There's no confidence booster quite like a golden glow. Even Kylie Jenner isn't immune to the confidence-boosting magic of a tan, recently saying: "Sometimes I think I'm depressed... and then I get a spray tan, and I'm like, I was just pale."
But if you don't have time to book in for a professional spray tan, a tan from a bottle (or tube or pipette, for that matter) delivers the same pep in your step. Read on for the self tanners Best Quality Designer Handbag 's Beauty Collective rely on for a flawless tan every time.
The leg lustre: This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle, £45
- Highlight: Quick and temporary
"I'm not into the full-spray-tan commitment, but for an event, I like the quick, temporary glow given by this tinted serum. It gives just enough tint to even things out – it's make-up for the legs that washes off at the end of the night (no orange sheets, no regrets). Technically, it's for legs, but I'll use it anywhere – arms, shoulders, or a bit across the decolletage." Becky Donaldson, Best Quality Designer Handbag Head of Fashion
The body blurrer: Gatineau Golden Glow Blurring Body Bronze, £40
- Highlight: Nourishing skincare ingredients
"I subscribe to the Nicole Kidman school of glow; I've grown to prefer a paler face but still want a touch of warmth on my legs to soften that ghostly pallor, so I was thrilled to try Gatineau's Golden Glow Blurring Body Bronze in light/medium. As you would expect from skincare connoisseurs, it's packed with nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, while the DHA-free formula expertly bronzes and blurs imperfections." Cassie Steer, Best Quality Designer Handbag Head of Beauty
The quick-fix glow: St Tropez: Express Dark Whipped Mousse, £37
- Highlight: Fast development time
"As a self-confessed pale person, it's accurate to say I'm obsessed with fake tan, and I've pretty much tried them all. St Tropez has always been a fail-safe when I want to wake up with a streak-free tan, but recently I've been leaning towards options I don’t have to sleep in. The brand's new Express Dark Whipped Mousse is a dream as it gives a serious glow you can wash off after three hours, and the golden guide colour makes application foolproof." - Hollie Brotherton, Best Quality Designer Handbag 's Fashion Editor
The instant icon: By Terry Tea to Tan Golden Glow, £42
- Highlight: Low commitment glow
"Old-school St Tropez products are easy and fuss-free thanks to their mousse texture, and I love how the ultra-dark version makes deeper skin tones really pop. But if you want to glow with less commitment, I love this hydrating bronzing serum – one shade fits all . It combines skincare and makeup, and can be used on its own or with the cult-favourite Tea To Tan Face & Body mist." - Ateh Jewel, host of Best Quality Designer Handbag 's Second Act podcast
The radiance booster: Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Protecting Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20, £47
- Highlight: Evens out skin tone and disguises darkness
"I never tried the original, but this revamped version of Guerlain’s Terracotta Joli Teint has a beautifully lightweight, skin-like feel while still offering impressive coverage. The 90% naturally derived formula boasts skincare goodies such as hyaluronic acid, argan oil and ashwagandha, and delivers a natural, sun-kissed glow reminiscent of a post-holiday tan, while subtly disguising under-eye darkness and uneven skin tone." - Seni Crofts, Best Quality Designer Handbag 's office manager
The grown-up glaze: Vita Liberata The Glaze Peptide Tanning Serum, £34
- Highlight: A believable bronze
"I've had one too many at-home-tan disasters and don't have the time (or patience) for the prep and upkeep, but I do love a glow. Vita Liberata's The Glaze Peptide Tanning Serum feels more like skincare than self-tan – packed with peptides and hydrating ingredients that elevate the colour's quality. You apply it with your hands, and from the first use, it takes the edge off paleness, then builds gradually into a believable bronze." - Jo Jones, beauty expert and co-founder of Beauty Banks
The bespoke bronze: Tropic Skincare Sun Drops Gradual Tanning Facial Serum, £26
- Highlight: A customisable level of tan
"I use a couple of drops of this every few days with my morning moisturiser. It's gentle, Cosmos Organic-certified and gives me a fresh, outdoorsy look. It very subtly helps even out my skin tone, so I can get away with just a dab of concealer here and there, and I love that it's customisable. Sometimes I'll use less moisturiser to up the intensity, brushing it onto the areas the sun naturally hits, like the tops of my cheekbones and tip of my nose." - Jasmine Hemsley, author and wellbeing expert
The hydration hero: Self Glow by James Read Sunblush Hydrating Tan Mist, £18
- Highlight: Easy application
"For the ultimate natural-looking glow, I use a two-step approach that combines a hydrated base with an instant pop of warmth. First, I use the Self Glow by James Read Sunblush Hydrating Tan Mist. It's brilliant for building a gradual, believable tan while keeping the skin beautifully hydrated. Spray (no rubbing) and let it develop." Ruby Hammer, make-up artist and founder of Ruby Hammer Beauty
The cult comeback: Clarins Self-Tanning Milky Lotion, £28
- Highlight: Easy-to-apply formula
"Clarins' revamped faux-glow icon has found its way back into my tanning collection. The new-and-improved formula glides over the skin, leaving a soft hue of (streak-free) sun-kissed colour over your face and body. It's also deeply hydrating and feels more like skincare than a typical tanning product. My top tip for any self-tan product is to run a dry tissue over your eyebrows if they are light in shade to avoid any colour change." Caroline Barnes, celebrity makeup artist
The glow gel: Sisley Phyto-Touche Gel Glow, £79
- Highlight: Lightweight texture
"If you want to lure me in, all you have to do is mention the world 'gel' and I'm sold. I love the lightweight, flexible texture gel formulas have, and this blends in like a dream, with a second-skin texture and radiant finish. It's more of a subtle 'I've been in the garden' glow than an all-out sun-drenched look, which is ideal for this time of year." - Melanie Macleod, Best Quality Designer Handbag Deputy Beauty and Lifestyle Editor
The subtle shimmer: Ilia Multi-Stick in Bronze Pearl, £36
- Highlight: Effortless aplication and glow
"This creamy formula adds the perfect, easy-to-apply glow to my skin, which has yellow tones and can be hard to match. As well as being an effortless way to add warmth to my face, I love the fact that Ilia uses clean ingredients, because my skin feels safe and stays hydrated." - Nadia Alibhai, osteopath
