Lifestyle | Beauty The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. During my days as a fake tan devotee, back when being pale was decidedly not in fashion, I’d often use instant tans to augment the colour of whatever more long-lasting fake tan was underneath.
I wish I could say it looked great but, no, I was orange — and my best friend’s mum would complain every time I stayed over because I’d get said tan all over the sheets. Now, things are better all round. Vitally, we have all collectively realised pale skin can be luminous and beautiful and doesn’t need to be plastered in tan (hello Cate Blanchett), but those who do still want to add a little can access realistic fake tans which won’t end up all over the sheets — even if they’re of the instant variety.
You need to know a few things before you slather. I shouldn’t have to write this, but I’m going to for the record: a tan achieved by sunbathing or going on sunbeds is never, ever ‘healthy,’ so please do wear SPF daily, even when it’s cloudy (the harmful UVA rays very much make it through clouds). That being the case, fake tan is the only way to change your natural skin tone without running the risk of cancer and the certainty of premature ageing.
The final thing before I acquaint you with the best is that while many instant tans now really do cling to skin, it’s good practice wash them off before bed .