BEAUTY TEST DRIVE
Streaks and orange hands begone
By Anna Heaton, 25 June 2016
When I say I am not your average fake-tan fan – believe. The formerly white sheets, orange palms and avoiding rain at all costs (here's looking at you, British weather) seemed to outweigh the benefits. So when faced with testing a load first hand, I felt less than prepared. The moral of the story? If I can do it, so can you. Warning: no fake tan is complete without its BFFs: exfoliant and moisturiser, so don't forget to invest.
Picture: Miles Drury
Let's do this
Pale skin is totally chic, but sometimes when you're faced with blazing sun (yeah, right) and skimpy shorts, you want a little bit of colour. Hassle-free and easy to apply, these five are my firm favourites and, I have to admit, I'm a convert.
Picture: Miles Drury
Hey, St.Tropez
For beginners, starting with a self-spray tan is no mean feat. The colour on this one is heaven, though, and once you get the technique right, the streak-free rating is totally five stars. Top tip: get a mate to help spray for even coverage, or rub in with a mitt to avoid spray marks.
Picture: Miles Drury
Selfie-starter
Much-hyped tanning brand Selfie is virtually odourless (buh-bye, biscuit smell) and the mousse is simple to apply. Ditch the free tanning mitt and (nifty trick alert) apply all tan using latex gloves instead. It comes out quite dark so opt for a lighter shade if you're after a subtle result. Plus, it's on ASOS exclusively until the end of June.
Picture: Miles Drury
Bondi babe
I'll let you in on a secret… this one is my favourite. It smells like coconut (YUM) and the lotion texture means it's really easy to apply, giving the best coverage of them all. It lasts for days and you can wear it rain or shine with ease. Leave it on for up to six hours before washing for the best results – totally worth the wait.
Picture: Miles Drury
Read between the lines
Christened by celebs as the king of tan, I had high hopes for James Read and he didn't let me down. This gradual build is the best for avoiding streaks, as it's not instant wash-off and the colour shows on the skin within an hour. It's also really nourishing for the skin, acting as a moisturiser as well – bonus.
Picture: Miles Drury
Party trick
While it's not the strongest contender for the streak-free prize, this Rimmel one is a total lifesaver when it comes to your last-minute needs. It shows up quickly and is beyond easy to apply (although sometimes some extra gusto when rubbing in is needed). Keep it in your drawer 24/7 and it won't let you down.
