My pale skin and fake tan just couldn't get along, until I tried this one formula - and it costs less than £15
Bondi Sands' instant tinted formula gives my skin a natural glow in seconds, and builds over time
Sennen Prickett
My skin is the epitome of fair – very pale, freckles and moles everywhere, with a mere wink of the sun I'd burn without SPF. The only way my skin will ever achieve a sun-kissed glow is via a bottle of tan.
And trust me, I have tried my fair share over the years. Having such pale skin, I've found takes a certain sort of product to dull my blinding white limbs. For a long time, I found the best fake tan for pale skin to be St Tropez classic bronzing mousse, which required a long 'marinading' time and made me smell like biscuits - all very acceptable in return for the tan I would often get complimented on.
But with three young kids, a busy work life, and everything in between, developing products that take at least eight hours and then extensive exfoliation to remove just became way too much of a faff. So I decided to give instant tans a go.
Why this instant-meets-gradual tan is the best I've tried on my pale skin
Not sure where to start, the woman&home beauty team recommended I try Bondi Sands extensive gradual tanning range, which has options to suit all skin types and tones (ghostly white included). Having now tested many of them, Bondi Sands Tinted Skin Perfector Gradual Tanning Lotion has become my new go-to, combining the benefits of the best gradual tans with the instant colour hit I need. Here's everything you need to know.
Bondi Sands' Tinted Skin Perfector is a great instant option if you have very pale skin or want a quick hit of colour while you wait for the subtle golden glow to develop. It evens out my skin colour without streaks and gives me an instant confidence boost if I need to get my legs out at short notice, so is perfect for changeable spring and summer weather.
The lotion is very different to gradual tans I have previously used, which are much like moisturiser in appearance and texture. While the Tinted Skin Perfector is thick and creamy, it's a very dark brown, which blends out to add instant colour.
The first time I squeezed the bottle onto my hand was quite shocking - I was sure it would look far too dark on my skin. But I was pleasantly surprised to find it blended out quickly, evened out my skin tone to a beautiful matte glow that looks very natural and makes my confidence soar.
Before (l) and after (r) – It took about 4 minutes in total to apply the product to both legs
While this product adds instant colour, this was lost after showering for the first time. But this is sold as a gradual tan, which builds over time. And so after a few days of use, much like the other Bondi Sands products, it left a base colour that was close to the darker guide colour. Once I have built it up to my desired depth, I use it again every couple of days as a top-up, or again if I am going out or want an instant boost.
One of the main reasons for switching to a gradual tan was convenience - a product I could put on as often as I want and not need to worry about washing off. But where this product excels is the added element of instant colour, so if you can use it at the last minute and get a beautiful tan straight away.
And while I was apprehensive about wearing light coloured clothes with this on, and it going on my bed sheets, particularly in the heat, so far I haven't had any issues with colour transfer. Like most tans, the brand advises you wait until it is fully dry before dressing, which I was very careful to do.
The colour of this tan surprised me - but it works brilliantly!
The moisturiser-type consistency of this product makes it much easier to apply evenly, and if you miss a spot, it's simple to just fill and blend in the gaps. While it is possible to apply this with hands alone, and without any specific preparation, I would recommend a few key pieces of kit to create a flawless look with any tan application.
If you're worried about tan transferring onto your sheets, these TanFan sheets are an ideal solution. No more going to bed fully clothed to save your bedding; these simply slip between your sheets, protecting them from any potential stains while still keeping you comfortable.
If you want to avoid staining your hands without risking washing any tan off your wrists and arms, this Bondi Sands brush solves the problem. Great for blending in any tanning product, this would be particularly suited to the Tinted Perfector to help get an even instant colour.
Before any tanning product application, it's always a good idea to exfoliate to remove any dead or dry skin that might result in an uneven colour. This linen and cotton massage mitt is really affordable and would add an extra level of relaxation to any bath.
Another thing I love abour this is its scent. I have come to put up with all manner of fake tan smells over the years, some of which have been quite unpleasant. So it's a dream to find a product I genuinely love to use that smells good too. The scent, in fact, is very subtle, and quickly after application, isn't something I notice, which makes a very refreshing change after spending years smelling like a Digestive.
