Not to brag, but I’ve been using self-tan for more than a decade.
Growing up in a coastal town where sun-kissed skin was the norm left this pale beauty writer with a) typical adolescent insecurity, resulting in b) more self-tanners than sense.
Foams, gels, lotions, serums; you name it, I've tried it, and have the cringey Facebook photos to prove it.
Like many teenagers raised in the Jersey Shore era, I'd routinely put my skin on the line at the prospect of 'fitting in'.
I shudder now just thinking about it.
If only I knew then what I know now: nothing, I repeat NOTHING, is worth the sun damage.
But as much as I've grown to love my fair complexion, there are still times when a tan simply makes me feel better.
Like for a trip to the beach or to accompany a pair of low-rise jeans.
Fortunately for us (and our sheets), self-tanners have evolved.
That said, I've compiled a list of my favourite products for achieving radiance without the rays.
You'll also find reviews that consider my three key principles of an A+ self-tan: colour, scent and wear.
Best For: Natural Ingredients.
Try: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
Fast facts:
Foam self-tanner with anti-ageing and anti-cellulite properties.
From the brand that brought us the cult-favourite coconut and fig hair mask.
Formulated with 100% natural DHA (the ingredient behind the change in skin colour).
Enriched with raw virgin coconut for hydration plus natural antioxidants for improved signs of ageing.
My Coco & Eve Honey Bali Bronzing Foam review:
I’m always sceptical when a self-tanner claims to not have that funky smell that most do.
I’ve fallen for this clever marketing speak more than I’d care to admit.
So when I discovered this Coco & Eve Bronzing Foam actually doesn’t smell like stale biscuits, it automatically ascended to the top of my list of self-tan I’d happily sit in for hours.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say it has a “tropical mango and guava scent” as the brand suggests, but it does have somewhat of a fruity vibe to it.
There’s no obvious scent the next day either. Or, at least none that my colleagues picked up on…
It’s the ideal colour for fair skin too, with a green-grey base that looks natural and not orange.
Leaving it on for approximately six hours delivered the golden glow I was after, with noticeable progress starting as early as hour two.
As for longevity, I enjoyed about a week of wear before feeling the need to reapply. Even as it faded, it did so evenly.
While there's not much to fault with this self-tanner, if I had to be critical: a) the pump malfunctioned (though I'm willing to attribute this to human error) and b) it does transfer, so opt for black clothing and steer clear of your fancy furniture.
