Self Tan Dark Spray

Tanning oil

Michael says tanning oils are relatively new to the self-tan scene but are quickly gaining traction due to their “nourishing power”. Tanning oils are usually quick-drying and gradually develop colour. Many foams and sprays can leave the skin a tad dry (especially after prolonged use) but oil-based tans give a similar colour payoff and hydrate the skin. “You can use an application mitt to apply tanning oil but it’s also nice massaged into the skin and [can be] easily layered to get the shade you’re after,” adds Michael.

Best for: Dry skin types, any tanning level

tanning oil

We love: Bondi Sands Liquid Gold, St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil

Tanning lotion

Available in both instant and gradual forms, tanning lotions are more hydrating than mousse and sprays but are less hydrating than oils. They have a similar consistency to moisturisers and can be applied with your hands (just make sure you wash them after!). Leah explains that lotions generally take the longest time to dry so are not ideal for the time-poor.

Best for: Dry skin types, lazy beauties.

fake tan lotion

We love: JBronze Gradual Tanning Cream, Dove Summer Glow Gradual Self Tan Body Lotion, Dr. LeWinn’s Sunless Self Tanning Lotion, St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower, ModelCo Instant Tan Self Tan Lotion

Which type of fake tan do you like best and why?

73 Member Comments

ThisIsMe 26 Jun 2018 2:58 PM

I've tried the dove one but I don't like it makes my skin yellow and I look sick!

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Shop A Everyday 13 May 2018 8:49 PM

I must admit I prefer a lotion, the mousses were drying and left lots of splotch like marks

AP1992 25 Apr 2017 12:55 PM

Very informative article. Thanks for the advice

Shop A Everyday 14 Nov 2016 1:06 AM

The gradual ones are good as they don't seem to leave marks

beckytindal 20 Sep 2016 11:16 PM

Mousse and a mit are my best friends!! Loving Tan FTW!

Yohanna 30 Aug 2016 11:37 AM

Never in need of body paint, as last decade I have been eating heaps of fruit and veg (plant based nutrition, loaded with these raw goodies full of natural pigments that colour the skin)...here is the example and more thourough explanation why! (My sis was white/pale all her life before changed her diet too and not has also golden glow like me...I call it 'yellow' skin lol). Basically there has been scientific foloww up, and people who eat more than measly "recommended" intake, they have the most 'attractive' skin colour-'golden glow'. And best part, skin really sparkles on the sunlight!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2737569/You-really-ARE-eat-Forget-sunbathing-munching-just-two-extra-portions-fruit-beg-day-gives-better-skin-glow-suntan.html

Littleboxofglam 20 Jul 2016 4:09 PM

really want to try the tropez in shower gradual tan

Linda561 15 Jul 2016 10:59 AM

I have never used fake tan before!

Christee330 14 Jul 2016 9:56 PM

I've pretty much used fake tan variants; my fave is the Instant tan sprays for a perfect, bronzed look in 30 mins

bmill229 12 Jul 2016 7:46 PM

This will be handy when I start tanning.

miss.ske 10 Jul 2016 2:02 PM

I've never taken into consideration the obvious... "Which type of fake tanning products would be suitable for my skin?" I have dry skin and have always looked into tanning foams and have switched between multiple brands in which stock tanning foams and have always been somewhat displeased with the results.

To tanning oils and lotions, I shall switch!

Shop A Everyday 19 Jun 2016 12:29 AM

So many different types of products

Trish_D 15 Jun 2016 10:55 PM

Never fake tanned and I'm not about to start.

Emmaj77 12 Jun 2016 7:29 PM

My eldest daughter uses the Bondi Sands foam religiously, and through having to help apply it to the more difficult to reach yourself areas for her many times , I have gotten to know this product well. It goes on very well and has a delicious smell to it unlike some in the past that i have used. If put on correctly, it gives a great natural looking tan that lasts for days. Now the first time I saw the marks that it left on my lovely white sheets I nearly died, but it washes out very well and now don't bat an eyelid when I see the application mitt coming out. Really great product

Katie Mackenzie 12 Jun 2016 3:56 PM

I'm a natural redhead so fake tan is my BF I love the rimmel mouse it's the best colour on me & fastest!

Coconut Jayne 12 Jun 2016 12:50 PM

I've only ever used a tanning lotion, they're super easy to apply and I tend to go for a gradual formula

ray_jay 10 Jun 2016 11:26 PM

A total tanner fake here. I love the result of mousse the most. Its the least streaky result on me. And yes a tanning mitt is a must have.

Sarah-may 10 Jun 2016 5:39 PM

I've never used self tanner before. I have some St Tropez sitting around somewhere but I haven't been brave enough to use it. I also need to purchase a mitt. But I figure it's winter now so I don't need to be that tanned at the moment.

Chicklet 9 Jun 2016 7:56 PM

I love St Tropez whatever the formulation!

Little Opie 9 Jun 2016 12:01 PM

Might just have to try a tanning oil. A fake tan and a moisturising oil in one....winning

Truth 5 Jun 2016 3:07 PM

I love Palmers Cocoa Butter natural bronze, its a gradual tan with develops into a beautiful natural honey colour, smells like cocoa with a hint of chocolate and very inexpensive

Shop A Everyday 4 Jun 2016 4:19 PM

So many wonderful products

Kassalee 3 Jun 2016 7:20 AM

My daughter uses Eco Tan Invisible Tan

Not in this article but a cream that is all natural and organic and Australian- lovely story behind the reason for it coming about by Sonya Driver - her sister was diagnosed with melanoma at just 30 years of age.

Not a tan- junkie but when I do want to show my legs off in summer (rare!) this is what I use and I swear by it!

ray_jay 15 Aug 2016 5:19 PM

I agree. Eco tan is incredible plus the face tan water is brilliant too. And the range is gentle and smooth.

Lubz 1 Jun 2016 2:44 PM

I'm no tanner, but interested to know about the beauty must haves

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