Back

Beauty editor-approved quick fixes for the perfect tan

For when you have zero time to spare

By Briar Clark

BeautyCrew Beauty Editor / October 21 2019

Most Aussie girls have a fake tanning ritual which usually commences on a Thursday night with the intention of looking like a bronzed goddess come Friday night. The process is lengthy and involves rigorous exfoliation, a keen eye for detail (no streaks here!) and lashings of moisturiser for that all-over Victoria’s Secret model glow.

But, what do you do when you’ve been invited somewhere last minute, and you don’t have the time for the full routine?

During the latest episode of the Get Lippy podcast, beauty editors Carli Alman, Bettina Tyrrell and Sally Hunwick discussed their go-to quick fixes for the perfect tan:

St Tropez Instant Tan

“There's a light to medium and a medium to dark. I use a medium to dark. You can build the colours really easily. It's a lotion that you just apply like you would a moisturiser, and it's got that instant colour. The good thing about it is it's transfer-resistant, so I find it doesn’t rub off on my clothes.”

- Carli Alman, BEAUTYcrew Editor

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Illuminator

“I put on my instant tan, and then I roll on this Illuminator and kind of massage it in. It gives this really beautiful glow to the skin. It's not shimmery, it's not sparkly, it's just that radiance.”

- Carli Alman, BEAUTYcrew Editor

MAC Studio Face & Body Foundation

“[It] has been around for so long and it's used on so many models' legs.”

- Bettina Tyrrell, InStyle Beauty Editor

KKW Beauty Skin Perfecting Body Foundation

“Kim Kardashian released her body makeup; she's put pictures up of how that's covered her psoriasis.”

- Carli Alman, BEAUTYcrew Editor

Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk

“You can use a gradual tan. I know Bondi Sands do a really good one, it's called the Gradual Tanning Milk.”

- Carli Alman, BEAUTYcrew Editor

Jergens Natural Glow

“I've always loved the Jergens Natural Glow.”

- Carli Alman, BEAUTYcrew Editor

Luna Bronze Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

“If you're into natural beauty, there's some really nice natural options out there as well, like Luna Bronze.

- Sally Hunwick, marie claire Beauty Director

Want more insider know-how on how to perfect your tan, why the type of hairbrush you use matters, and the lowdown on chemical-free fragrances? Then tune into the latest ep of Get Lippy below:

A little wary of committing to a full face of tan? These self-tanning products will add a sun-kissed glow to your face.

What are your tips for a perfect tan? Let us know in the comments below.

Main image credit: @alessandraambrosio

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).