Best fake tans 2020
St Barts maybe out of the question for now, so here's how to transform ashen limbs with our pick of the most realistic and best fake tan products for 2020
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. 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, summer 2020.
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.
Amanda Harrington The Body Primer, £22 – buy here
Amanda Harrington The Body Mousse, £36 – buy here
Amanda Harrington The Body Brush, £45 – buy here
2. St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel, £33
Jealous of people sporting their furloughed-tan limbs? Then get this: it's 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.
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 launching last year, has had a 30,000 person waiting list, and 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.
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.
James Read Gradual Tan – Click & Glow Tan Drops, £32 – 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.
Alleven Color Shield, £38 – 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.
Kissed by Mii Effortlessly Easy Tanning Lotion, £23.95 – buy here
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.
Bondi Sands Reusable Application Mitt, £4.99 – buy here
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.
Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser, £17.95 – buy here
Jolen Mild Creme Bleach, £4.35 – buy here
Best self tans of 2020 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.
Amanda Harrington The Body Primer, £22 – buy here
Amanda Harrington The Body Mousse, £36 – buy here
Amanda Harrington The Body Brush, £45 – buy here
2. St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel, £33
Jealous of people sporting their furloughed-tan limbs? Then get this: it's 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.
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 launching last year, has had a 30,000 person waiting list, and 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.
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.
James Read Gradual Tan – Click & Glow Tan Drops, £32 – 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. Alleven Color Shield, £38 – 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. Kissed by Mii Effortlessly Easy Tanning Lotion, £23.95 – buy here
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.
Bondi Sands Reusable Application Mitt, £4.99 – buy here
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.
Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser, £17.95 – buy here
Jolen Mild Creme Bleach, £4.35 – buy here
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