If you’re prepping to go out out, then you’re gonna want to make sure you’re a bronzed babe with a perf’ tan. We’ve developed the ultimate guide to the best fake tan out there so you can be your own glow goals.
Wanna learn more about how to apply your tan? Read our guide on how to fake tan like a pro.
Best Fake Tan
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£14.99 Buy now with HQhair BONDI SANDS LIQUID GOLD SELF TANNING OIL
Buy now with free deliveryBest Fake Tan Oil
First up on our list of the best fake tan is the Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil. This dry oil formula doesn’t leave skin sticky or tacky, meaning you can apply and then dress straight after. Developing over 2-3 hours, your fake tan will last up to 7 days. Plus, unlike mousse formulas, you won’t need to wash this off when the developing time is up.
Plus, as the formula is made up of a mix of Argan Oil and Coconut Oil, expect skin to feel moisturised and smooth.
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£29.50 Buy now with HQhair VITA LIBERATA BODY BLUR INSTANT HD SKIN FINISH
Buy now with free deliveryBest Instant Fake Tan
Too busy to wait for your tan to develop? Or, let’s be honest, someone’s suggested an impromptu night out… tonight? We know the struggle, and we know what it’s like to need a tan quickly. Enter: instant fake tan.
Instant tans are generally a mousse or cream, meaning you can rub them in (using a tanning mitt) to the areas required, they’ll develop fairly quickly (generally within the hour), and you can wash them off the morning after in your shower. We’d advise against using these on a rainy day, however these are great for last minute plans. Social calendar, let’s do this.
The Vita Liberata Body Blur is the dream product for anyone who wants a glow without the commitment. Called “blur” thanks to its light-reflecting particles, skin appears almost airbrushed, minimising the appearance of blemishes and uneven skin tone. Wear on your body or face for an all over glow.
Plus, its mix of Shea Butter, Glycerin and Aloe Vera will leave skin feeling conditioned, without a need for body moisturiser afterwards.
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£27.50 Buy now with HQhair JAMES READ SLEEP MASK TAN FACE
Buy now with free deliveryBest Fake Tan for Face
If you’re after the best fake tan for your face, then opt for formulas which are lighter in texture. This means that they’re less likely to clog your pores (anything to avoid a breakout) and help to moisturise like your standard chosen skincare.
We love the James Read Sleep Mask Face Tan, which will slowly develop your facial skintone into a golden glow overnight. Apply this fast-drying formula to your face, neck and chest before going to bed, and wake up with clean sheets and a bronzed face. Feel free to layer night after night to build up the colour, or apply just once for a subtle glow.
Infused with Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid and Algae Extract, skin will also be moisturised, to ensure the shade is prolonged.
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£35.00 Buy now with HQhair DECLÉOR AROMA CONFORT GRADUAL GLOW HYDRATING BODY MILK
Buy now with free deliveryBest Gradual Tan
Not ready to commit to an evening of tanning (and waking up to slightly orange bedsheets)? No fear, babe. Treat yo’ self to one of the best gradual tans around.
Pre-mixed with moisturiser, these are meant to replace your daily body moisturiser. They still hydrate your skin, however have a small amount of fake tan mixed in, which develops over the hours after application. As the amount of tan is smaller than your standard self tanner, you can reapply quite a few times to build up the intensity of your colour, although for a quicker result there are dark gradual tan products also available.
The DECLÉOR gradual tan is one of our favourites. The light texture applies like a lotion, with its mix of Extract of Vanilla from Tahiti with Magnolia Essential Oil deeply nourishing dehydrated skin.
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Continue Reading: our guide to the best DECLÉOR products
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£13.50 Buy now with HQhair LANCASTER INFINITE BRONZE FACE BRONZER SPF15
Buy now with free deliveryBest Fake Tan with SPF for Face
Monaco skincare brand Lancaster specialise in suncare and self tanner, so they’re happily blended the two to make sure that you’re glow goals with a little protection at the same time.
The cream-gel formula instantly cools skin with every application, making it a great option to pack when you go on holiday. Wear alone or underneath makeup to lend your face a subtle glow, and rest in the knowledge you’ve applied SPF15 at the same time.
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Continue Reading: our guide to the Best Sun Cream
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£29.95 Buy now with HQhair FAKE BAKE FLAWLESS COCONUT FACE AND BODY TANNING SERUM
Buy now with free deliveryBest Fake Tan Serum
We can’t write a blog post about the best fake tan without including Fake Bake. The established self tanner brand has been tried by most people in the industry, and its innovative formulations have won awards ever since they were established.
Their fake tan serum is a self tanner combined with skincare. Like normal serum, it’s incredibly lightweight, melting into skin quickly after application with minimal stickiness. Hyaluronic Acid, Silk Amino Acids and Coconut Oil work to condition skin and work as an anti-ageing moisturiser.
Develop over a period of 4-6 to see a golden glow.
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£31.00 Buy now with HQhair ST. TROPEZ CLASSIC BRONZING LOTION
Buy now with free deliveryBest Fake Tan for Legs
If you’re looking for the perf’ tan for your legs, then your best options are between a mousse and lotion. We love the St Tropez Classic Bronzing Lotion for precise application, although make sure you buff it in to avoid a streaky application.
Infused with Vitamin E, this intensely hydrating lotion can be developed over a 4-12 hour period – depending on how deep you’d like the tan to be – without any of the traditional fake tan smell.
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£23.99 Buy now with HQhair SKINNY TAN 7 DAY TAN - ULTIMATE DARK
Buy now with free deliveryBest Dark Fake Tan
Next up on our list of best fake tan is the perfect option for anyone who like a deep or dark tan. SKINNY TAN – as seen on Dragon’s Den – have created the ultimate dark self tanner mousse, which will make sure your skin glow with a deep toned tan.
Plus, to get its name, SKINNY TAN products are infused with Sweet Almond Oill and Gurana to help reduce the appearance of imperfections as you buff in the product. As an added bonus, this is scented with an exotic fragrance, as opposed to the tradition biscuity fake tan smell.
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£30.00 Buy now with HQhair BALANCE ME GRADUAL TANNING DROPS
Buy now with free deliveryBest Tanning Drops
To develop a tan gradually, mix in fake tanning drops with your normal moisturiser – for both face and body – to slowly build up glow. We love the ones by Balance Me, a vegan and 98.8% natural formulation that will work with your daily moisturiser.
Expect your tan to build up gradually over time.
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£17.95 Buy now with HQhair Bronzie Ultimate Back & Body Tanning Mitt
Buy now with free deliveryBest Fake Tan Accessories
If you wanna make your fake tan routine extra AF, then accessorise to the max. You can’t apply it without a mitt after all, so it’s no surprise one made its way onto our list of the must-have best fake tans.
Bronzie are known for their back tanning mitt, which helps to alleviate the awkward “can’t reach my back” situation, and the onesie is perf’ for making sure that there are no ruined sheets come morning (RIP once white sheets we loved).
Now you know the best fake tan, it’s time to be a bronzed babe.
Shop fake tan.
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