Best fake tans 2022
For a realistic glow, here are our sustainable, sensational self-tan picks that will transform ashen limbs in almost an instant for summer 2022.
MODERN BRONZING
Even though we may shun the sun, it doesn’t mean we can’t look like a bronzed goddess. Fake tans have come such a long way, so they don’t look ersatz in the least and you’re simply left with glowy, sun-drenched skin whether you’re alabaster or melanin-rich - they can really boost colour and glow.
Plus, they’re also super-efficient and easy-than-ever to use. Here are our pick of the best fake tan products for face and body, and some sustainable picks for summer 2022.
1. Amanda Harrington The 3-step body regime, £103
Amanda Harrington is one of our picks of the best tan in town (check out her service here). The body is a three-step system and comes in three tints: Natural Rose, Natural Honey and Natural Olive, so you’ll never look like you’ve been Tango’d. To start, there's a Pre-Colour Primer which contains a low-level tanning agent and hyaluronic acid to moisturise and prolong your colour; a Bronzing Mousse with light reflectors to add glow and the iconic Body Brush that contains over 3,000 hairs and buffs the tan in for a streak-free flawless finish, and can be used to contour and slim too. All are vegan, sulphate, GMO, paraben and petrolatum-free and non-comedogenic, so won't clog pores.
Harrington has also just launched her Tanning Drops, £26, which are equally as amazing.
Buy here: The Body Set, £80
2. St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel, £33
This is a quick-acting gel that is entirely customisable, with three shades in one, depending on when you rinse it off. Shower after one hour for a light sun-kissed glow; two hours for a medium golden tan or three hours for a deep dark bronze. Plus, the moisturising ingredients offer long-term hydration, which enhances tan longevity and keeps your skin quenched for days thanks to hyaluronic acid. By the end of 2022 all of the range will be vegan friendly and the packaging (excluding pumps) will be recyclable or re-useable. The products are also free from microbeads, parabens, sulphates, pthlates and toxins.
Buy here: St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel, £33 – buy here
3. Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, £29.90
This has been gaining momentum since launch and is reported to have a 30,000 person waiting list - one bottle sells every 30 seconds. Its appeal is not only the skin-smoothing, anti-cellulite formula and believable colour but also the tropical aroma of mango and guava that it leaves on limbs. The formulas are also free from silicones, toxins, microbeads and parabens and are PETA approved.
Buy here: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, £29.90 – buy here
4. James Read Gradual Tan – Click & Glow Tan Drops, £32
Click and mix into your favourite moisturiser or SPF for the perfect customised glow cocktail. The hard-working serum is enriched with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, and helps protect the skin against free radicals and pollution. Plus, there's zero alcohol, and is vegan and cruelty free.
Buy here: James Read Gradual Tan – Click & Glow Tan Drops, £33 – buy here
5. Alleven Colour Shield, £38
This is what Beyoncé’s make-up artist used during her Coachella set. Why? Because it’s the tan-enhancing body make-up that won’t budge. It sprays on and transforms bare limbs in an instant while the colour-adapting pigments adjust to your skin tone, blurring imperfections, lumps and bumps. It dries in two minutes flat and is water resistant – so won’t streak as you exit the pool.
Buy here: Alleven Color Shield, £70 – buy here
6. Kissed by Mii Effortlessly Easy Tanning Lotion, £23.95
This extra-luxurious moisturising lotion keeps skin soft and supple and is as easy to use as your regular body moisturiser but with sunless tanning benefits. The tinted cream comes in three shades: Delicately Light, Beautifully Medium or Deliciously Dark and leaves behind the scent of sea minerals – rather than that usually whiffy smell of fake tan.
Buy here: Kissed by Mii Effortlessly Easy Tanning Lotion, £23.95 – buy here
7. Tan-Luxe The Hydrating Self-Tan Water, £34
This is what Hayley Bieber uses to help get that trademark glow. The purified water-based formula offers a boost of hydration while you tan and it's also alcohol, gluten, paraben and sulphate-free.
Buy here: Tan-Luxe The Hydrating Self-Tan Water, £34
Bondi Sands Reusable Application Mitt, £4.99
Not only does this help prevent uneven streaks, but it also protects your hands from getting stained. It's double-sided and washable, so reusable for future applications.
Buy here: Bondi Sands Reusable Application Mitt, £3.99
Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser, £17.95, or Jolen Creme Bleach, £4.35
Over It helps to gently erase any tanning mishaps, or lets you start afresh thanks to the glycolic and micellar water-based formula. If you have stained knuckles or fake-tan palms, you can try a facial hair lightener to take out the tint – Jolen Creme Bleach needs to sit on the skin for about 10 minutes and is a tried and tested formula to remove the stains.
Buy here: Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser, £17.95
Buy here: Jolen Mild Creme Bleach, £10.99
Plus, they’re also super-efficient and easy-than-ever to use. Here are our pick of the best fake tan products for face and body, and some sustainable picks for summer 2022.
Best self-tans of 2022 to shop now
1. Amanda Harrington The 3-step body regime, £103
Amanda Harrington is one of our picks of the best tan in town (check out her service here). The body is a three-step system and comes in three tints: Natural Rose, Natural Honey and Natural Olive, so you’ll never look like you’ve been Tango’d. To start, there's a Pre-Colour Primer which contains a low-level tanning agent and hyaluronic acid to moisturise and prolong your colour; a Bronzing Mousse with light reflectors to add glow and the iconic Body Brush that contains over 3,000 hairs and buffs the tan in for a streak-free flawless finish, and can be used to contour and slim too. All are vegan, sulphate, GMO, paraben and petrolatum-free and non-comedogenic, so won't clog pores.
Harrington has also just launched her Tanning Drops, £26, which are equally as amazing.
Buy here: The Body Set, £80
2. St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel, £33
This is a quick-acting gel that is entirely customisable, with three shades in one, depending on when you rinse it off. Shower after one hour for a light sun-kissed glow; two hours for a medium golden tan or three hours for a deep dark bronze. Plus, the moisturising ingredients offer long-term hydration, which enhances tan longevity and keeps your skin quenched for days thanks to hyaluronic acid. By the end of 2022 all of the range will be vegan friendly and the packaging (excluding pumps) will be recyclable or re-useable. The products are also free from microbeads, parabens, sulphates, pthlates and toxins.
Buy here: St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel, £33 – buy here
3. Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, £29.90
This has been gaining momentum since launch and is reported to have a 30,000 person waiting list - one bottle sells every 30 seconds. Its appeal is not only the skin-smoothing, anti-cellulite formula and believable colour but also the tropical aroma of mango and guava that it leaves on limbs. The formulas are also free from silicones, toxins, microbeads and parabens and are PETA approved.
Buy here: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, £29.90 – buy here
4. James Read Gradual Tan – Click & Glow Tan Drops, £32
Click and mix into your favourite moisturiser or SPF for the perfect customised glow cocktail. The hard-working serum is enriched with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, and helps protect the skin against free radicals and pollution. Plus, there's zero alcohol, and is vegan and cruelty free.
Buy here: James Read Gradual Tan – Click & Glow Tan Drops, £33 – buy here
5. Alleven Colour Shield, £38
This is what Beyoncé’s make-up artist used during her Coachella set. Why? Because it’s the tan-enhancing body make-up that won’t budge. It sprays on and transforms bare limbs in an instant while the colour-adapting pigments adjust to your skin tone, blurring imperfections, lumps and bumps. It dries in two minutes flat and is water resistant – so won’t streak as you exit the pool. Buy here: Alleven Color Shield, £70 – buy here
6. Kissed by Mii Effortlessly Easy Tanning Lotion, £23.95
This extra-luxurious moisturising lotion keeps skin soft and supple and is as easy to use as your regular body moisturiser but with sunless tanning benefits. The tinted cream comes in three shades: Delicately Light, Beautifully Medium or Deliciously Dark and leaves behind the scent of sea minerals – rather than that usually whiffy smell of fake tan. Buy here: Kissed by Mii Effortlessly Easy Tanning Lotion, £23.95 – buy here
7. Tan-Luxe The Hydrating Self-Tan Water, £34
This is what Hayley Bieber uses to help get that trademark glow. The purified water-based formula offers a boost of hydration while you tan and it's also alcohol, gluten, paraben and sulphate-free.
Buy here: Tan-Luxe The Hydrating Self-Tan Water, £34
The best fake tan accessories
Bondi Sands Reusable Application Mitt, £4.99
Not only does this help prevent uneven streaks, but it also protects your hands from getting stained. It's double-sided and washable, so reusable for future applications.
Buy here: Bondi Sands Reusable Application Mitt, £3.99
If you mess up? Try these:
Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser, £17.95, or Jolen Creme Bleach, £4.35
Over It helps to gently erase any tanning mishaps, or lets you start afresh thanks to the glycolic and micellar water-based formula. If you have stained knuckles or fake-tan palms, you can try a facial hair lightener to take out the tint – Jolen Creme Bleach needs to sit on the skin for about 10 minutes and is a tried and tested formula to remove the stains.
Buy here: Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser, £17.95
Buy here: Jolen Mild Creme Bleach, £10.99
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