I’m a beauty editor that hates fake tan – but I’ve finally found one that works, and it’s £9.99

I’M A beauty editor with an aversion to fake tan – not because I don’t want to be golden brown, quite the opposite in fact (yes, I should know better), but I’m lazy and I find it too high-maintenance.

It turns into a three-day process by the time you’ve shaved, exfoliated and let it marinate, and before you know it you’re as stripy as the zebra print that’s all over the high street right now.

So, I’ve not touched a bottle in years.

On a mission to ensure my pasty limbs don’t scare people this summer, as well as finding a way to fake tan that doesn’t feel like a colossal effort, I spoke to tanners to the stars and tried pretty much every formula I could get my hands on.

Here’s everything I learned about faking it so well that nobody will ever know. . .

IF IN DOUBT, USE A MOUSSE

“Tanning products that have a guide colour – like mousse – are ideal for nervous tanners, as they offer an immediate glow, so you know where it’s been applied,” explains St Tropez tanning expert Sophie Evans.

“Not only does the guide colour help ensure an even finish, but mousse also gives you more time to get it right,” says skincare and tanning expert Michaella Bolder.

“Mousse doesn’t feel sticky, but it also doesn’t dry too quickly, so it’s easier to fix mistakes. Plus, it’s water-based, so moves around the body effortlessly. Whereas lotions and creams can get a bit sticky on the skin when they warm up,” adds Michaella.

ALWAYS APPLY WITH A MITT

“You should use a mitt, no matter what tanning product you’re applying, because it makes the job a lot easier,” says celebrity tanner James Harknett, who counts Kylie Minogue and Daisy Edgar-Jones as regular clients.

Sophie agrees: “Always apply self-tan products, including gradual tan, with a clean tanning mitt (or a black sock if you don’t have a mitt).”

The clean part is equally as important, or you could end up with old fake-tan residue mixing with the fresh stuff, making it look patchy.

Nothing says summer like sun-kissed skin[/caption]

EXFOLIATE EVERY WEEK

Whether you’re tanning or not, exfoliate!

That way, you don’t have to factor it into your tanning schedule, as it’s part of your regular self-care routine.

“Fake tan works by reacting with the top layer of dead skin cells – if there are too many it will become patchy, and if there aren’t enough, it won’t develop as strongly – which is why you want to exfoliate around 24 hours before tanning,” explains Sophie.

After tanning, wait a few days before exfoliating again as normal.

“This helps the tan fade evenly, and allows you to reapply without build-up,” says celebrity tanner James Read, who’s behind Naomi Campbell and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s faux glows.

On holiday, make sure you buff your skin at the end of the day with an exfoliator, as chlorine breaks tan down faster.

James Harknett encourages his clients to look for freshwater pools or to swim in the sea if they want their tan to last longer.

“Sea water is much kinder to a tan, but while you’re on the beach, wear something on your feet, otherwise the sand will exfoliate the tan away in seconds,” he says.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MOISTURISE

“I apply moisturiser all over my body – it creates a buffer between your skin and the tan.

“That is one of my secrets that I don’t tend to share with anyone, but I’m sharing with you,” reveals Michaella.

James Read agrees. “While you can just cover the dry areas, such as hands, feet and elbows, if you’d like a longer-lasting tan I’d advise full-body moisturisation.”

Much like using a mitt, this applies even if you’re using a gradual formula.

“Remember, your gradual tan contains the active ingredient DHA, so it will adhere to any dry areas if you haven’t put a barrier on,” warns Michaella.

This seems sensible to me – and after giving it a go, I notice my tanning product hasn’t collected in my hair follicles like it usually does.

All the experts stress that moisturisation has to come from an oil-free formula, though.

“Bear in mind that massaging oil on top of your self-tan will lighten it, and regular use will remove the colour completely,” explains Sophie.

A moisturising formula will help fake tan last longer[/caption]

START WITH YOUR SHINS

Concentrate on the larger areas of skin, working upwards.

“You don’t want to be bending down and creasing the tan on your stomach as you do your legs,” explains James Harknett.

Avoid problematic areas, such as knees and elbows. “Use two or three pumps of tan for each large area, and reload the mitt before moving on to the next,” says Michaella.

Once they’re done, only then do you move on to dry bits.

“With the excess tan that’s on the mitt, buff left to right over the knee area once or twice. Do the same with your foot, flexing your joints as you go to ensure no areas are missed and that tan doesn’t sit in skin folds,” she adds.

MORE IS NOT MORE

Adding more layers doesn’t increase the strength of your fake tan or create a darker colour.

If you want a deeper tan, pick a darker shade or apply it on consecutive nights.

“Your skin takes what it can from the tanning agent to tan you evenly. Say you did your arms once and your legs twice, once you shower it’s all going to be a similar colour,” says James Harknett.

That being said, the experts unanimously advise a couple of layers per application – that way, you’re less likely to miss any areas for a flawless finish.

RELEASE THE PRESSURE

If you press too hard when applying it, you’re going to be taking the tan off as you go.

“Don’t work the product into the skin, as this will break down the colour – instead, just gently lay it on to the skin,” advises Sophie.

When Michaella explains her approach to me, she emphasises that rather than rubbing, it’s best to use light, sweeping motions coupled with a “press and dab” technique.

“And make sure you have enough product on your mitt so that you’re not dragging a dry mitt around the body and disturbing tan you’ve already applied, because that’s when you get streaks,” she adds.

Fake tan has finally had a glow-up, and doesn’t look fake any more[/caption]

RAPID TANS WORK (especially on more mature skin)

It turns out they’re not a gimmick – rapid tans really do work faster.

“It’s a bit of an industry secret, but rapid tans have a higher percentage of DHA in them than other formulas and can be up to twice as strong,” says James Harknett.

But they’re not only good for the time-poor.

“Rapid tans are great for more mature skin.

” When you have fine lines and folds in the skin, tan can sit in them, so a formula you wash off sooner is going to minimise that problem,” explains Michaella.

THE BEST FAKE TANS TO TRY NOW

After lots of trial and error (seriously, I must have tried more than 50 different tans), these are my new crowned favourite fake-tan formulas:

The universal shade

A violet base will suit all skin tones[/caption]

St Tropez Self Tan Ultra Dark Violet Bronzing Mousse, £35

If your tan looks too orange, yellow or green, the violet pigments in St Tropez Self Tan Ultra Dark Violet Bronzing Mousse, £35, will stay sun-kissed bronze on all skin tones – and leave a very believable bronze hue behind.

The mousse dries quickly, so it’s better to do small areas at a time to avoid a streaky or patchy finish.

I’ve found two hours of wear before rinsing gives me the perfect post-holiday glow, but it can be left on overnight for a deeper tan.

The fast-worker

A tan in just an hour? Count me in![/caption]

Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, £16.99

I live my life on fast-forward, so anything that saves me time is a winner.

Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, £16.99, can be washed off after just one hour for a sun-kissed tint, or left on for two or three hours for a deeper colour.

Whatever you choose, you won’t end up with stained sheets – which is one of my biggest tan pet peeves.

The face favourite

Hydrating and spot-safe, this tanning serum doubles up as skincare[/caption]

Self Glow By James Read Dusk To Dawn Overnight Tan Facial, £44

I have oily, acne prone skin so usually only tan as far as my chin, and let bronzer do the leg work on my face to avoid the risk of fake-bake-induced breakouts.

Self Glow By James Read Dusk To Dawn Overnight Tan Facial, £44, has completey changed that.

It contains skin-loving hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and fermented mushroom to help hydrate skin and reduce inflammation – so it doesn’t catch around scabby spots.

Plus it’s clear, so I don’t need to worry about it tinting my blonde hair.

The gradual glow

Gradual tan has finally grown up, and this is a bargain[/caption]

Tanologist Daily Glow Firming Gradual Tan Lotion, £9.99

I like to see results immediately after trying a new product, so gradual tan has never been my favourite.

That was until I tried Tanologist Daily Glow Firming Gradual Tan Lotion, £9.99, which is packed with hydrating squalane and glycerin to counteract drying DHA so it feels more like a moisturising body lotion than a fake tan (and anything that does two jobs in one gets my attention).

There are two shade options, so you can pick the one that suits your skin tone or desired colour.

And rather than having to reapply it for weeks, I noticed a difference from day two.

The hands-free mist

For the ultimate weightless tan, a face mist is your best bet[/caption]

Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist, £31

Skincare mists are my Kryptonite – because of their weightless way of hydrating skin.

Looking at my desk now, there’s not one but four stacked neatly waiting to be spritzed.

I worried a tanning mist might be a recipe for disaster, but Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist, £31, is far from it.

The formula is non-comedogenic, so won’t block pores on spot-prone areas, and the super-fine mist contains skin-brightening vitamin C, as well as calming aloe vera and camomile to care for sensitive skin.

Most importantly, it doesn’t leave a patchy finish.

Tan-tastic!