How to self-tan now: best self tanners 2018
Mists, dry oils, masks and drops... Meet the best self tanners of 2018
Self Tan Chanel L'eau Tan
While the blossom may have only just appeared on the trees, 'buffed and bronzed' shaped ambitions are already playing on our minds. In recent memory, self-tan was limited to lotions and mousses and brand-wise there were only a few major players. Today, a trip down the self-tanning aisle will see consumers met with mists, drops, masks and oils from an array of shiny new (and international) brands. We help you make sense of them below.
Mists
The concept of self-tanning mist is hardly new (people have been enjoying early versions of spray tans since around 1908), but DIY mists are a relatively new and growing phenomenon. Especially in as aspirational a form as Chanel's 'L'eau Tan', set to be released in June of 2018. It is the first time the luxury brand is entering the realm of self-tanning since 1932, when Gabrielle Chanel created 'L'Huile Tan' which promised to bring users a sunkissed 'outdoors' glow. The new lightweight body mist will hydrate, deliver a delicate golden bronze, prolong natural tans and leave skin smelling incredibly fresh. Perfect for the summer months to come.
Drops
Just as dew-lovers are mixing highlighting drops into their foundation, those after a 'just back from the beach' look are mixing tanning drops into their chosen moisturiser, serums and facial oils. The allure of blendable drops is that users have autonomy over how much colour they want to build, depending on how many drops they add, and gone are the days when your skincare regime is interrupted by a heavy slick of tanning lotion. A cult favourite is Radiance-Plus Body Golden Glow Booster from Clarins. Tailored, simple and effective. Buy it here, starting from £27.
Dry Oils
The beauty of dry oil tanners are the added benefits, namely that dehydrating alcohol formulas are replaced with nourishing, non-drying ingredients. James Read's Coconut Dry Oil Tan – launching this month – is high in Vitamin E and Coconut Oil to nourish, regenerate and moisturise skin upon use. As with all dry oils, it harnesses all the benefits of classic oil without the greasy residue.
Masks
2018 has gone crazy for masks. From celebrities documenting their sheet mask-clad plane commutes to one's made specifically for your hands and feet, it's no wonder the tanning industry has sashayed onto the bandwagon. A popular choice is Charlotte Tilbury's Overnight Bronze & Glow Mask, of which Tilbury herself said 'Darlings, this is the secret to my DREAM skin'. Nourishing blackcurrant seed oil gives bio-mimetic conditioning to your skin while oil kernel extract reduces redness and soothes skin whilst protecting and hydrating. Buy it here for £38.
Sweet-smelling
Biscuits and burnt toast are just two of the unmannerly comparisons the smell of fake-tan has garnered. It's only right, then, that brands known for creating heavenly smelling products are pioneering a renaissance against the unwanted affect. Glam Glow from Omorovicza (not to be confused with the supermud mask brand Glam Glow) is an award-winning, buildable lotion that has an entirely pleasant citrus smell while encouraging skin's elasticity. Buy it here for £35
Vegan, Cruelty Free and Organic Self Tans
Glow with a conscience. With beauty consumers becoming increasingly 'woke', we wouldn't be surprised if you've seen influencers aplenty raving about the recently launched Isle of Paradise, created by celebrity tanner Jules Von Hep. The line is centered around colour-technology, and does away with the myth that one-size-fits-all - there are three different shades of the self-tanning water, among a number of alternative tanning products. Most importantly, though, is that the brand is 100 per cent vegan, cruelty free and organic. The tanning water costs under £20, and you can shop the range here.
Luxe Gradual Tans
A range of luxury brands have recognised the market for indulgent, researched-backed self-tanning products which deliver additional benefits to skin. La Mer's deeply nourishing Soleil De La Mer, for the face and body, adds a soft, luminous glow to the complexion and has been formulated with 'golden algae', marine peptides and botanicals to simultaneously defend skin against premature signs of ageing and balance pH. Buy it here for £80
Mists
The concept of self-tanning mist is hardly new (people have been enjoying early versions of spray tans since around 1908), but DIY mists are a relatively new and growing phenomenon. Especially in as aspirational a form as Chanel's 'L'eau Tan', set to be released in June of 2018. It is the first time the luxury brand is entering the realm of self-tanning since 1932, when Gabrielle Chanel created 'L'Huile Tan' which promised to bring users a sunkissed 'outdoors' glow. The new lightweight body mist will hydrate, deliver a delicate golden bronze, prolong natural tans and leave skin smelling incredibly fresh. Perfect for the summer months to come.
Drops
Just as dew-lovers are mixing highlighting drops into their foundation, those after a 'just back from the beach' look are mixing tanning drops into their chosen moisturiser, serums and facial oils. The allure of blendable drops is that users have autonomy over how much colour they want to build, depending on how many drops they add, and gone are the days when your skincare regime is interrupted by a heavy slick of tanning lotion. A cult favourite is Radiance-Plus Body Golden Glow Booster from Clarins. Tailored, simple and effective. Buy it here, starting from £27.
Dry Oils
The beauty of dry oil tanners are the added benefits, namely that dehydrating alcohol formulas are replaced with nourishing, non-drying ingredients. James Read's Coconut Dry Oil Tan – launching this month – is high in Vitamin E and Coconut Oil to nourish, regenerate and moisturise skin upon use. As with all dry oils, it harnesses all the benefits of classic oil without the greasy residue.
Masks
2018 has gone crazy for masks. From celebrities documenting their sheet mask-clad plane commutes to one's made specifically for your hands and feet, it's no wonder the tanning industry has sashayed onto the bandwagon. A popular choice is Charlotte Tilbury's Overnight Bronze & Glow Mask, of which Tilbury herself said 'Darlings, this is the secret to my DREAM skin'. Nourishing blackcurrant seed oil gives bio-mimetic conditioning to your skin while oil kernel extract reduces redness and soothes skin whilst protecting and hydrating. Buy it here for £38.
Sweet-smelling
Biscuits and burnt toast are just two of the unmannerly comparisons the smell of fake-tan has garnered. It's only right, then, that brands known for creating heavenly smelling products are pioneering a renaissance against the unwanted affect. Glam Glow from Omorovicza (not to be confused with the supermud mask brand Glam Glow) is an award-winning, buildable lotion that has an entirely pleasant citrus smell while encouraging skin's elasticity. Buy it here for £35
Vegan, Cruelty Free and Organic Self Tans
Glow with a conscience. With beauty consumers becoming increasingly 'woke', we wouldn't be surprised if you've seen influencers aplenty raving about the recently launched Isle of Paradise, created by celebrity tanner Jules Von Hep. The line is centered around colour-technology, and does away with the myth that one-size-fits-all - there are three different shades of the self-tanning water, among a number of alternative tanning products. Most importantly, though, is that the brand is 100 per cent vegan, cruelty free and organic. The tanning water costs under £20, and you can shop the range here.
Luxe Gradual Tans
A range of luxury brands have recognised the market for indulgent, researched-backed self-tanning products which deliver additional benefits to skin. La Mer's deeply nourishing Soleil De La Mer, for the face and body, adds a soft, luminous glow to the complexion and has been formulated with 'golden algae', marine peptides and botanicals to simultaneously defend skin against premature signs of ageing and balance pH. Buy it here for £80
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