Tanning Essentials For Your Summer Hols

Perfect your holiday tan and protect your skin.

Pic via jack delulio unsplash

This summer we are all about protecting our skin from harmful sun rays, and that means giving ourselves a DIY sun glow instead of sizzling on a sun lounger.

Yes, fake it till you make it guys. When you’re going away it can be hard to plan what tanning products to bring, and what to apply beforehand. We’ve been doing our research, and we’ve gathered a few of our favourite tanning and suncare products that you need to stock up on before you head away.

Get ready to look beautifully bronzed while protecting your skin – yes, it’s possible!

 

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The South of France is the location of the summer thanks to Sofia Richie, and what brand is better for your trip there than St Tropez? There’s something about summer ranges that get us every time, using a product that just smells like summer a whiff that gets you in the mood for a holiday, while you’re prepping for one! The St Tropez Self-Tan classic Berry Sorbet Mousse is the scent of the summer.

This limited-edition scent of their classic tan has notes of fresh berries and a touch of rose through warm vanilla and shades of caramel, how amazing does that sound?! We don’t want to be smelling like tan while we marinate, but smelling like a fruit smoothie? Yes please! This one’s for those who adore St Tropez, and those who love a signature scent.

 

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Okay, next up, something that helps you build up a radiant tan, but also gives you a natural glow. The Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Lotion Skin Illuminator is such a fab product to apply and wear. The shimmering pigments help you to glow even on your first day of application and when you keep applying you can build up a subtle radiant tan and it’s just gorge. Perfect for holidays when you can reapply each evening after your shower to keep your glow.


This is your overnight face tan must-have. It can be tough to achieve the perfect face tan, and sometimes it’s hard to know whether we should be applying tan to our face. But a face tan that acts like, and feels like skincare? That is what we need.

This He-Shi overnight Hyaluronic tan balm hydrates and bronzes your skin to give you a glowing tan base to wake up to. No more patchy face tan, we have found it helpful to apply with a flat top foundation brush for even coverage.

 

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Okay, but what if you could make your favourite skincare products tanning products? Well, you kind of can now thanks to Bellamianta’s Face & Body Tan Booster Drops.

These drops can be added to your fave skincare and tanning products to give an extra boost of glow, to your desired effect by  adding between 2 and 12 drops to your fave products. It’s that simple!


We had to have an instant tan in this list, because when you’re on holidays, sometimes you need a quick tan fix before dinner after a day at the beach. Your original tan is fading but you don’t have time to develop a whole fresh layer. This is where instant tan steps in.

The classic favourite Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs spray is so handy to pack in your case or even your liquids bag, it’s only 75ml! Lash on a layer before your night out and you can wash it right off in the morning, simple and effective. This one never fails.

 

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Sometimes you just want to add a little extra shimmer to your tan, whether it’s your natural base or your first layer of tan. The Bare By Vogue Liquid Body Illuminator brings your tan to the next level and makes sure you’re going to be sparkling in the sunshine or the bright lights of the city, wherever your next destination is.

Plus, if it’s good enough for Voguey it’s good enough for us, a must try!

 

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When it comes to pre-holiday tanning Bahama Body is such a great one to grab, it’s such a bargain and available in Penney’s so it’s handy to pick up during your last-minute shopping sesh before you fly (we all do one).

This tan gives such a gorgeous tone and wears off lovely. It was created by the lovely Terrie McEvoy and she always has an amazing glow on all of her trips, which tells us it’s the perfect travel partner.

 

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If you’re sticking to a classic favourite, the Dripping Gold tan has such a cult following for a reason. Suzanne Jackson’s tan will be accompanying many on their hols near and far this summer we’re sure. Their Hydra Whip Clear Tanning Mousse could be your next fave product.

Its clear formula means there’s no transfer on to clothes or sheets, which truly is the way forward.

SPF is obviously very important when it comes to the sun, so having a tinted SPF can be the perfect addition to your holiday beauty bag.

This Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Hydrating Tinted Face Lotion gives you such a natural looking glow, which can be used as a base with a little bit of cream bronzer and blush on top, or on its own for sun protection and a bit of sun kissed colour.


SPF for your body is highly important too, the Lancaster Sun Beauty Sublime Tan Body Milk SPF protects your skin from the sun, while stimulating the skin’s natural tanning process. Which is a win, win.


Lancaster also has an after sun product that helps to prolong your natural tan while hydrating and soothing your skin after being in the sun. The Golden Tan Maximizer after sun lotion is definitely worth a try if you want to hold on to that just back from holidays look long after you’re home.

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