At last, the days are getting longer and the sun seems to be making a regular appearance. My wardrobe is starting to transition from bursting with warm jumpers, to being filled with cotton dresses and little cover ups - and there's only so long the black opaques can hold on for. As a pasty pale Brit that has less colour than a freshly plucked soon-to-be roast chicken, I've spent years coating myself in brown stuff between the months of April and September. A little touch of tan has always given me the confidence I need to strut down the street with the wind blowing in my hair, but over the years I've become a little complacent and more accepting of my natural tone; although I love the idea of a tan, I've definitely become less likely to invest a significant amount of time in achieving it. (In all honesty I'd rather be taking a long hot bath, catching up on Netflix or sipping on a cup of tea.) Any product that promises a subtle glow with minimal fuss, and with the added bonus of drying super quickly, is definitely more likely to make me sit up and take notice. What's great about this time of year is the pure volume of innovation hitting stores; in an attempt to capitalise on our pale skinned insecurities, brands are launching lightweight, effective, delicately scented and moisturising tans that are easy as pie to apply. Here are five of my current faves, and the bottles I'm going to be relying on this summer.
![]()
1. Bondi Sands Liquid Gold (£14.99)
The perfect antidote to those gloopy, runny and confusing tans you could never quite get your head around, this incredibly lightweight dry oil formula dries in seconds but develops over a few hours. You simply spritz over skin and buff it in using a mitt, but unlike a lot of other tanning products you can get dressed and go instantly; there's no transference, no streaking, no 'wash off' required and it lasts for up to a week. Infused with the fresh scent of coconut and hydrating Argan Oil, Liquid Gold is a complete pleasure to apply and gradually fades evenly over a number of days.
2. Fake Bake Flawless Coconut Tanning Serum (£29.95)
I've never particularly gotten on with Fake Bake over the years, preferring to opt for something altogether less orange - however, this new product totally turns everything I know about the brand on its head. This lightweight serum is enriched with coconut oil (a natural 'anti-ageing' ingredient that's a highly effective source of moisture, to nourish, firm and improve skin tone,) as well as hyluronic acid to attract moisture to the skin over time. It's essentially a tanning-skincare hybrid that's a pleasure to use, dries incredibly quickly and leaves behind an even glowing tan; I'm obsessed.
3. St Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Body Lotion (£14.50)
You may notice a new look - and more importantly a new scent - from St Tropez hitting stores over the coming months, as they update their iconic packs with something a little more streamlined and modern. They've been working tirelessly to overcome the classic DHA scent that we all loathe, instead creating a fragrance that works with rather than against the naturally occurring perfume. The result is not only a luxurious and quickly absorbing cream that adds a subtle tint to skin while adding a touch of moisture, but a scent you'll finally be on board with.
4. Dr Organic Self Tan Mousse (£14.99)
If you're new to tanning, mousses are a great way to overcome the fear and ensure you get a streak-free finish first time. This 'natural' alternative from Dr Organic may not be top of your list if you're not overly concerned with ingredients, but it's definitely worth checking out. Formulated using a blend of bioactive, natural and organic ingredients (including organic Argan Oil, an incredibly rich source of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids,) this lightweight mousse is available in three shades and provides a delicate colour result. The mousse formula also ensures you get more applications for your buck, meaning it's an affordable investment that will see you through the summer.
5. Vita Liberata Body Blur (£29.50)
One of my new favourite products ahead of the forthcoming summer season, this is basically a BB Cream for the body. The lightweight yet rich formula covers imperfections, smoothes skin appearance, provides a natural-looking tan that washes off at the end of the day but still hydrates for up to 72 hours. Shea Butter and Aloe Vera extracts condition skin, while light reflecting elements help provide a 'photo-ready' skin finish that I’m sure you’ll love. Although this doesn't develop or leave a long-lasting tan, it's a great 'quick fix' when you just want to give your legs a bit of a colour boost. Just be sure to only use a little and really buff it into skin, otherwise you'll overload and create a patchy finish!
Have you tried any of these five tanning products? Do you have any other faves you couldn't be without?
![]()
![]()
![]()
1. Bondi Sands Liquid Gold (£14.99)
The perfect antidote to those gloopy, runny and confusing tans you could never quite get your head around, this incredibly lightweight dry oil formula dries in seconds but develops over a few hours. You simply spritz over skin and buff it in using a mitt, but unlike a lot of other tanning products you can get dressed and go instantly; there's no transference, no streaking, no 'wash off' required and it lasts for up to a week. Infused with the fresh scent of coconut and hydrating Argan Oil, Liquid Gold is a complete pleasure to apply and gradually fades evenly over a number of days.
2. Fake Bake Flawless Coconut Tanning Serum (£29.95)
I've never particularly gotten on with Fake Bake over the years, preferring to opt for something altogether less orange - however, this new product totally turns everything I know about the brand on its head. This lightweight serum is enriched with coconut oil (a natural 'anti-ageing' ingredient that's a highly effective source of moisture, to nourish, firm and improve skin tone,) as well as hyluronic acid to attract moisture to the skin over time. It's essentially a tanning-skincare hybrid that's a pleasure to use, dries incredibly quickly and leaves behind an even glowing tan; I'm obsessed.
3. St Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Body Lotion (£14.50)
You may notice a new look - and more importantly a new scent - from St Tropez hitting stores over the coming months, as they update their iconic packs with something a little more streamlined and modern. They've been working tirelessly to overcome the classic DHA scent that we all loathe, instead creating a fragrance that works with rather than against the naturally occurring perfume. The result is not only a luxurious and quickly absorbing cream that adds a subtle tint to skin while adding a touch of moisture, but a scent you'll finally be on board with.
4. Dr Organic Self Tan Mousse (£14.99)
If you're new to tanning, mousses are a great way to overcome the fear and ensure you get a streak-free finish first time. This 'natural' alternative from Dr Organic may not be top of your list if you're not overly concerned with ingredients, but it's definitely worth checking out. Formulated using a blend of bioactive, natural and organic ingredients (including organic Argan Oil, an incredibly rich source of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids,) this lightweight mousse is available in three shades and provides a delicate colour result. The mousse formula also ensures you get more applications for your buck, meaning it's an affordable investment that will see you through the summer.
5. Vita Liberata Body Blur (£29.50)
One of my new favourite products ahead of the forthcoming summer season, this is basically a BB Cream for the body. The lightweight yet rich formula covers imperfections, smoothes skin appearance, provides a natural-looking tan that washes off at the end of the day but still hydrates for up to 72 hours. Shea Butter and Aloe Vera extracts condition skin, while light reflecting elements help provide a 'photo-ready' skin finish that I’m sure you’ll love. Although this doesn't develop or leave a long-lasting tan, it's a great 'quick fix' when you just want to give your legs a bit of a colour boost. Just be sure to only use a little and really buff it into skin, otherwise you'll overload and create a patchy finish!
Have you tried any of these five tanning products? Do you have any other faves you couldn't be without?
Features PR samples unless otherwise stated. To read my full disclaimer, click here.