Ready, set, glow - these new body bronzers are promising to give you flawless skin this summer
1. Apply your faux glow in front of a mirror. Getting your tan on full-frontal allows you to see any bits you’ve missed.
2. Use long, sweeping motions with your tanning mitt. Follow the curves and shapes of your body – generally work everything downwards, in the direction of the hairs.
3. After applying your tan to hands and feet, use a baby wipe to clean over finger- and toenails. Fake tan can stain them, but giving them the once over won’t give the DIY tan game away.
4. For a quick-fix glow, mix two parts Sienna X Instant Bronzing Gel, £12.95, with one part shimmering body lotion, on your tanning mitt. Scrunch your hand together to ensure they’re well blended, then swipe over legs, arms and beyond.
See what the Notebook beauty team think of the best new products hitting beauty shelves now.
1. St. Moriz AdvancedPro Formula Velvet Finish Tanning Gel In Dark, £7.99, Superdrug
What it does: The velvet formula of this means it applies and dries quickly, and feels silky to touch. The scent ‘technology’ isn’t very techy, but it does have a fresh, cotton-like smell that masks the DHA (that’s what makes you smell biscuity!).
Beauty writer Zoe says: "St Moriz is good value, and has just gone a little bit luxury too, with this velvety number. It glides on easily, the base colour gives a good indication of the shade it develops to, and the smell is very un tan-like! No stickiness and no streaks. Full marks from this tan-a-holic."
Score: 10/10
2. St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Medium, £14.50, Boots
What it does: A new, deeper version of the in-shower gradual tan that sold out everywhere last year. You wash in the shower, apply, wait 3 minutes then rinse off.
Beauty ed Lynne says: "The formula turned into a golden foam so I didn’t feel in danger of missing bits. It’s still a gradual tan, but there was definitely a visible, streak-free glow the next day.
Great for when you want to tan slowly (but not TOO slowly) or to top up a fading base colour. I liked having a tan developing on clean skin, rather than basting in a mousse for hours."
Score: 9/10
3. Benefit Hoola Zero Tanlines Body Bronzer, £19.50
What it does: An instant tan for anyone who’s ever stained their palms applying a ‘temporary’ glow. This wash-off body bronzer has its own built-in applicator so you can blend it fast without risking ‘fag fingers’.
Beauty ed Lynne says: "I love the way Benefit has put the sponge into the cap itself so even a wally like me can’t lose it. The bronzer itself is one of the best instants I’ve tried too, a great colour and lovely gel texture that doesn’t cling to dry bits."
Score: 8/10
4. Sienna X High Intensity Express Tan In Light/Medium, £24.95
What it does: This tan speeds up the whole process by developing in just an hour. After the 60 minutes, you can rinse it off in the shower, but it’ll continue to develop for the next few hours. It’s got avocado extract, Q10 for anti-ageing and aloe vera to soften skin at the same time as bronzing it.
Beauty writer Zoe says: "I love a speedy tan, because there is nothing worse than making fresh sheets all dirty. I apply some of this, sit and watch TV for an hour, shower, then go to bed clean AND a bit bronzed. The smell is OK, but it doesn’t actually matter, as it gets washed off so quickly. By the morning I’m a lovely, golden, full tan colour.