Every year, like clockwork - usually as I'm crawling out from winter’s grip - I reach a point where my skin has lost all trace of colour, taking on a dull, lifeless grey tone. The kind of ashy complexion only a two-week escape to somewhere sunny could fix, but in the absence of funds to actually go on aforementioned holiday, I'm left with two options a) accepting my pallor or b) investing in a great fake tanner. Obviously, I went with the latter.
Traditional fake tan routines, including glove, mitts and the whole nines are not my style. As a very low-maintenance person, I prefer a no-frills approach which doesn't require spending two hours of my week in the bathroom, battling with a mitt (and gravity) to get into every nook and cranny. Usually, I stick to an easy gradual tan, but this year I discovered its older, wiser sister - the instant tan. Specifically, Isle of Paradise's £15 Instant Face Tanner.
www.lookfantastic.com
As a fake tan novice, I was a little apprehensive at first - but I quickly realised I had nothing to worry about. Just like I do with my go-to bronzing drops, I mixed a dime-sized amount of the tanner into my moisturiser and applied it as I normally would. And voilà - my skin instantly looked revived. I had that elusive ‘glow-from-within’ radiance I didn’t think was possible on UK soil. My mood lifted almost immediately - it was as if I’d gulped three green smoothies and just stepped off a plane from somewhere sunny.
I will say, that a little goes a long way, and the pump can sometimes dispense a large amount, so use it wisely to avoid wasting any product. I recommend blending it generously to avoid any patchiness and streaking. My biggest bugbear with the product is that it's only available in one shade, which might not work for all or compliment all skin tones. Consider my official plea for more inclusive shade ranges.
I now rely on this instant tanner for my ‘no-makeup makeup’ days - those times when all I want is a touch of concealer under my eyes, a swipe of blush, and I’m good to go. With the subtle bronzed glow it gives me, I actually can be low-maintenance.
Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.