After much testing, these are our beauty editor's 9 best instant tans for faux glow in a flash

RRP: £15 | Formula: Cream to powder | Key ingredients: Coconut milk | Number of shades: 2

This higher coverage option may not suit everyone, but I loved the flawless look it gave. Its heavier consistency by no means compromises the blending power, and you can manipulate the formula until all areas are covered in a streak-free finish. This was the quickest drying formula of the entire selection I tested; I could get dressed within 30 seconds of application, which is great if you tend to get ready in a rush. I think this would be a perfect option for an evening event, as you can rest assured that this will completely even out the skin tone and blur every vein, mottled or bumpy bit of skin in sight.

RRP: £33 | Formula: Lightweight, foamy cream | Key ingredients: Shea butter and organic glycerin | Number of shades: 2

I know I said that the best instant tan comes with no commitments, but if you want a bit more longevity, I'd recommend choosing this instant tan. Its mousse-like formula glides over the skin, with streak-free results, and offers an instant tanning effect with impressive glow-giving pigment. All this left my skin looking immediately more radiant and refreshed. This would be a godsend if you have a busy week of events, as you can enjoy instant gratification and lasting bronzing effects in just a few sweeps.

RRP: £24 | Formula: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Vitamins B, C & E, Aloe vera and caffeine | Number of shades: 1

This instant tanning cream comes with a sponge that, like your best makeup brushes, helps to blend the formula into the skin without the need to use your hands. The formula has the same consistency as a body lotion, which meant its texture was easy to manipulate and spread across my skin. The quick-drying formula locks the layer of bronze in place in record time; I found this so helpful as it limits the time spent awkwardly waiting for the tan to dry. The resulting look was a transparent bronze glow, which coated our skin to mimic the look of spending a week in the sun, which lasted until my next shower before melting off easily with soap and water.

RRP: £9.99 | Formula: Tinted gel | Key ingredients: None specified | Number of shades: 2

I used this Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan religiously throughout my teenage years, so I felt an intense wave of nostalgia when I was blending it into my legs. That said, the actual tan itself has come a long way since I used it ten years ago and I was impressed to see that it blended much more smoothly and naturally. The hue was still as deep as I remember, with a warm undertone, so if you’re after a rich tan look, then this is the one. Being the cheapest of the pack I was surprised that it lasted for as long as it did and that it was also water and totally transfer-proof. If you want a no-frills, affordable instant tan, I would stock up on this.

RRP: £9.99 | Formula: Tinted gel | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, shea butter, sweet almond oil | Number of shades: 1

This gel-like formula looked concerningly dark for my complexion when first squeezed into my palms, but once I started working into my limbs with a body brush, my fears were allayed. The gel texture quickly and seamless blended into my skin to create an instant bronzed glow. I loved the natural-looking colour and there wasn’t so much as a hint of the dreaded orange undertone, however it did fade slightly after drying, but this was actually a good thing as it kept the results looking so natural. The scent was slightly fake tan-esque, with a slight biscuit whiff, but it's not too off-putting and worth it for this impressively fuss-free instant tan.

RRP: £10.99 | Formula: High-coverage cream | Key ingredients: Free from self-tanning actives | Number of shades: 1

This is one of the best instant tan options for darker skin tones, as it yields a deep olive hue. Due to the deeper colour, a little goes a long way, and you only need a small dab of the product to cover an impressive amount of surface area. I found the cream consistency less fluid than some other options on this list and it did take more time to blend. The staying power is impressive, lasting all day and night without budging, but then completely disappeared when it came into contact with warm water. I also loved the natural wash of colour, it's the closest you'll get to a gradual tan result with an instant tan application.

RRP: £42 | Formula: Shimmery tinted gel | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, E & arnica extract | Number of shades: 1

This product created that "my skin but better" look that most of us are after in the summer months. While this formula isn't a dramatically deep tan, this tinted serum works to boost radiance. It takes a minute to absorb into the skin, but leaves a non-greasy finish, which I liked. It’s packed with amazing skincare ingredients like vitamins C and E for nourishment, as well as arnica, which can help reduce the look of bruises or similar discoloration. It's undoubtedly the most subtle-looking instant tan I tried, so if you’re after a deep result, this won’t suit you so well. However, if you’re looking for a filter-like finish, this absolutely won’t let you down.

RRP: £17 | Formula: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Peptides, pomegranate, chamomile and goji berry | Number of shades: 3

While I don’t have the palest skin, I would have instinctively opted for the light option if that was available. Despite this, the medium shade wasn't too dark and glided onto my legs easily. I really loved the colour of my skin after applying this and a little went a really long way. I used the Bare by Vogue brush to blend, which proved really quick and easily to produce a streak-free bronze. The formula is packed with nourishing ingredients, such as peptides, which help to firm and plump the skin – while blending seamlessly with your skin and disguising the look of imperfections. This was definitely one of the best instant tan formulas of all those I tried.

RRP: £19.95 | Formula: Aerosol spray | Key ingredients: Vitamin E and cucumber | Number of shades: 2

This on-trend instant tan spray is ideal for travel and for carrying with you to top up tan on-the-go. The small but mighty spray delivers a dose of lovely shimmery tan that's also sweat-proof (a big win for summer months). It's formulated with Vitamin E, which works to nourish the skin and was great for skin smoothing. I did find this one of the more subtle instant tans I tried, but you can build up the colour by applying extra layers, which allows you to take the colour deeper. That said, I found the application much harder than other instant tans as it was tricky to control the product with the spray dispenser.