Pre-holiday tan - help me look less like ham

[Birchwoods]

I’m going on holiday in a couple of weeks and my skin is currently what I’d describe as winter ham. I’d like to look a bit more bronzed before I have to wear a swimming costume in public.

I’ve only ever fake tanned a couple of times and it hasn’t gone very well (streaky, bad job on hands and feet - and what do you do about your face?!).

What’s the best way to look a bit more tanned before my holiday? Are spray tans still a thing? Any really good gradual tanners, or should I just have another go at fake tanning?

If anyone has any recommendations that would be great. Thank you!

Bondi Sands gradual tan (in the blue bottle) is the best I have ever used. Dove/Garnier ones aren’t a patch on that one in my experience.

Thank you! I’ll have a look for this.

I find Dove/Garnier to be really good, Bondi Sands was a bit streaky/ hard to apply for me.

I used to be the worst at applying fake tan streaks for weeks! I’ve spent a lot of time researching - and the bondi one mentioned above is great, but my all time is the gatineau gradual tanner, which is a little more expensive. Both will get the job done.

I will add is you will get the perfect application of you use one of these brushes too to apply it, what evers left of the brush use use for your feet and hands/wrist - comes out so natural and I’m as white as a ghost naturally

www.amazon.co.uk/Applicator-Foundation-Brushes-Portable-Tanning/dp/B0FX2DYT82/ref=asc_df_B0FX2DYT82?mcid=497b8a89f9313036ab2f8f4223315226&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=784589518944&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=72933308320449059&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9247412&hvtargid=pla-2456408386774&psc=1&hvocijid=72933308320449059-B0FX2DYT82-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

I did a lot of research into this recently (went down endless Reddit rabbit holes!) and went for the Tanologist gradual tanner (the light-medium in the lilac bottle). Hands down the best, most idiot-proof one I've ever used, and none of the usual DHA smell you get with fake tan. I go to the gym 6 days a week, too, so I was worried about it fading or going patchy, but no sign of it at all.

I use it every other day and it's been brilliant.

Garnier gradual tan (get the darker one) is great.
I’ve tried loads and this is the most natural on me. It’s often half price at £6 and the only one that hasn’t streaked.

I normally apply it a couple of times a week in the evening after exfoliating with a body brush and moisturising.
It takes a bit to dry and I put an extra dark sheet on my bed after waking up to a reproduction of the Shroud of Turin on my linens!

I love the Palmers Cocoa butter gradual tan. It doesn't smell as strongly as some and on my very pale, burns easily, but will take a golden tan eventually (but hasn't for decades) skin, gives a natural looking, light tan with only one application a week.

I only really use it on my legs though. I'm not sure how I'd manage it all over.