FQ picks: The best fake tanning products

7 October 2015
By Fashion Quarterly

As the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to bring our winter-wearied pins back into contact with the world.

That means a quick dose of fake tan is needed – here are Team FQ’s favourites:

Sally-Ann Mullin's fake tan picks

“My go-to products are St Tropez’s Gradual Tan Plus Anti-Ageing Multi Action Face & Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam in Light/Medium. Both develop into a great subtle colour and the green undertone (I know it sounds crazy) counteracts that horrible orange tone you can get with some fake tanning products, resulting in a sun-kissed glow rather than an Oompa Loompa moment.”
– Sally-Ann Mullin, editorTyla McKenzie's fake tan picks

“I’m not a huge fake tanner so gradual tans work really well for me. I’ve tried a lot and Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk is one I continually use as it provides a lovely natural glow while hydrating my skin at the same time. It also has a beautiful cocoa butter scent!”
– Tyla McKenzie, fashion and editorial assistant

Kelly McAuliffe's fake tan picks

“I will never stray from mousse tanners as it’s almost impossible to go wrong. St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse has been my go-to since the moment I discovered fake tan. It’s fairly pricey ($74.95 for 240ml) but is worth every penny in my opinion. I’ve also recently been using The Base by Lara Bingle Instant Tan Mousse which smells like a vanilla dream (well, as far as fake tans go) and gives a slightly more subtle colour.”
– Kelly McAuliffe, digital editor

Phoebe Watt's fake tan picks

“There’s a rule in my house that if I tan before bed I have to sleep in the spare bedroom – something about stained sheets and “tanning chemical fumes”? Every so often I find it’s worth being exiled for the sake of bronzed limbs, but for the most part, an instant tanning lotion that I can put on straight after my morning shower and trust to have given me a healthy glow by the time I get to work is what appeals. Recently I’ve been using a combination of Moroccan Tan Instant Tanning Lotion and Clinique Self-Sun Face Bronzing Gel Tint, both of which tick this box.”
– Phoebe Watt, features writer
Marcel Gull's fake tan picks

Le Tan Fast Tan Dark Bronze Spray is instant tan in a can meaning I know if I have gone too heavy on a certain area straight away. I can then do another coat on the lighter patches. The instructions say to not spray directly on to your face but I do and I have had no eye irritation whatsoever. It burns a little at first but the discomfort goes away quite quickly. St Tropez Powder Bronzer is great for another layer during the day. It doesn’t ruin your clothes so you can really layer it on. I apply it up to five times a day.”
– Marcel Gull, creative director
Bondi Sands tanning mitt
“Not actually a fake tanning product, but a very handy tool, a tanning mitt is the only way to go when applying a liquid, gel or mousse. I used to go through a very time-consuming process of tanning a limb, washing my hands, tanning another limb, washing my hands again… You get the picture. Using a mitt like Bondi Sands Self Tanning Mitt means you get a really even coverage because of the soft spongey texture and no tell-tale orange palms. Win, win.”
– Lucy Slight, features editor

 

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