Beauty Lab
We test the newest products in search of the best faux glow
1. BIOTHERM FACE SELF-TANNING SERUM, £37.60
First things first, can we take a mo to celebrate that Biotherm is back in the UK? Okay, down to business. This serum is brilliant. It’s one of the most natural-looking face tanners I’ve come across. Not only did it apply perfectly – without patching around the dryer spots on my face (between the brows, nose or neck), but it hydrates skin and leaves the complexion looking nicely plumped.
2. ST TROPEZ LUXE TAN TONIC DROPS, £30
When the OGs of fake tan drop a new product, you can bet they have my attention. These customisable ‘Tan Tonic’ drops can be mixed in with your moisturiser or applied straight to the skin – the more drops you use, the deeper the tan. Of course, St Tropez know what they are doing when it comes to a bronze glow, and this did not disappoint. It gave my skin a realistic sun-kiss and faded evenly without looking too patchy.
3. TAN-LUXE THE CRÈME, £39
Yes, this is the most expensive tan on the page, but it’s also the most luxe. The rich, cream formula felt more like a balmy moisturiser than a fake tan – so much so that I ditched my La Mer for the evening (and felt no less hydrated for it). Designed to support the skin barrier while giving a tan, The Crème is loaded with squalane, birch bark and rice bran to nourish and leave skin supple and glowing.
4. BONDI SANDS PURE SELF-TANNING FACE MIST, £14.99
This gave a heck of a bronze, so if you’re all about tanning, I’d highly recommend. The shade was a touch warmer than I would’ve liked on day one, but by day two it’d faded to a subtle golden hue. What I like most about this mist is the ethically sourced, 100% recyclable plastic packaging that limits the impact on the environment – oh, and it’s less than 15 quid. Not bad at all.
5. SCIENTIA SUNSHINE & SEA HA + VIT D AQUA TANNING SERUM, £21
With hyaluronic acid, vitamin D and a blend of naturally derived tanning actives, this serum ticked all my skinhydration boxes. It’s designed for daily application, providing a supersubtle tan that can be built up over a couple of days. The formula is a little on the watery side, so
