What is the beauty editor’s equivalent of a baker’s soggy bottom? Surely it’s DayGlo orange ankles or rust-coloured streaks on wrists. I have never mastered the art of self-tanning: too fussy, too smelly, too much bother. It’s why you can trust me when it comes to choosing the easiest body and face tanners and bronzers. If they aren’t effective and affordable, they are not worth the space on your bathroom shelf. These are the rare exceptions.
1. The foolproof foam
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Kit
This comes in two shades and is the easiest self-tanner for the body you can find. It’s a foam with an inbuilt guide colour, which means it’s straightforward to apply, but importantly it comes with the right tools: a mitt for larger-area application and a buffing brush to blend out troublesome wrists, faces, knees, ankles (you know the drill). If in doubt, go for the lighter shade. £45; spacenk.com
Caribé Self-Tanning Mousse Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt Shaping Stick Advertisement Bali Body Body Highlighter Jergens Natural Glow + Firming Daily Moisturizer Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner For Face L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Long Wear Matte Bronzer Isle Of Paradise Pro-Glow Spray Tan Mister Advertisement Self Glow By James Read Break of Dawn Rejuvenating Glow Mask Find @nadinebaggott on Instagram and YouTube where she answers all your beauty questions2. The true tone tan for darker skins
Dark-skinned women don’t self-tan, right? Wrong (I remember a tanning artist telling me how Rihanna loves the glow of self-tanner), which is why Caribé is such an exciting brand. There are two shades of tanning mousse, both with a flattering soft-focus guide colour and a mitt for ease of application. C94 is for skin with olive undertones and C60 for darker skin. Both even out skin tone and give instant colour that also develops over time. £25, in two shades; caribe.uk3. The superserum
There is no simpler way to self-tan your face than with a slow-build hyaluronic acid serum with just a hint of self-tan, and this is the OG. Straight after cleansing morning or night simply apply a few drops to skin and the colour develops over the next few days. Keep going until you’re happy with your final shade. £36; spacenk.com4. The cream colour for all faces
Mario is the hottest make-up artist in Los Angeles, where tanned skin is essential but sun damage is a no-no. So little wonder he has created the perfect bronzing cream with a filter-like finish. It’s subtle, easy to blend and there is a colour for every skin tone, each with a flattering glow but no sparkle. £32, in six shades; sephora.co.uk5. The glowtion
This is a pretty golden-peach cream, but before you run for the hills it can be added to a body lotion, to your self-tanner or just used subtly along shins, shoulders and collar bones (no Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz here). £24; asos.com6. The seamless slow tanner
For a brief while ten years ago, this product was available on the British high street, but now you have to order it on Amazon. I have no idea why because it is without a doubt the best slow-build daily body moisturiser with a hint of DHA (the sugar that oxidises to create the basis of all self-tanners). It has an instant subtle sheen, moisturises like the best everyday body lotion and over three days creates the prettiest, natural-looking tan. £20.96; amazon.co.uk7. The sleek sachet
We all know we should exfoliate before tanning, but what if you forget? This handy wipe is impregnated with glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids to smooth skin, hydrate and rid yourself of any old tan or dead skin build-up, then delivers a hefty dose of self-tanner while you sleep. Perfect for travel, on the go touch-ups and one-step tanning with ease. £39 for a pack of 20 in 2 shades; feelunique.com8. The matte marvel
A bronzer should be matte and flat because it is formulated to mimic a tan, not a glow (highlighter is for that). And this one comes in three shades, works just as well as a contourer/eyeliner/eyeshadow as it does a classic bronzer, and performs like a much more expensive product. The secret is to choose a supersoft large kabuki brush to buff it in. £12.99, in three shades; boots.com9. The clever mist
This brand has long had tanning waters, but this one is clever because of the 360-degree mister applicator. It means your skin is covered in a superfine mist of tanning water, minimising drips and splodges. Once empty you can refill with any other tanning water. £10.50; cultbeauty.co.uk10. The 20-minute mask
This took James Read two years to develop but it works in just 20 minutes to give the most subtle radiance and glow with the tiniest amount of DHA and a lot of humectants and skin boosters. In other words, this is skincare meets self-tan at its best and is for anyone scared of self-tanning. PS: James has the best overnight tan facial serum too. £39; spacenk.com and jamesreadglow.com
