Mastering A Tan For All Seasons - Rain or Shine

It's hard to believe it is mid June when I'm still wearing Hunter wellies, tights, and a raincoat most days. Fellow Londoners must also be thinking, will summer weather ever arrive?! Before you grumble bah humbug and dash off to the tanning booth for a 5 minute holiday (and a very needed dose of Vitamin D), I have tried and tested several different fake tanning lotions, sprays, and cloths, to ensure you look bronzed and sun-kissed without resembling an oompa loompa. Turns out we don't need summer sun to achieve a gorgeous tan after all!

Oompa Loompa, do-ba-dee-doo, I’ve rated the best-selling fake tan products for you:

  

ModelCo Tan Airbrush in A Can

My verdict: 5/10

Sold at Boots for £28 per can

I first tried this self-tanning spray back in university with my girlfriend Boo, when we decided we could easily spray on six-pack abs instead of going to the gym. Turns out we were better off attending pilates class, because this tan in a can left more of a paintball splatter effect than a bronzed Tahitian honey glow. Although you can see your sprayed tan after 4 hours, the coverage was really uneven and didn’t look natural at all. On the plus side, ModelCo Tan Airbrush in a Can actually smells like cocoa butter and doesn’t stain your hands. I’m glad we first tried this on our body before attempting to spray our faces into bronzed perfection. 

Garnier Summer Body Sun-kissed Moisturising Lotion

My verdict: 8/10

Available at Boots for £2.55

If your fake tan isn't time sensitive, then this reasonably priced product is a great buy. Just slather it on like a regular lotion, and you will start to notice a hint of golden color within a few hours. Be warned that if you apply too much, you might experience a fake tan 'musk' and the dreaded fake tan streaks. After several days of use (in small doses), Garnier Summer Body moisturising lotion will make you resemble a bronzed goddess - by day three your pins will be glowing as if you just stepped off a boat from St. Tropez!

Comodynes Self-Tanning Towelettes
My verdict: 9.5/10

A pack of 8 starts at $13.99 at Comodynes.net

I was first introduced to these bad boy self-tanning towelettes by gal pal Boozin Susan when we decided we looked as pale as Twilight vampires after surviving a Boston winter together. Trust me, a bit of pigment in our faces was needed. Comodynes fake tan towelettes are without doubt, my favourite self-tanning product on the market. The only problem is I have yet to find them in stores in the UK, but luckily you can buy them online. Perfecting the application process takes a bit of practice and I would definitely recommend exfoliating first, but these towelettes leave you with a gorgeous looking glow after 6 hours of application. Be sure to scrub your hands after use and not to over apply on your face, otherwise you might have an obvious fake tan in a bad way, a la Lindsay Lohan..

To be fair, a bad fake tan is the least of Li Lo's problems..

Jergens Natural Glow Express

My verdict: 7/10

Available at Amazon.com.uk for £10

Need your milky white skin to be replaced with a dark tan by tonight? No problem. Jergens Natural Glow Express is the fastest and easiest way to look like you're a regular sun worshiper. This product is like the Garnier Summer Body moisturising lotion on speed, simply apply like lotion and within hours voilà, you could pass for one of Hugh Hefner's bronzed girlfriends. A little bit of this fake tan lotion goes a long way - be careful when applying around your ankles and elbows, as these areas can go wrong very easily. Make sure you shower before going to bed otherwise I guarantee you will wake up to find your sheets have some new orange colored streaks- I speak from experience here! Cover yourself in Jergens Natural Glow Express and within hours you will look as toned and tan as Charlize Theron at the 2004 Oscars - Gucci gown unfortunately not included.

Fake tan faaaabulous!

If you haven’t used fake tan before, remember to wait up to 10 minutes after application to allow the fake tan to fully dry on your skin. You don’t want to stain your lovely clothes or ruin your soon to be glistening tan now do you? Call me crazy, but I like to put on some fun upbeat songs to dance around to while waiting for my fake tanner to dry. It always gets me in a good mood knowing I am soon going to be bronzed without even damaging my skin by harmful UV rays. It might be raining outside in London, but these tunes will get you into the summer spirit in no time. Just press play and imagine you’re on your way to the beach, cooler in hand!

Rita Ora's Hot Right Now

DJ Antoine's Welcome To St. Tropez

Nicki Minaj's Starships

Can't wait to see your new tan! 

xoxo, 

Blondon