REVIEW: The Best Fake Tan's on the market

We all love to have a tan- somehow it makes us feel happier, sexier, confident and most importantly- slimmer! But we all know tanning is bad for you. Sitting out in the sun for too long and burning is not good for you skin and neither is a cheeky couple of minutes on the sunbed! So the way forward has to be the fake tan. Inconsistent, streaky, looks fake- I hear you cry? Well fear not!! Read on further for Stylist Magazine's guide (I'd love to take the credit!!) to a foolproof, flawless self-tanning....

FOR A LIGHT GLOW

Normal skin

Wash off-- Laguna Body Illuminator £33 Nars. This light-reflecting golden bronze gel illuminator adds a non-committal and universally flattering hint of warmth.

Gradual-- Transform Daily Self-Tan £15.99 Zen Tan. A light and creamy daily moisturiser with a hint of a tint. This adapts to every skin tone for a delicate glow.

Overnight-- Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Golden Mousse £14.99 L'Oreal Paris. This feather-light mousse instantly dries to a natural looking golden tint then softly develops into a more intense colour.

 

Dry Skin

Wash off -- Tinted Body Sun Glow Gel £65 Sisley. Sunflower Oil and Shea Butter hydrate while golden pearl extract veils skin leaving behind a semi-sheer luminous tint.

Gradual -- Gradual Tanning Lotion £62 La Prairie. As extract of prickly pear gently buffs skin, a hint of radiance gradually builds into a subtle, even glow after just two uses.

Overnight -- Sunless tan £35.75 Kerstin Florian.  This moisturising cream subtly warms the complexion giving a natural, sun-kissed colour. IT leaves skin feeling like its draped in silk!

                                    

Ageing Skin

Wash off-- Perfect Legs Skin Miracle £36 This Works. This uses caramel extract to temporarily tint the skin while a powerful complex of vitamin C & E evens the skin tone. use for an all-over glow.

Gradual -- Gradual Tan Body/Light £24.50 James Read. This is a risk-free option for pale skins. The colour deepens with each application while red algae extract helps to firm skin.

Overnight-- Soft Sun Self-Tan For English Roses £24 Abi O. Designed for skin that doesn't tan naturally. Ecocert organic ingredients leave skin softly algow.

      

FOR MEDIUM COLOUR

Normal Skin

Wash off -- Sun Shimmer Instant Tan Water Resistant medium Matt £6.99 Rimmel. This old faithful has been reformulated with splash-resistant technology and stays put until removed with soap.

Gradual -- Gradual Tan Plus Firming 4 in 1 £20 St Tropez. This quadruple action moisturiser improves skin ton, provides 24-hour hydration and a war sun-kissed shade.

Overnight -- Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Magic Mousse £23 Lancôme. An instant golden colour guide ensures even coverage with this mousse that develops quickly for a long-lasting, olive tan.

Dry Skin

Wash off-- Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Tinted 24h Hydrating Gel £9.99 Garnier. This non-sticky wash off gel is packed with cooling and hydrating apricot extract that freshens skin for a warm golden brown finish with a slight shimmer.

Gradual-- Self-Tanning Oil Natural Glow £28 Dior. This lightweight tanning oil is full of nourishing ingredients that melt into the skin for a natural looking luminous glow that glistens.

Overnight -- Self-Tanning Milk SPF6 £17.50 Clarins. The high level of moisturisers in this lightweight fluid ensures a streak-free, long-lasting and expensive-looking bronzed hue.

      

Ageing Skin

Wash off -- Mister Raident £32.50 Givenchy. This clear gel contains small beads of shimmery bronzing pigment packed full of antioxidants that burst on contact to ensure skin really glows.

Gradual -- Gradual 10 £17.99 Famous Dave's. An everyday moisturiser enriched with 10 active ingredients to boost skin's elasticity as it builds up to a flattering golden shade.

Overnight- Self-Tan Mousse Medium £25.50 U-Tan. With patented body sculpting technology and Himalayan wild indigo flower to reduce the appearance of cellulite, this develops into an event, sun-kissed colour.

 

FOR A DEEP TAN

Normal Skin

Wash Off-- One Night Tan £24, Model Co. A velvety, buildable mousse that delivers a non-transferrable deep bronzre tan with minimal effort for one night only.

Gradual-- Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion £5.69 Dove. This rich, everyday moisturiser has patented technology to enable it to penetrate the top three layers of the skin, ensuring a long-lasting tan that fades evenly.

Overnight-- Dark Foaming Mousse £27 He-Shi. This is one of the darkest self-tans available. The instant colour guide makes it foolproof to apply- you shouldnt miss a patch.

                       

Dry Skin

Wash Off-- Skinsheen Leg Spray in Dark £21.50 MAC. A spray-on foam that leaves behind a semi-sheer sheen with a dry-oil finish. Leaves skin feeling touchably soft.

Gradual-- Self-Tanning Gel £19.50 Biotherm. This transulent gel contains hydrating glycerine, apricot oil and vitamin E which nourishes skin as it gradually develops into the perfect deep hue.

Overnight-- Brazillian Tan Dark. £35 Rodial. A tinted gel laced with coconut oil that deeply moisturises as caramel extract provides an luxurious tan. Ideal for olive skintones.

              

Ageing Skin

Wash Off-- Airbrush Legs in Deep Glow £10.29 Sally Hansen. This of this as foundation for the skin. The spray gives a flawless coverage which hides freckles, veins and imperfections.

Gradual-- Lipo Bronze £22 Fake Bake. A lotion containing added firming ingredients that have a tightening effect on the skin. Develops into a rich, chocolatey hue.

Overnight-- Dark Glowing Self-Tan £23.95 Sienna X. This rich cream creates a deep, long-lasting glow. Packed full of antioxidants and skin-smoothing ingrediencts to treat and tone the skin as it tans. Glides on beautifully!