Goodbye tanning mousse, hello tanning water…
Summer is here, but it looks like we may have to wait a little longer for the sun to make its appearance. While the British weather may not be helping our tans, there are plenty of products on the market to achieve a natural, sun-kissed look all year round.
If you’ve read our guide to the best fake tan, you’ll know that there are a number of different formulas available. As much as we love mousse, we don’t like washing our sheets every time we apply it. If you’re an avid fake tanner, you’ll know that these products can transfer to just about anything, and we’ve lost count of the clothes and crisp white sheets we’ve had to replace.
Fortunately, tanning waters have taken the market by storm in the last couple of years. These clean formulas promise a perfect tan, without the mess. Sounds good; We took it upon ourselves to test the most popular brands and give you ours honest opinion on each. Keep scrolling to see our top picks and learn all about how tanning waters work…
What did we look for in the tan test? We wanted a tan that was easy to apply, wasn’t going to transfer and that gave us a great glow for the summer and beyond. Another key factor? Either they had that awful fake tan smell or they didn’t. For more information, be sure to check out our guide on how to test the products included in our treatments.
E-commerce writer Grace Lindsay puts the tan to the test in this collection
The Best Tanning Waters to Buy Now:
1. Bondi Sands Pure Self Tan Foaming Water Dark, it was £15.99 now £12.79 | Fantastic look
“Bondi Sands Self Tanning Water is different from other clear tans thanks to its foamy formula. Like all clear alternatives, I found it took some getting used to, but I didn’t notice streaks or orange hands, despite the tan being – yes, you guessed it – clean. If anything, the texture of the foam made it slightly easier to apply – it’s a thicker texture so I felt like I could feel where I was applying it more. I loved the color – it gave me a soft, natural, sun-kissed look – and I didn’t notice the typical cookie smell when I used it, which was a big win for me. Additionally, I didn’t notice any orange residue or stains on my sheets or clothes.”
“Fun fact: it’s actually a non-rinse, so you can go about your day without planning when to shower. And a top tip for you (learned the hard way): hold the bottle upside down when opening and applying, as I found that if I didn’t, the foam came out more like water, making the process more difficult. ” Ally Head – Health Editor
2. TAN-LUXE The Water Hydrating Self-Tan Water Medium, £34 | Feelunique
“Tan Luxe Tanning Water really is as simple as spray, wipe and go. Unlike other tanning products, this water smells amazing and dries instantly, meaning you can put it on in the morning without worrying about your clothes. I tried tanning at night and woke up with no fake tan smell, no transfer on the sheets and a healthy glow.”
“Because the water is colorless, be careful when rubbing it all over, as it can be easy to miss a few spots (as my arms will tell you). I stopped using fake tan because I couldn’t deal with the stress and the smell, but this has turned me around.’ Dionne Brighton – Practicing writer
3. Isle of Paradise Dark Self-tanning Water, it was £18.95 now £15.16 | Fantastic look
“I love this tan as there is no skill required when it comes to application. It comes in three color correcting shades so you’ll be spoiled for choice. Dark tanning water is infused with purple pigments to neutralize orange undertones.”
“You can also buy refillable cases and even a tanner to get that spray tan from the comfort of your own home. It doesn’t transfer and the scent isn’t overpowering. What more could you want?” Katie Thomas – Senior Beauty Editor
4. Tanning Facial Water Bali Body, £26 | ASOS
“I was skeptical about trying a tanning water on my face as my skin can often react to different tanning products. However, after trying this, I can’t imagine my beauty routine without it. All you have to do is pop some on a cotton ball and rub it into the skin. Results? Healthy glow and hydrated skin. It doesn’t look like irritation.”
“My one tip would be to make sure you blend it on your neck and chest for a perfect finish, because otherwise you might end up with a bit of a contrast.” Grace Lindsay – Ecommerce Writer
5. St. Water Mousse Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water, £31 | Boots
“I’m a fan of St. Tropez for years so I was so excited to try the bronzing water mousse. This tanning water had a tropical scent that lingered on the skin in the best possible way. Application was a breeze and it dried in no time.”
“I put it on in the morning and by afternoon I felt ready to hit the beach. I would say this tan definitely gives more of a sun-kissed glow than a deep color, but it’s perfect if you’re looking for a more natural finish.” Grace Lindsay – Ecommerce Writer
6. Dior Bronze Liquid Sun Self-tanning Water, £45 | Dior
“If you want a super natural looking tan then this is for you. I was so impressed with the mist as it spread evenly on the skin. I’m not always the best at applying fake tan, but I didn’t have to worry with this product.”
“It gave a silky finish and the color developed throughout the day. Personally, I liked the look after just one application, however I’m sure you could build up the color over time if you wanted to. An added bonus? The bottle looks beautiful displayed in my bathroom.” Grace Lindsay – Ecommerce Writer
7. Sienna X Gradual Clear Self Tan Water Mousse, £19.99 | Feelunique
“Of all the tans I tried, this definitely had the best aroma, with hints of peach, pear and nectarine. It was so good that my roommates asked me what perfume I had used! Upon application, the water turned into a mousse, which made it much easier to blend into the skin.”
“I applied the tan at night and woke up with fresh white sheets and a healthy glow. If you want deeper color, I recommend reapplying the next day.” Grace Lindsay – Ecommerce Writer
8. Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist, £32 | Feelunique
“Another face tan I tried was the Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist. This product is an ultra-fine tan facial toner that is very easy to spray all over the face and neck for a healthy glow.”
“What I love most about this tan is that it’s Australian with locally sourced ingredients (some even handpicked). Additionally, the tan can be used after cleansing or over makeup to give you a natural glow. Pretty cool, right?” Grace Lindsay – Ecommerce Writer
What are tanning waters?
Tanning lotions often come in the form of a clear spray and can be used on both the face and body for a glow. According Fantastic looktanning water “blends water, skin-loving vitamins and active tanning ingredients to hydrate, soften and tan your skin in one step.”
“As they are so light, tanning lotions absorb so quickly into the skin and don’t clog your pores or feel heavy on the skin, making them perfect for all skin types.”
Most tanning lotions will develop within a few hours and won’t transfer to clothing or bedding, meaning you can apply them almost any time during the day. Comfortably.
How to apply tanning lotions
Each tanning water will likely come with individual instructions, however it is often a case of spraying it over the skin before lightly mixing with a tanning mitt. Of course, it always helps to prep the skin beforehand. We recommend exfoliating your skin and applying moisturizer to any dry areas such as elbows and knees before application.
Well, here it is. If you’re looking to try more fake tans, don’t forget to check out our roundups of the best instant tans and the best gradual tans. We also have a guide on how to remove fake tan.
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