Fake tans with benefits!

This summer choose a fake tan that will give you more than just a glow!

Tan and Anti-ageing

Like me, you may have been giving your face loads of anti-ageing TLC in your beauty routine, but been ignoring your body. Well this summer switch things up and use a self-tanner that comes with added body benefits. There are just a few out this summer and Jessie J is a fan and can’t get enough of James Read’s new Bronzing Mousse - £24.50, which is packed with anti-oxidants, vitamin E and Co-Enzyme Q10 to protect skin from ageing, give a silky smooth finish and golden glow. Then for a lighter tan try, Sienna X’s new Q10 Bronzing Mousse - £24.95, which has all of the above but delivers a natural looking colour to the skin.  

Top tan tip I always use a tanning mitt to get an even coverage of fake tan. If using a mousse apply it directly onto the mitt and swipe over your body. If using a spray use the mitt to rub in.

Tan and moisturisation

The benefit Perfect for ‘tan-phoebes’ as not only do these light self-tans give a gradual tan (yes ladies that means no streaks), they also contain moisturising ingredients. Bioderma’s new Photoderm Autobronzant - £15, is a fine tanning mist that contains Glycerine to soak skin in moisture. Then Pro Vitamin B5 along with Kiwi extract is packed into Lisa Snowden’s new favourite fakie, Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Moisturizing Body Lotion - £29.50, which counteracts the drying effect of DHA. Result? A natural radiant glow and no signs of flaky skin, anywhere.  

Top tan tip Believe it or not I do get streaks when I apply my fake tan so I’ve found if you use an oil free body scrub and then apply a lighter self-tanner like these you pretty much get the perfect glow.

Tan and tone

The benefit I love that you can fight cellulite and give yourself a gorgeous glow all at the same time. What’s not to love about that, hey? Tan and tone fake tans work in the same way as traditional cellulite busters by including ingredients like caffeine to speed up the circulation, resulting in a reduced orange peel effect. Don’t panic, you get a good-to-glow too and as Fake Bake is loved by Sienna Miller you can pretty much see what shade you’ll go with their Lipo Bronze - £22, and St Tropez’s Gradual Tan Plus Firming 4 in 1 - £13.66, is your one-stop product for tanning, toning, firming and moisturising.  

Top tan tip My application advice for these products is to use firm circular motions to ensure that you get the full firming benefit as well as a golden tan.

Tan and Shimmer

The benefit A sun-kissed finish and a sexy shimmer! Perfect for using just before a big night out. These fake tans give you instant body confidence by delivering an instant colour and luminosity. Garnier’s spokesmodel Ashley Roberts agrees: ‘Tanning definitely gives me confidence as I like the glow it gives to my skin and I also think it makes you look slimmer,’ use one of her favourites, Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Self-tanning mousse - £13.99.  Also try one of my favourites, L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Selt-tanning Gel Tinted and Shimmering For Face & Body - £8.89, as I find it delivers a natural colour and shimmer without any rouge glittery bits.

Top tan tip The usual advice of applying self-tan the night before a big event doesn’t work with these, as the shimmer would wash off. Instead apply it in the morning so by the time you’re ready to party you’ll have a sexy shimmer and golden glow.  

Words: Charmian Harris