Revisiting this post now! Evergreen advice Esther, thank you. Just bought some Summer Body plus an applicator brush as recommended in The Times, hopeful for good results for Cornwall trip this weekend! X
During lockdown we bought a pop up tent and spray machine for £100. My husband trained himself to spray using you tube videos and he’s brilliant at it! He sprays me all the time. True love ❤️
I do rate the Isle of Paradise tanning drop things that you add to your normal nighttime moisturiser. I am fair and only need a couple of drops to give a glow. Also a big Garnier gradual tan fan for body. I only ever use gradual tans at home though as have had some awful outcomes and always before a wedding or some other high stakes social occasion. Scrubbing your legs with toothpaste is not a fun way to spend the pre-gaming period.
And if you're still too lazy/scared to do fake tan, but you really need it because your legs are ghostly, then wash-off fake tan, AKA leg makeup, is EXCELLENT. I started with Sally Hansen but have since moved to the Vita Liberata Body Blur stuff and I love it. Can't go wrong with it, no streakiness or smell because it's not a fake tan - just put it on before you go out and it looks amazing. Doesn't run in the rain (I've tested) and does need to be scrubbed off hard in the shower otherwise you will have very streaky towels.
Garnier summer body is the BEST. And it’s cheap as chips too. I also rate the St Tropez face mist thing. Spray it on after night cream and wake up looking like you’ve caught the sun while gardening. It has never gone orange or looked dodgy, and I put it on very carelessly.
The self tanner from Tropic skincare is very subtle & doesn’t have too many nasty chemicals in it. It takes the ‘seen from outer space whiteness’ from my legs before I venture out with bare legs but builds nicely if you use it daily. I also use a tanning mitt which makes the whole process much simpler, quicker & less messy.
Just to endorse the tanning mitt. It’s a game changer. As I hate overly specific kit, I use those micro fibre cleaning cloths. I just check them in the wash afterwards and don’t have to buy anything specific
Haha this is me! I don’t tan at all. I just seem to go bright white with splodges of burnt red marks. Oh and don’t get me started on the insect bites. I’ve recently had a Sienna X spray tan at my local salon. It’s ok. Looks great for two days but then starts fading in patches. I’ve bought a Nivea gradual tan so will see how I get on with that. Roll on Autumn!
One tip - a friend Calibre taught me - that is GOLDEN. Vaseline. Put it across your toes, knees, elbows etc. and rub it in so you don't get weird streaky bits where it is browner in one patch. Frankly, so you don't look dirty, like you haven't showered in a week. I also think a tan mitt is essential. Game changer. I only use St. Tropez - the foam stuff. I also use it - go out in it - and sleep in it - as it can be applied and you can go out immediately. It is a bind. But honestly my veins are showing through now (anyone know a greta red spider vein treatment person do holler) and i'm Irish pale and basically I am see through.
I did my first fake tan of the year on the weekend. It’s pricey but I highly recommend Amanda Harrington. 3 different undertones and it doesn’t stink of biscuits
I’ve never felt so seen, lol. Bondi Sands Gradual Tan is v good. And I’ve always thought Palmers gradual tan is too. For actual fake tan, St Moritz is brilliant. They have a light mousse one that has ‘peachy undertones’ for paler skin and I’m just so impressed with it. I have a wealthy friend who always looks impeccable bronzed and she told me her secret was St Moritz, I’d always assumed it was an expensive one. Before an actual holiday a lady with a pop up tent is essential 👍
I am also looking for a good one for pale-skinned people! Have previously used Dove which is OK, but will definitely try the Garnier one now. What I think I really need is an instant subtle tinted tanner to cover the thread veins on my legs... something a bit like the Sally Hansen one but easier to apply... I think there's something called Body Blur, but I could have just made that up?!
yes it's called Vita Liberata Body Blur and the people who like it are evangelical, though I've never got on with it myself. It's definitely worth a crack though as it's got die-hard fans
What an excellently timely article for me. I have just purchased a bottle of isle of paradise after seeing it recommended somewhere. Despite your warnings I will give it a bash but will follow your instructions and see how I go. I am so so pale, practically blue and virtually transparent and glow (not in a good way) if my bare legs are out. I have fake tanned once or twice before with medium to low success but I was slap dash in application and certainly didn't apply carefully enough. Will report back if my children laugh at me for being the same hue as Donald Trump.
I'm the palest person I've ever met (my mum is your colouring Esther, and she looks brown when her freckles join up - I'm so jealous of her). I'm a fan of Boots No7 Perfectly Bronzed quick dry tinted lotion. It's very easy and non-streaky.
Revisiting this post now! Evergreen advice Esther, thank you. Just bought some Summer Body plus an applicator brush as recommended in The Times, hopeful for good results for Cornwall trip this weekend! X
During lockdown we bought a pop up tent and spray machine for £100. My husband trained himself to spray using you tube videos and he’s brilliant at it! He sprays me all the time. True love ❤️
I do rate the Isle of Paradise tanning drop things that you add to your normal nighttime moisturiser. I am fair and only need a couple of drops to give a glow. Also a big Garnier gradual tan fan for body. I only ever use gradual tans at home though as have had some awful outcomes and always before a wedding or some other high stakes social occasion. Scrubbing your legs with toothpaste is not a fun way to spend the pre-gaming period.
And if you're still too lazy/scared to do fake tan, but you really need it because your legs are ghostly, then wash-off fake tan, AKA leg makeup, is EXCELLENT. I started with Sally Hansen but have since moved to the Vita Liberata Body Blur stuff and I love it. Can't go wrong with it, no streakiness or smell because it's not a fake tan - just put it on before you go out and it looks amazing. Doesn't run in the rain (I've tested) and does need to be scrubbed off hard in the shower otherwise you will have very streaky towels.
Another vote for Vita Liberata Body Blur. I switched to this a few year ago, it truly is EXCELLENT!
Garnier summer body is the BEST. And it’s cheap as chips too. I also rate the St Tropez face mist thing. Spray it on after night cream and wake up looking like you’ve caught the sun while gardening. It has never gone orange or looked dodgy, and I put it on very carelessly.
"I put it on very carelessly" - this is extremely high praise
The self tanner from Tropic skincare is very subtle & doesn’t have too many nasty chemicals in it. It takes the ‘seen from outer space whiteness’ from my legs before I venture out with bare legs but builds nicely if you use it daily. I also use a tanning mitt which makes the whole process much simpler, quicker & less messy.
Ecolab from Australia. Will ship to UK: https://ecotan.com.au/
No nasty chemicals, totally organic.
And yes, use a tanning mitt!
Just to endorse the tanning mitt. It’s a game changer. As I hate overly specific kit, I use those micro fibre cleaning cloths. I just check them in the wash afterwards and don’t have to buy anything specific
Haha this is me! I don’t tan at all. I just seem to go bright white with splodges of burnt red marks. Oh and don’t get me started on the insect bites. I’ve recently had a Sienna X spray tan at my local salon. It’s ok. Looks great for two days but then starts fading in patches. I’ve bought a Nivea gradual tan so will see how I get on with that. Roll on Autumn!
One tip - a friend Calibre taught me - that is GOLDEN. Vaseline. Put it across your toes, knees, elbows etc. and rub it in so you don't get weird streaky bits where it is browner in one patch. Frankly, so you don't look dirty, like you haven't showered in a week. I also think a tan mitt is essential. Game changer. I only use St. Tropez - the foam stuff. I also use it - go out in it - and sleep in it - as it can be applied and you can go out immediately. It is a bind. But honestly my veins are showing through now (anyone know a greta red spider vein treatment person do holler) and i'm Irish pale and basically I am see through.
CLAIRE not calibre. Sigh.
I did my first fake tan of the year on the weekend. It’s pricey but I highly recommend Amanda Harrington. 3 different undertones and it doesn’t stink of biscuits
Oh yes I forgot about amanda Harrington, I must give that a whirl
I’ve never felt so seen, lol. Bondi Sands Gradual Tan is v good. And I’ve always thought Palmers gradual tan is too. For actual fake tan, St Moritz is brilliant. They have a light mousse one that has ‘peachy undertones’ for paler skin and I’m just so impressed with it. I have a wealthy friend who always looks impeccable bronzed and she told me her secret was St Moritz, I’d always assumed it was an expensive one. Before an actual holiday a lady with a pop up tent is essential 👍
I have also heard good things about St Moritz - will seek it out!
I am also looking for a good one for pale-skinned people! Have previously used Dove which is OK, but will definitely try the Garnier one now. What I think I really need is an instant subtle tinted tanner to cover the thread veins on my legs... something a bit like the Sally Hansen one but easier to apply... I think there's something called Body Blur, but I could have just made that up?!
yes it's called Vita Liberata Body Blur and the people who like it are evangelical, though I've never got on with it myself. It's definitely worth a crack though as it's got die-hard fans
Thank you for clarifying! I might give it a whirl then...
I am a complete disaster when it comes to fake tan but sometimes the milk bottle legs need something to take the dead hue off them.
The only fake tan I’ve ever liked is TanOrganic oil. It applies so easily because it’s an oil, no patchy bits & can be built up if required
What an excellently timely article for me. I have just purchased a bottle of isle of paradise after seeing it recommended somewhere. Despite your warnings I will give it a bash but will follow your instructions and see how I go. I am so so pale, practically blue and virtually transparent and glow (not in a good way) if my bare legs are out. I have fake tanned once or twice before with medium to low success but I was slap dash in application and certainly didn't apply carefully enough. Will report back if my children laugh at me for being the same hue as Donald Trump.
I'm the palest person I've ever met (my mum is your colouring Esther, and she looks brown when her freckles join up - I'm so jealous of her). I'm a fan of Boots No7 Perfectly Bronzed quick dry tinted lotion. It's very easy and non-streaky.