Fake tan recommendation for a total novice

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

I'm 51 and very pale skinned. Reddish/light brown hair and blue eyes. I have never sunbathed and my skin is the best preserved bit of me. I don't mind being pale, but we have a beach (uk) holiday coming up and I'm dreading looking white and wobbly (I'm a decently proportioned size 16) in my swimsuit. I want to swim and will wear a normal one piece.

I don't want to go to a beauty salon to get a fake tan as I just hate the thought of that - I never, ever, have anything done.

I'm quite clumsy, time strapped, but don't mind what I spend. I don't want to go too dark.

I've never done this before.

All recommendations gratefully received.

As a blue person I’ve tried A LOT of tans. Spray tans are good for holiday though. So even! It’s really easy and you can wear what you want in the salon- people normally just wear knickers. I’m overweight and they’ve never even blinked.
The best brand for a novice in my opinion is bondi sands everyday (Superdrug in a blue bottle)
But all fake tans need a bit of practice- start now and see how you go with it.

Oh and salon ones come in different shades- you can have a very light one.

Thank you. I really am a total novice. And very clumsy too. I'll have a practice.

I have auburn hair and am very fair, I’ve recently started using skinny tan everyday glow in light. It was only about £8 in Superdrug, it’s just taking the edge off my paleness but looks very natural.
I’m treating it as a false tan, so showering and exfoliating first then rub in well, it doesn’t have a particularly strong false tan smell, then I wash my hands and then rub a little bit on the backs of my hands after I’ve washed them so I’m even but without orange palms. I do it every other day in the evening and I’m impressed so far

Exfoliate a lot before hand. I'd get a body brush / mitt and, if you have time, use it every day for a week before you fake tan. Also use an exfoliating scrub, then rinse it off well before you apply the tan. Superdrug Vitamin E body scrub is the best one out there.

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold oil, but the gradual one. You literally can't fuck it up.

It is a light oil so it sinks in immediately, it doesn't stain sheets, there is no streaking, it's gradual but does work. Use a tanning mitt. I love it.

Bondi sands mousse - best thing I've ever bought for myself! I'm totally awful with make up and the like, so was really worried about it initially, but it goes on so smoothly. Glides really nicely and you can see where you've put it. What I like is that you control how dark it is - wash off any time between 1-6 hours depending on how dark you want to go. It doesn't go patchy either and doesn't streak in water. I feel like a salesperson but honestly, it's wonderful if you were willing to pay extra they also do a tan eraser, which gave me peace of mind when first applying it.

Use your oldest / darkest towels!

Thank you all. Lots of good advice. I'll experiment.

Bondi sands do seem to have hit the mark for sure. Love the express too but thought it might scare her on application!
The hands tip is really important. Really wash your hands throughly after application- including between fingers then lightly wipe the back of your hands over arms to pick up a bit of fake tan.

Garnier Summer Body every time.