In New York, London, Milan and Paris the world’s biggest fashion houses presented crochet beachwear, slinky 90’s slip dresses and romantic ruffles all best served with glowing skin that came courtesy of the latest faux tans – A catwalk takeaway infinitely more affordable than the clothes themselves…
But it certainly wasn’t a case of one-shade fits all, with considerable variety both in skin shade and finish. “The colour of our skin is as personal as a fingerprint and modern tanners are now addressing this individuality,” says Vita Liberata Founder Alyson Hogg. “The products we’re creating are designed to enhance each skin tone for a beautiful and bespoke finish."
Luckily, an emerging breed of sophisticated glow-giving products has been designed to offer you endless easy options; from the barely there no-tan-tan, to a deep fresh from the Riviera (albeit under a sun umbrella) finish. And all while ensuring the process is quicker and easier than ever before.
Hello Smart Bronzers
The latest bronzers come with a full roster of added benefits. Add one or two drops of Vita Liberata Self Tanning Anti Age Serum, £29 to your moisturiser to achieve a healthy flush and amp it up to four when seeking the glow achieved after a long hot summer.
Skincare buffs will adore the lightweight ESPA Gradual Tan Face Serum, £24, which not only smells divine and gives an the instant glow, but can be worn under makeup and works intuitively with your skin to create a bespoke colour.
Time starved? Try James Read’s genius Sleep Mask Tan Go Darker Face, £25, which bags a multitude of luxe skin treats, like black rose oil, aloe and grapefruit juice so that you awake to a perky, glowing face.
Liz Earle’s Sheer Skin Tint Bronzing Fluid, £24.50 is equally fab. Essentially a facial in a tube, it’s packed with Vitamin E, sea algae extract, borage and avocado oils to simultaneously firm and hydrate and lends a modern, matte finish.
Meet The Modern Wash-Offs
We know, we know, wash-off tans were originally off-key in colour and ran at even the mention of a margarita. Luckily the latest incarnations are a very different breed. Whip them on and appreciate their sheer, buildable formulas and impressive staying power.
From the brand behind the first ever face BB comes Garnier BB Body No Streaks Bronzer, £7.99. Expect the same flawless, non transeferable finish, plus mega hydration.
Bye bye bruises… The matte, mousey texture of Vita Liberata Body Blur, £29.95 lends an airbrushed finish that easily disguises veins and imperfections.
In a rush? If it’s only a hint of tint you’re after try Selfie Tan’n Go, £11.98. Encapsulating tiny bronzing beads in a fragrance-free gel, it sinks in so fast you can dress straight away.
Keen to add a subtle gleam to limbs? Try the illuminating This Works Perfect Legs Sculpt & Shine, £28. Its cooling metal massage applicator soothes heavy legs as well.
For Fake Tan Phobics
If the thought of fake tan has racing for the nearest exit you aren’t alone. That said we beg you reconsider – The latest gradual tans are streak free, need zero maintenance and are an excellent entry-point into tanning. We’ve trialled these so you don’t have to….
Simply spray Tan Luxe The Water, £33 Simply colourless, raspberry oil and vitamin infused water onto your bod – wait for it to dry and admire a seamless glow in 4-6 hours – no mitt required.
If you love St Tropez’s In-Shower Gradual Tan, but long for a a slightly deeper finish, try their darker shade, Medium, £14.50 which does just thing in the same three minutes.
Alternatively why not try a pre-shower tan? NKD SKN Pre-Shower 10 Minute Tan, £13.99, is the first of it’s kind. Apply 10 mins before you hop in the shower, then simply wash and glow – sorry go.
All Hale The Multi-Tans
Today’s tans come with a whole host of added benefits that are perfect for the time starved, (or impatient) customer. Whether you choose to tan and sculpt, tone, hydrate or nourish is up to you….
Tone & Tan He-Shi Body Sculpting Gradual Tan, £22.50 harnesses the active slimming ingredient ‘Intenslim’ to help tighten all the right places, while capsulated caffine breaks down fat cells to reduce cellulite.
Superfood Delivery Fake Bake’s Coconut Tanning Serum, £29.95 harnesses a generous dose of nourishing coconut oil that’ll leave your limbs tip top.
The HIT Express Insta-tans are trending and we’ve fallen hard for Sienna X’s High Intensity Tanning Express 1 Hour Tan, £25, which works so fast you don’t have to as much as rumple your crisp white sheets.
Organic Overdose Sensitive types should try Evolve Organic Beauty Sunless Glow Body Lotion, £16. Packed with shea butter, papaya, aloe and pomegranate, it’ll leave a subtle hint of tint minus any irritation.
Do Wear Body Bling
Long glossy limbs wowed audiences at Sophia Webster and Issa this summer and if you didn’t know about the leg-lengthening powers of a glossy sheen you will after trying these…
Polished Perfection
Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Dry Oil, £14.99, is satisfyingly glossy, but has no shimmer or sparkle so wont clash with your day-time diamonds.
Glistening Glow
Vita Liberata Marula Dry Oil Self Tan, £39 is your golden ticket to subtle shimmer. Tiny metallic flecks are seemingly non-existent but give a bronze goddess glow whenever light hits.
Party Sparkle
Add a few pumps of Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess, £9.99 to your fave moisturiser, or for big nights out, straight onto the skin. You’ll look lit from within. (which is probably why the Kardashian Klan can’t live without it.)
Credits:
Photographs: Simon Emmett
Styling: Rose Beer
Words: Samantha Freedman
Model: Lais Oliveira at Supreme Model Management
Tanning and Skin Finishing: Vita Liberata
Make-up: Jo Strettell at Tracey Mattingly using L’Oreal Paris
Hair: Johnnie Sapong at Jed Root
Nails: Lisa Pena Wong at Opus Beauty using L’Oreal Paris
Production: Flower Ave Production
Lais wears: Slashed Dakotta swimsuit, £225, fishnet Aziza swimsuit, £195, high cut Reina Olga swimsuit, £125.
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