How to get that sun-kissed look without going anywhere

There’s something about being on holiday that just seems to make everything come together; blemishes beat a hasty retreat, skin is bestowed with an otherworldly glow and effortlessly tousled hair comes naturally.

Even if our dreams of decamping to warmer climes are on hold, we can at least cheat some arrivals-lounge allure thanks to the pros whose job it is to make a freezing cold model in Great Yarmouth look as though she’s basking in the Galapagos. All it takes is a little beauty wizardry.

‘My golden rules for the ultimate natural-looking self tan start with planning ahead,’ says tanning guru James Harknett. ‘Waxing can leave a residue for a day or more so make sure you wax 48 hours before applying your tanning product. This also allows time for pores to seal so they won’t be highlighted by the tanning agent.

‘The tanning experience needn't be a chore; instead look at it as a luxury pamper. Create the perfect radiant base for self tan to cling to by using a salt scrub to slough off any build-up of body lotion and dead skin. Contrary to popular belief, moisturising before self-tanning is a no-no as it can stop the product from activating evenly. Instead, apply a sparing amount to ankles, feet, elbows, wrists and hands to prevent the self-tan from grabbing in these places.

‘Using a tanning mitt ensures that you can smooth the product quickly and evenly for a more seamless finish. Drag your mitt from the top of the shoulder towards the wrist for that even, natural fade to the hand. For hands and feet use the remnants of tan left on the mitt instead. If you like a more dramatic hue, especially on the legs, apply again the next day. That extra application can be contoured down the legs to make them look visibly slimmer and toned. If you’re tanning on a warm night at home, blast with some cool air to help it set and dry; the Dyson Supersonic is incredible at drying your tan in under a minute.

‘To ensure your tan lasts longer and fades evenly, hydration is a must and body lotion is your ultimate tan sealant! Apply generously on the chest and where bikini straps and bras can rub away at the tan. The ingredients help maintain your colour and keep it locked onto the skin for longer.’ 

If you need to help with finding out which fake tan is best for you you can also check our handy guide.

‘When it comes to achieving healthy-looking radiance with bronzer, the key is to choose the right shade,’ advises makeup artist Irena Rogers. ‘For fair to light skin tones, I’d recommend going two shades darker with a peachy/coral undertone and avoiding anything with red or grey tones in it (ashy-looking bronzers are much better for contouring). Olive skin suits coppery undertones while for dark skin, the aim is to give a healthy glow rather than make the skin darker so something with a little sheen gives a beautiful luminosity to the complexion. Apply where the sun would naturally hit the face, or, if the skin is super fair, include ears and blend down the neck and onto the chest if needed.

‘Texture-wise, I prefer cream or liquid bronzers as they’re easier to blend and the finish tends to look more natural, but if you opt for a powder (which might be a better choice for oilier skin types) make sure they’re finely milled with buildable texture to avoid looking cakey. Blending is really important to achieve a perfect naturally tanned look. Pair with skin illuminators (especially if using a matte bronzer) to add dimension to the face. Opt for highlighters with bronze or golden tones to them and apply to the high points of the face (tops of cheekbones, temples, Cupid’s bow and tip of the nose). Finish with a coral blush on the apples of the cheeks; a shade which flatters all skin tones, it instantly warms up pale skin while giving olive and black skins a fresh flush.’

‘The best beachy hair hack is to put your hair in plaits and sleep in it; the more braids you put in, the more texture you get,’ says super stylist Leigh Keates. ‘If you need a more instant fix, spritz your hair with a blow-dry spray before braiding and drying it lightly with a hair dryer. Run your fingers through your hair to loosen, then scrunch in a smoothing creme to remove frizz or layer with texture spray to enhance that raw beachy vibe.

‘Another option is to use heated appliances such as a straightening iron to create texture. Set the temperature to suit your hair type, then, clamping at the root, glide the iron toward the ends at a consistent pace, rotating the plates 180 degrees and alternating the direction at each rotation. Style as before.’