Yesterday I almost felt a touch of September in the air, but much as I adore summer sunshine I try and make a point of keeping my face out of it.
This is where a *really* good (natural ingredient derived) self-tanner comes into its own – of course.
Off the top of my head (because there are more!) these are four of my hand-on-heart 100% recommendable self-tanners.
Each one comes with its own strong USPs, so I feel they all deserve the spotlight this week.
All four are Beauty Shortlist Awards winners (side note: the 2023 Beauty Shortlist Beauty + Wellbeing Awards opened for entries on Monday 15th, more on those on the Entry Form page HERE) so here’s a quick round-up.
First up, a consistent winner over the years: Chocolate Sun.
THE FACE+BODY SUNLESS FIX
Just one of the brand’s many sunless tan offerings, Chocolate Sun’s Cocoa GLOW Medium Tanning Cream for the Face + Body ticks a ton of boxes, e.g. streak-free, pleasant cocoa-y scent, moisturising, and a “green” as in plants and veg ingredients list that includes but isn’t limited to:
DHA from sugar beets
aloe vera, coconut oil, olive and radish extracts
cocoa and vanilla
It’s also the brand’s best-selling Face + Body self-tanner.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…? This other high-scorer…
THE ALL-SEASON SUBTLE FACE TANNING STAR
Omorovicza’s Glam Glow is one of those hands-down you can count on it streak-free self-tanners, ideal for winter into spring, spring into summer, summer into autumn and autumn back into winter!!
It’s subtle. Don’t expect a deep Mediterranean tan (although it’s buildable) but it’s flawless and “Glam Glow” is right, it really does provide a kind of “glow”.
This one’s ideal for English roses with paler skin, it has pretty good lasting power so just re-apply every few days and you’re good to go.
Spa-centric Omorovicza have blended Hungarian thermal water, jojoba, apricot kernel oil and apple and plum seed extracts in the formula here.
I really love this product – it’s an “investment” purchase £££ but if like me you’re not a huge fan of “pale and wintery” and love a more subtle golden glow, this one’s a keeper.
THE STELLAR SUN-KISSED SILKY BODY SOOTHER
The answer to all our body self-tanner prayers in a bottle is…? Evolve Organic Beauty’s multi-award winning hero – pretty much!
Streak-free (tick), papaya (a natural exfoliator, tick), erythrulose from red berries which reacts with the keratin in our skin to gently darken its shade (tick), moisturising shea butter (tick), 99% natural and 86% organic (two more ticks), with more moisturising and hydration help from cocoa seed butter and aloe.
What’s not to love?
Evolve’s whole skincare and body range is one of the most affordable beacons for want of a better word in the natural/organic beauty industry.
The products are a joy to use, look simple but some are really sensual, like their chocolatey Raw Cacao Radiant Glow Mask – God!
You practically have to restrain yourself from eating this.
Evolve’s Bio-Retinol Gold Mask with argan and rosehip is a dream for stressed or perhaps drier skin, it turns into a creamy, easy to wash off milk when you add water.
Still going strong, a winner in 2017 and still a big love today.
THE DEEP GLOW DELIVERER
This one, Eco by Sonya’s Cacao Tanning Mousse, dark/medium, is in my bathroom right now.
I use this lightweight foam on both my face and body (it takes about 4 hours to develop) and this Aussie brand’s self-tanners are among the best out there.
Great ingredients, including cacao, grapefruit, coffee, grape skin, wheat bran and aloe vera juice and it’s just as flawless on the face as Omorovicza’s Glam Glow but it’s much deeper/darker.
Whereas Omorovicza’s Glam Glow is more “the 2nd/3rd day of my holiday”, Eco by Sonya’s mousse is more “ohhh just two days till we fly home?!”
I adore this product, especially in summer when I’m already somewhat tanned but need a top-up, or summer-into-autumn during the last days of sandal weather.
Anyway let’s hope the sunny warmer weather lasts quite a bit longer. Much as I love the dark berry nail and lip shades of cooler months, I’m hanging onto the pinks, nudes and tangerines and sunless tanners for as long as I can.
HAPPY AUGUST, wherever you are! x