Beauty news: make friends with a faux glow

I’m a confessed connoisseur of the faux glow, and have tried pretty much every formulation out there - with varying degrees of success. It is still the safest tan out there for tanning at any time of year, and with New Zealand skin cancer rates constantly on the rise it’s time to pick a formula that works for you rather than baking under what are some pretty damn dangerous rays.

At the moment my absolute favourite spray tan is St Tropez’s Rapid Tan formula as applied by the wonderful Bianka from Mollie’s Spa in Auckland, and I’m always on the lookout for anything new that the global tanning brand has on offer. The latest I’ve heard about is their Self Tan Sensitive range, which is specially formulated to be gentle on skin without compromising performance. The genius yet gentle range has been designed with the more sensitive skins in mind, using natural-based ingredients that won’t irritate the skin. As someone who ticks the ‘sensitive’ box more often than not this is a major revelation - and well worth the wait.

Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, it also has no added colours - meaning there’s no residue on towels, sheets or clothing. It also includes several options like the Self Tan Sensitive Bronzing Face - specially created for the delicate skin on the face and infused with a “gentle iridescence”, Grape and Blackcurrant Seed Oil, Pomegranate and melon extract and the Self Tan Sensitive Bronzing Mousse, which is a lightweight nourishing mousse that easily absorbs into the skin to match the user’s skin tone. It’s a great range to recommend to first-time tanners who want a fool-proof and subtle-looking colour, and can be used up to three times a week for a really golden glow.

If you’re as rubbish at applying self-tanners as I was when I first made a foray into the faux, then it’s high time you made a gradual tan your friend – the best of the bunch are pretty much foolproof, and great for your skin to boot. One of my favourite gradual tanners is by Australian beauty brand ModelCo, who signed up model-of-the-moment Rosie Huntington-Whitely (above) as their spokesbody and make cracking good formulas. They are a brand known for high performance, no-nonsense, innovative products, and ModelCo’s Gradual Tan is an everyday triple action self-tanning moisturiser for all skin types that acts as a self-tanner, tan extender and moisturiser all in one, allowing you to build or prolong a natural-looking, streak free tan gradually and easily. It helps to improve and even out skin tone, prevent the visible signs of aging and protect the skin all while delivering a gradual golden glow. It’s also scented with what they call “delicious summer fruits”, so there are no tell tale signs of tanning, just a fresh, yummy scent.

One product I make sure to pack when I travel is Kate Somerville’s Somerville360° Tanning Towelettes. The creator and director of her own renowned skincare clinic on Melrose in Los Angeles, Kate Somerville has devoted her life to creating flawless faces. Every product in her range began life in her clinic, including the Towelettes, which contain a paraben-free self-tanning formula to give you a quick and even application with no streaking. Incredibly easy to use and perfect for travel as they come individually sealed - no need to stress about bottles or tubes busting out en route - each Towelette is concentrated with a self-tanning formula to give you a quick and even application. The brand is available at Mecca Cosmtica, who also stock Somerville’s self tanning pads formulated especially for the face.

Last up, I’d like to give a shout out to a product I’ve recently discovered by Xen Tan. Elle UK said of Xen Tan’s Transform Luxe: “it is one of the easiest gradual tanners to apply - it won't streak and it smells remarkably good too,” which is no faint praise. We they right? You bet, and I have fallen totally head over heels for the product. The luxurious lotion goes on clear and develops into a wonderfully natural-looking tan after just a couple of applications– and boy they last and last. As well as a gradual tanner it’s an ideal ‘tan extender’ that can be used in between tanning with any of Xen-Tan’s other professional products, which I haven’t tried as yet but am gagging to now.

It is a great transitional product from winter to spring too, as it’s packed with nourishing moisturisers for skin that's deeply hydrated after being bundled up in woollens for a few months. It’s suitable for all skin types for those who prefer to build their tan gradually, and the fact that it’s refreshingly Paraben free means that it is ideal for face and body use. Bonus! And as with so many of their products it comes with a wonderful scent of fresh vanilla – not the ‘wet dog’ smell that so many faux glow products come part and parcel with. To use just apply in a circular motion, blending evenly onto your skin. Wash your hands after application with soap and water and wait three hours before showering or swimming…. Et voila! Great, glowy skin.