Self tan is by far the safest way to achieve a beautiful golden glow, and they’ve come a long way in recent years. There are so many options available: gradual tanners, mousses, sprays, and temporary tanners, just to name a few. The customisable colour and the rapid development times make them an ideal choice for most, and with a little digging you’re sure to find the perfect formulation for you.

We’ve tried many a self tan amongst us here at Escentual, but we’ve managed to narrow down a list of our ultimate favourites…

1) He-Shi Express Liquid Tan
Quick-drying, non-streaking, and with a beautiful colour, this cult self tan instantly darkens the skin upon contact. It’s extremely easy to use, and is especially good for those with pale skin who find darker tans intimidating.

2) Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube
The best of both worlds! This instant bronzer also has built-in gradual tanners to let you build up your own customised glow. This is perfect for a night out, as it gives a gorgeous bronzed colour straight away, and develops in just a couple of hours.

3) Sexy Hair Sexy Symbol Aerotan Instant Temporary Tanning Spray
A spray on, wash off formulation that camouflages stretch marks, evens the skintone and hydrates the skin wonderfully. It’s so incredibly versatile: it mists on rapidly, and comes off just as quickly with soap and water.

1) Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning
This caramel-tinted whipped mousse helps you to perfect your complexion and build up a gradual tan all in one beautifying step. It’s the perfect beauty product for those who want both instant and long-lasting effects on their skin.

2) St Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan Face
This gradual tanner lets you achieve radiant skin with a natural-looking tan, whilst gently hydrating the face. It’s a lovely and creamy formulation that is very comfortable to wear, and sinks in quickly without residue.

3) Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Monsieur Self Tanning Gel
This tinted gel formulation produces an instant tan on the face that keeps on deepening to a perfect bronze. It’s perfect for men who are always on the go, with a rapidly absorbed texture and a mattified finish.