The Panel

A good bronzer is one way to fake it, says Sarah Caden, who has five favourites

Go big on bronzers

Thus far, the weather has been predictably unpredictable. What did we expect? It’s Ireland, and it’s always thus, but this year, we expected it to be different. We expected a reward for good behaviour in the form of a continental-style summer. We expected that missing out on foreign sun would mean it would be splitting the rocks here. Instead, well, it’s just an Irish summer: nice in parts. No wonder we reach for the tan in whatever cosmetic form we can find it.

Today, we offer you the easy-on-and-off bronzer option, the fairly foolproof and easily fixable way to sun-up. No shade recommendations, however, as there’s no one-to-fit-all with bronzer. Too dark will still look fake on fair skin, while too pale on dark skin is ashy. Keep it real, even while faking summer.