Not fake tan, just “warmed up a bit”

[Decanter]

I have red hair and pale skin but not lovely porcelain skin, just pale patchy blah skin which never sees the light of day. I’m looking to warm up my legs a smidge to wear shorts on holiday, but just tried Sally Hansen airbrush legs, and even the lightest one is too orangey. Would appreciate any suggestions on how to achieve a very light natural looking “glow” Would rather something that washes off but happy to hear about alternatives. Thank you

Dove or Johnson’s Summer Sun moisturiser instead? The kind that builds up a little each day?

I'm very pale and I find the Clarins drops that you mix into body lotion or oil are great. You can control the amount of colour and adjust it to get the right shade for you.

This Works Pergect Legs Skin Miracle. It’s not cheap but it’s subtle so may be just what you’re after. You can choose between a wash on/wash off or a gradual tan option.

If you’re as pale as me the johnsons or dove gradual tanners will be very orange on you.

I’ve just started using bondi sands everyday tanning milk which is a gradual tanner, not at all orange even on my paler than pale skin and hasn’t streaked at all. I’d given up on fake tans as every single one made me orange and streak (even a professional spray tan) but this stuff seems to suit me. Just gives a tiny hint of golden glow. Still pongs a bit but I think they all do.

Rodial - by far the best for pale skin in my (extensive!) experience. Expensive but worth it - different ball game to cheaper high street ones, I think.

I like Lancôme flash bronzer but I mix it in with my daily moisturiser for a subtle glow

Garnier Summer Body in LIGHT. The DEEP would be a bit orangey, I think.

I don't think Johnson's mage holiday skin anymore. I used to use the light one but haven't been able to find it anywhere mire recently. The dove one isn't bad. Ambre Solaire no steaks bronzer very is very subtle - almost to subtle but that might suit you.

Too

Thanks for all your suggestions, will look into them all

I read on another gradual tanner thread that the “light” versions may be more orangey than the “dark” version of the same thing. I am pale blue (Irish), and have kind of given up on things as they’re always orange, but an intrigued enough to try a dark version of something just for comparison

I think I have similar colouring and used the dark version of the Amber Solaire gradual tan which pretty much acts like self tan on me. Nice non-orangey colour white h gets lots of compliments

Just placemarking as I look like death warmed up in the summer. Thank you for all the suggestions 😊

I recently tried skinny tan body glow, it's a moisturiser that gradually gives a nice tan/glow. My dd1 uses it too and we both like it. Both very pale.

Maybe you could try a tinted face moisturizer, something cheap like Boots natural collection?

I'm very pale and use the St Tropez tan for the shower. It's not orange on me and I can built up as much as I want.

Agree Garnier summer body, lightest one is great. I have red hair and am very pale with freckles and I think it helps!

St Tropez instant tan. It's water resistant, only washes off with soap/cleanser and water so no worries if it rains. I'm very pale and the light/medium one is lovely and subtle. You can build the colour up if you want it darker. Not orange toned at all. I prefer my pale skin but if I feel the need for a bit of colour on my legs and arms it's my go to product.

If you’re as pale as me the johnsons or dove gradual tanners will be very orange on you.

Agree with this. I've yet to find a gradual tanner that isn't too obvious. Trouble with tanning pale skin is any missed bits or streaks, are very obvious once it develops. It's why I prefer a wash off product. You can easily correct mistakes and see where you've been.

I have a naturally pale blue tinge and use sally hansen’s Airbrush legs in the palest shade, half diluted in the palm of my hand with body lotion. I like it. It is very subtle and washes off. The blue tinge is fine by me for cycling, walking shorts, tennis, etc so I wouldn’t want anything more permanent than that.

What about the Clarins drops you add to body moisturiser. I have just done my legs with one coat. A subtle change but it has taken the edge off the white.