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‘Tis the season of Christmas parties, busy schedules, and little time for some self care – or to be marinating in fake tan for eight hours.
If you’re anything like us, you may be out the house more than you are indoors, which means you can’t sit working from home letting the fake tan settle so you can wash it off after your shift.
In some cases, you may have a new festive plan added to your diary at the last minute, or your outfit has changed and the best accessory to complete the look is a sunkissed glow, but you needed to bronze those legs yesterday.
The solution? Express tan.
We love an express tan as it does what it says on the tin, you apply it over the body and leave for as little as 30 minutes in some cases before washing off. It’s quick, easy, saves time, the smell, and stained clothes or sheets.
We have tried a whole host of fake tans over the years, but we have whittled down the speedy express tans you can rely on to get you Christmas party ready in a flash.
Shop The Best Express Fake Tans
Isle of Paradise Express Mousse
This remains one of my favourite fake tans of all time. Not only is it gentle on the skin, it leaves your skin bronzed and beautiful within half an hour, though it continues to develop after it has been washed off. Plus, it has colour correcting benefits, so even if you are a beginner fake tanner you aren’t left with streaky patches and the finished look is actually seamless. It is also a longlasting tan too, which means you can apply once and it will last a few days without needing to be topped up.
BUY NOW FOR £21.95
St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse
Another firm favourite fake tan for a quick, natural-looking fake tan is St. Tropez’s award-winning Bronzing Mousse. This 3-in-1 fake tan not only leaves your skin bronzed and glowing after application, but it is streak-free and long lasting. Leave on for as little as one hour to achieve a natural sun-kissed glow. However, you can leave on for longer for a deeper tan.
BUY NOW FOR £20.40 (WAS £34)
Bali Body 1 Hour Express Tan
Bali Body can leave you with that natural-looking sun tan as if you have jetted off to Indonesia for your eat, pray, love holiday, even if you have been stuck in a windowless office in a polluted city. This formulation contains glycerin, natural DHA and vitamin E, which not only adds a bronzed finish to your skin, but hydrates and nourishes your skin too – a 2-in-1 skincare and tan hybrid. It is fast-drying, streak free and develops in 60-minutes.
BUY NOW FOR £30.95
St. Moriz Advanced Pro Formula Express Tan Foaming Water
We love a lightweight foam texture, but foaming water offers an even lighter texture you barely notice you have applied to your skin. In just one-hour this Express Tan Foaming Water delivers a golden glow, streak-free finish and boosts your mood. Yes, you read that right. St. Moriz has used fragrance technology that has been said to have uplifting benefits – an added bonus with dark nights at 4pm.
BUY NOW FOR £8.79 (WAS £10.99)
Sienna X Express Clear Tan Water Mousse
Some may be sceptical about a clear tan as you can’t see where you have applied the product, but you don’t have to fret about that with Sienna X, which is one of the leading (and arguably best known) fake tan brands. If you don’t have time to squeeze in a spray tan using Sienna X don’t fret, as you can achieve a professional glow up at your fingertips with this bottle of magic. It develops to a dark bronze colour in just one hour. Plus, the formula is infused with aloe vera, which is a key ingredient to hydrate and soothe your skin. It is a lightweight texture and achieves a flawless streak-free finish in minutes.
BUY NOW FOR £19.99
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam One Hour Express
Another popular option for tanners is Bondi Sands. This One Hour Express leaves your skin looking sun kissed and radiant after just one hour, though it continues to develop after the guide-colour has been rinsed off, which is ideal for those strapped for time but want a deeper tan.
BUY NOW FOR £16.99
Tanologist Self-Tan Mousse
There is nothing worse than the smell of raw egg lingering after your fake tan session. Thankfully, Tanologist use a low pH to minimise that smell. Not only does it leave your skin bronzed in an instant, but the formula includes root and resin extracts, which function to tighten the skin. It is cruelty free, vegan, and a gentle formula suitable for all skin types.
BUY NOW FOR £15.99
Lucy Bee Coconut Self-Tan Mousse
Many may be familiar with 'Lucy Bee' (said in Joe Wicks’ expressive voice) and the iconic coconut oil. But did you know Lucy Bee has also created a whole host of skincare and bodycare products? This Self Tan Mousse develops in two hours, though it can be left on for longer for a deeper bronze. It is lightweight on the skin, fast-drying, and suitable for sensitive skin.
BUY NOW FOR £22.50Consider these ordered.
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