HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR TAN (EVEN WHEN THE SUN’S GONE)

There are certain things I’ll happily wave goodbye to as summer ends: sweaty commutes, the exposed toes of fellow Londoners, the ugly £10 fan that’s been messing up my flat’s feng shui. But even as I start reaching for knits and coats with all the glee of an excited schoolgirl, there’s one thing I’m still gripping to with wild abandon – and that is my tan. Now, thanks to my mum’s Irish gene pool, I’m no bronzed goddess myself. But that hasn’t stopped me from building a subtle glow during the sunny months. Consider it a healthy hue, if you will.

Huda Beauty Easy Blur Primer - Bronze Fudge, £30

I’ve chosen to start with the face because that is, arguably, the main thing people will be looking at – especially as we start wrapping up warmer. This Huda Beauty primer is a great all-purpose product that preps your skin before makeup, provides a healthy bronze glow, and can even double up as a contour. Enriched with glycerine and milk thistle extract, this lightweight, blurring cream won’t leave any unwelcome streaks – and it even helps to smooth out texture (great for when winter dryness sets in).

Isle Of Paradise Sunny Serum Tanning Drops 30ml, £16

Isle of Paradise describe this as ‘summer in a bottle’, and I can see why. More skincare than makeup, these bronzing drops are the secret sauce to boosting your usual makeup routine. Just add to your favourite moisturiser or foundation to boost the warmth in your complexion. The squalane-based formula also provides a welcome hit of hydration, so you’ll look fresh from the beach even on three hours' sleep.

Kopari Golden Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen - Gold SPF30, £36

Now onto the bod. If lathering yourself in creams and potions after a long day sounds exhausting, this spray-on mist is the life hack you’ve been waiting for. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, Kopari’s Sheer Glaze acts as a barrier against cold weather (so no dry and crusty legs, thank you very much). The subtle shimmer and hint of bronze provide the perfect way to fake a sun-kissed tan without having to cover yourself in body makeup, and the lightweight formula is a great companion for transitional layers.

NUXE Gold Sun Oil High Protection SPF 30 150ml, £29

Whether you’re jetting off on a late-summer trip (jealous), or just diving headfirst into autumn, SPF should be a year-long commitment. This NUXE Gold Sun Oil provides high UV protection whilst adding a bronzed finish to the skin. Expect the brand’s cult fragrance too, so you can smell and look like you’ve just returned from a far-flung locale. You might not be in the Maldives, but if you’re wearing this bad boy, you’re basically half-way there. (For the ultimate on-the-go boost of bronze, there’s even a handy roll-on version).

Tanologist Self-Tan Mousse Dark 200ml, £16

It was only right to end on a heavy hitter. If your natural tan is already a distant memory (or you never had one in the first place – kudos to you, skin-health-conscious queen!), then it’s time to pull out the big guns. As autumn approaches, a super-deep tan might feel a little too much, but we’re not done with baring skin just yet. This Tanologist express tan is my holy grail for many reasons: you only need to leave it on for an hour to see results – so no messy bedsheets – and the clear liquid means it won’t ruin your transitional wardrobe. You can also build up the colour depending on whether you leave this on for one, two or three hours. It's the perfect pre-party prep – I reach for this again and again for a natural-looking tan.