Go for gold
You don’t have to be taking part in the Olympic Games to win the gold this summer. Wave scores the top self-tanning products around…
GOLD: No7 Instant Sunshine Smooth on Bronzer, £12.50 from Boots, www.boots.com
This easy to use bronzer is the perfect make-up for your body when you want a sun-kissed look in seconds that lasts all day. An oil-free lotion that helps skin stay smooth, supple and healthy. This is definitely the best value for money and gives a natural looking tan.
The easy to use spray bottle lets you get to those hard to reach areas. Massage in well to avoid tell-tale streaks. The effect is instant – and it washes off when you want it to. Easy!
SILVER: 17 Instant Glow Body Bronzer – Medium Matte, £4.99 from Boots, www.boots.com
This new bronzer from 17 gives an instant tan and dries in five minutes so you’re not waiting around for ages before you go out! Unlike the No7 bronzer, the result is less natural, appearing darker and more ‘fake’ (or that may just be because our legs haven’t seen the light of day in what feels like forever) – so stick to the light version if you’re just starting out! Ideal for tanning on a budget without the Tango-ed look.
BRONZE: Champneys Spa Indulgence Mediterranean Bliss Body Glow, £12 from Champneys Resorts and Day Spas, online at www.champneys.com and from Boots stores nationwide, www.boots.com
From the Champneys Mediterranean Bliss range, this exfoliating blend with sugar, olive oil, olive stone granules, coconut oil and shea butter came up from behind for a surprise bronze medal in the Wave tanning Olympics! That’s because unlike deep brown coloured bronzing creams, this is a shimmering gold liquid that looks gorgeous in the bottle but is a little worrying to think about on the skin. It is also visibly very runny but fear not as it comes in a glass bottle and dispenses slowly so it’s not as dangerous as on first inspection. Rather than an all over bronzer use this to highlight arms, shoulders and legs before a night out, as it gives an instant, healthy glow and a light, shimmering finish.
Best of the rest: These may not have won the medals, but we score them highly – think of them as the perfect Olympic high dive.
7/10 Sienna X Tanning Express Tanning Mist, £15.95, ww.sienna-x.co.uk
Sienna X spray tanning gives a gorgeous, natural-looking tan without the inherent dangers of skin damage that can result from over exposure to UVA/B rays, letting you look stunningly tanned all year round. It takes just 10 minutes to apply, with specialised equipment ready to use. Gorgeous, instant colour that develops into a deeper, golden tan in 2–4 hours.
9/10 St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, £30.64, www.st-tropez.com/self-tan
A firm favourite in the self-tanning field, whether it’s in a salon or at home, a spray liquid or a mousse. St Tropez has led the way in instant bronzing for years now and rightly so. Super-lightweight and easy-to-apply, this mousse will leave you with a perfectly natural looking, streak-free tan that dries in an instant. Plus it has a refreshing fragrance.
8/10 Green People Self Tan Lotion, £12.95, www.greenpeople.co.uk
Kind to your skin and the environment, this quick-drying and non-greasy lotion leaves skin soft and supple, lightly scented with natural essential oils, 89% certified organic. Suitable for people who may be prone to eczema or psoriasis.
8/10 Clarins Self Tanning Cream, £21.50, available from larger Boots stores and Debenhams nationwide, www.debenhams.com/clarins, www.boots.com/clarins
For more mature skin, or those with body hang-ups (blemishes/veins) this gives a golden, even, luminous tan. A glowing face and body is the result, giving a more youthful appearance. This cream is suitable for all skin types and is also infused with anti-ageing formulas. Add this to your summer wish list now!
Safe, long-lasting self tanning
• Always use a tanning mitt to apply self tan. It doesn’t matter how even the finish is if you have tell-tale stains on your hands!
• Ensure skin is exfoliated and apply self tan after a bath or shower. This will give a more even, all over finish.
• Don’t mistake fake tan for SPF! It’s great to use self tan before a holiday so you’re confident on the beach from day one but remember to apply SPF once you are in the sun. Self tanning products do not protect your skin from sun damage.
Product research: Niamh Canning
