The Sunday Times - UK (2022-05-29)

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I refuse to call today’s products fake tan because

I know so many of you will turn the page, click next or

roll your eyes and say, “For goodness sake, Sarah, how

many times do I have to tell you? I hate fake tan!” So I’ve

been thinking about what I could go with instead. The

GGs, as in the glow givers? Hmm — often, when

I say “glow”, you feed back that you think it’s too sweaty,

so that won’t work. Ooh, I know — what about HFB: holiday face, bottled? Yes, genius!

Let’s go with that, because these tancare (skincare with a drop of tan) serums do just

that — they give you holiday face.

First up is a lovely French brand called Typology. Its new tanning serum, Lab-1021

10% DHA + Carob Pulp Extract ( 1 £18), adds a dollop of glow, the kind that says

springlike, countryside radiance — “I caught a drop of sun on a Saturday afternoon” —

rather than anything muddy or, worse, orange. You just pop it onto clean, dry skin in

the evening every four or five days for holiday face on repeat.

The Bare by Vogue Williams Face Tanning Serum ( 2 £25) is a skincare-packed

little wonder that hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier while ever so slightly

bronzing you up. Think a tickle of a tan each time you apply one of its three shades

(light, medium and dark). This one is so flattering it may make those who don’t really

rely on foundation feel content to go make-up-free.

Next, a new brand called Whind has launched Ourika Sun Instant Glow Tinting

Wa t e r ( 3 £32), which gives you the equivalent of what a juicy cream bronzer can do

without the usual make-up fade. The ingredients somehow mimic the natural bronzing

effect of basking in the sun, whatever your skin tone. The result is effortless and mini-

malist, and one thing to add: fake tan usually dries skin out, but this one gives it the

most divine radiant bounce for days.

And the final HFB is Amanda Harrington Tonal Tan Drops ( 4 £26). You can either

use them on their own or they can be dropped into your favourite skincare and/or

bodycare. A useful tip: if you have an upcoming trip, start topping up two or three times

a week, so on day one of your vacation you’re already suitably sun-glossed.

On the subject of Amanda Harrington, I had one of her at-home tans the other week

and it was the ultimate HBB — yep, you guessed it — holiday body, bottled. Everything

looked and felt So. Much. Better the day after. You see, this isn’t just any spray tan:

things started off normally, in that I stood naked in my living room — but instead of

spraying me with a gun, the tanning pro painstakingly painted me slowly and precisely

with a big fluffy paintbrush. My husband was all kinds of confused when he came home

slap-bang in the middle of the appointment. She swept, blended and buffed my feet!

My hands! My bottom! (Sorry, too much information.) The next day I had the most

even, holiday-vibe, bronzed, head-to-toe glow. Imagine gloriously tanned feet before

you’ve got on the plane. It takes slightly longer than a typical spray tan and prices start

from £100, but the time and effort is worth it for special occasions.

So here’s my final statement: if you hate fake tan, you will love everything I’ve

Cat Garcia mentioned today. Indeed, it’s time to get on the HFB bandwagon. ■ @sarahjossel

Sarah Jossel

Not a fan of fake tan? Skincare with a drop of colour will

give you the perfect HFB (that’s holiday face, bottled)

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The Sunday Times Style • 39