Get a tan in a flash! Be bronzed and beautiful in a matter of moments

Be bronzed and beautiful in a matter of moments

Sunshine or not, there are countless ways to fake a golden glow from a bottle. Let’s face it, though, who has the time to wait around for hours for colour to develop? This summer it’s all about the low-maintenance instant tan that takes seconds to apply and, if you make a mistake, you can just wash it off. The result? Less time in the bathroom and more time enjoying yourself!

1 FAKE UP WITH MAKE-UP If you want something with more coverage, body make-up adds a deeper shade to your legs and also helps to hide the likes of bruises, or fill in pale marks left by strap lines. James Read Body Foundation Wash Off Tan Face & Body, £12, can be built up in layers depending on how much coverage you want, plus the luscious coconut and vanilla scent smells just like summer.

2 DISGUISE DRY SKIN Our shins have less oil glands than elsewhere, so are prone to looking scaly. Exfoliating is always the first step, but in terms of a quick fix, opt for a hydrating tan with a shimmer to lift your skin tone. Kissed By Mii Instant Shimmer Temporary Tanning Lotion, £16.95, contains glycerin, which attracts moisture to the upper layer of the skin. For an extra hit of hydration, mix with body lotion.

3 SHIMMER AND SHINE Keen to keep your colour glowing? ‘Skin finishers’ are the latest products to hit the high street, and their job is to give your skin a little boost. They don’t tend to contain tanning ingredients, but will enhance any colour you already have. B. Bronzing Golden Mist, £9.99, acts as a moisturiser and can be spritzed all over, adding a golden, shimmery glow to limbs.

4 AGELESS GLOW A tan product with the bonus of skincare-inspired ingredients will help disguise typical symptoms of older skin, such as crepiness and cellulite. Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish, £29.95 (five shades), has been likened to the equivalent of sheer tights all over your body, improving the appearance of cellulite, marks and spider veins.

5 STREAK-FREE SOLUTION You might think tanning mitts are just for long-lasting formulas, but using one really does aid application and help lessen the chances of streaks. Squirt your product onto a Velvotan Tanning Mitt, £3.99, before rubbing it in an upwards motion on your skin until the product has disappeared from the mitt. What’s more, Velvotan even make miniature ones for your face, so you can get into all the nooks and crannies!