The very best fake tans to get you glowing, plus genius hacks for streak-free application

A sun-kissed glow, or the best fake tan, is the ultimate beauty booster ahead of party season. Applied correctly, it will blend in seamlessly for a ‘just back from holiday’ finish that will look great paired with your best Christmas party dress. 

The hard part? Nailing application. In theory, the ability to warm our skin up with the spritz of a bottle sounds magic. In practice, though, fake tan gone wrong is no fun for anyone. Over on TikTok, we’ve seen some genius approaches to fake tan application that we’re itching to incorporate into our routine, from faux tan freckles to the fake tan contour and (our personal favourite) this hilarious fake tan back applicator hack. 

If you do make a mistake, there’s always fake tan remover to see you right (we’ve listed some of our favourites here).

As well as handy application tips, the best fake tan formulas are becoming even easier to apply at home, offering believable and dependable results. Renowned brands include Bali Body, which recently saw a 450% surge in demand for its Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse. Meanwhile, Coco & Eve’s Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is quickly building up a cult following. After selling out three times and accumulating a 30,000 person waiting list, it’s back in stock and selling a bottle every 20 seconds.

Judging by the figures, it seems even self-tan refuseniks are dipping their toe (or entire bodies) into fake tanning for the first time. It might have a reputation for being tricky, going streaky and smelling a bit whiffy the next day, but it also has the power to overhaul pasty limbs, boost confidence and bring the sunshine – even when there is none – and it can cheer us up in the process.

Tanning is an area that continues to innovate, with brands tackling Fanta undertones, dubious scents and patchy stripes to make formulas far more user-friendly. The selection is huge – there are silky lotions, fluffy mousses, and handy 360 sprays to suit all preferences and skin types. You can even pick up speedy solutions that develop in just one hour or long-lasting heroes that stick around for up to three weeks.

Whether you like a deep golden tan or a subtle whisper of warmth, there are options for all. Scroll down to see the best fake tans that have been tried, tested and given the seal of approval by the GLAMOUR team with our in-house reviews on what exactly they’re best for.

Love a golden glow but looking for something different? We also have reviews on the best gradual tans, best tan for pale skin, bronzers, and fake tans for your face. Plus (we’re spoiling you), our top tanning tips to make sure your fake tan looks the best it can be.

Here are the best fake tans of 2021 to shop now…