We tried 5 fake tans for under £15 – the one that looked like butter gave us fiver’s worth and smells delicious

FINDING the perfect fake tan isn’t easy… especially when some brands can cost upwards of £40 a bottle but don’t always do what they say on the label.

Pinkish glows can soon turn into annoying orange hues, which is why the Fabulous team has done the hard work for you to see which ones deliver the best results, at the lowest prices.

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Fake tan is a convenient way to achieve a tanned look without the damage of sun exposure and is not only safer, but also faster.

The early 90s saw a rise in its popularity, and more than 20 years later, fake coverage has come a long way, with a huge amount of options to choose from.

From British teen classic St Moriz to underrated Superdrug own-brand mousse, the team tested five of the high streets with just one rule – they’re all under £15 a pop and some are even under a fiver.

Each tester followed the included instructions and used the glove provided to give everyone a fair chance.

See how they fared…

Superdrug Solait Medium Self-Tanning Mousse – £3.98 (was £5.99)

Tester: Abby Wilson, fabulous senior digital writer

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On first impressions, I didn’t like the smell at all. It has coconut on the label so I was expecting a delicious summer scent, but unfortunately I didn’t get that with this tan. It’s hard to describe, but far from being fruity, it actually had an almost metallic smell.

Not only that, but I found the pump to be quite silly and the tan itself was much harder to blend and spread than others I’ve used previously.

And compared to my usual favorite tan, it didn’t dry very quickly, and when I accidentally applied it to my white bathroom wall, it left a brown cheek-shaped mark.

Washing off your tan after an hour felt really weird to me, as someone who regularly sleeps in theirs. However, I must say that I am impressed with the results.

This product gives a very natural tan and if you want something a little bolder, I suggest leaving it on for longer or choosing a darker shade.

I’m impressed with the results, but now my whole room stinks of this stuff, so I’ll probably stick with my OG purchase. Saying that, if you’re on a budget and want a tan for last minute plans, I’d say you should give it a try.

Fantastic rating: 6/10

bBold Dream Dark Tan Mousse – £9.50

Tester: Josie O’Brien, Fabulous Senior Digital Writer

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The first thing that caught my attention about this tan was the “juicy watermelon” smell – it’s delicious.

The mousse, which you can buy from Primark, applied so smoothly and had a buttery texture that it felt so creamy once I started rubbing it in.

It dried super quickly and wasn’t streaky at all, meaning I was able to get on with my day quickly without feeling sticky.

As for the color, I ended up with a natural bronze tone instead of an orange glow – something I was really happy with.

My only issue is that the tan seemed to cling to my dry patches and accentuate the “strawberry skin” on my legs, even after washing it off eight hours later.

I’m still adding this tan to my arsenal – the smell, color and texture are dreamy. I just recommend anyone with dry skin moisturize twice a day before applying.

It’s definitely better than a lot of high-end tans I’ve tried, so how can you go wrong for £9.50?

Fantastic rating: 9/10

Guide for fake tan lovers to apply it without streaks

Here’s the fabulous ultimate guide to a flawless, streak-free fake tan that will leave you looking like you just stepped off the beach…

Preparation is key

A streak-free tan starts with proper skin preparation. Exfoliate your skin well 24 hours before application. Focus on rough areas like elbows, knees, and ankles to ensure an even canvas. Opt for an exfoliant with natural ingredients to avoid irritation.

Hydration Station

Moisturize your entire body right after exfoliating, but pay extra attention to dry areas. On the day of your tan, apply a light, oil-free moisturizer to these areas just a few hours before your planned tan. This prevents the tan from clinging to dry patches and developing unevenly.

Formulate, don’t hate

Selecting the right indoor tanning product can make all the difference. Mousse formulas are easier to apply and blend. Tanning drops can be added to your regular facial moisturizer to blend your face and body.

Application time

Using a tanning mitt is non-negotiable for even application. Dispense a small amount of product onto the glove and apply with long, sweeping movements. Start at the ankles and work your way up to avoid creases. Apply sparingly to joints and use a soft makeup brush for hands and feet.

Post-tan care

After applying your tan, let it dry completely before getting dressed. Loose, dark clothing is best to avoid color transfer. Avoid water and sweat for at least six to eight hours while your tan develops. After the first rinse, gently dry your skin and moisturize daily to prolong your tan.

No7 Perfectly Tan Self-Tanning Mousse – £14.95

Tester: Mia Lyndon, beauty assistant

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This fake tan has a very strong, sweet, cloying caramel smell, which I’m not a fan of.

However, it had a light brown guide color which really helped with application and ensured my tan was even rather than patchy – I don’t like a tan without a guide color as it makes application very tricky as it’s hard to see which areas you have covered.

The texture of the tan is a light, whipped mousse, flecked with dark patches of tan – very unusual.

I found it quite easy to blend as it glides onto the skin and doesn’t dry or stick too quickly.

I applied three layers and left the tan for four hours. No7 recommends leaving it on for three to five hours.

I was so disappointed after washing it for the first time, I could barely tell I was wearing it. However, when I woke up the next morning, my legs and upper body had a deeper golden glow.

Fantastic rating: 6/10

St Moriz Professional Medium Tanning Mousse – £4.99

Tested by Kate Kulniece, fabulous writer

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I’ve been using fake tan religiously for over a decade now — so it’s safe to say I have my favorites and the ones I swear by.

But it seems like this cheap little bottle could easily surpass my current Holy Grail.

St Moriz mousse not only leaves you with a gorgeous sun-kissed glow, but it also smells fabulous – think Piña Colada on a sunny beach.

At first, I was a little skeptical because I’m a gradual fake tan kind of girl, but this rapidly developing St. Moriz number could change everything.

Fantastic rating: 10/10

BPerfect 10 Second Tan Mango Ultra Dark Mousse – £13.31 (was £19.99)

Tested by Josie O’Brien, Senior Digital Writer at Fabulous

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Of course, this tan is formulated with aloe vera because it doesn’t stick to dry patches.

It glides really well on the skin and has a subtle mango scent that I really liked – it’s better than the cookie scent left by some other brands.

However, I found that it dried almost too quickly – and I felt like I was sanding my legs trying to blend it if I didn’t work it quickly enough.

That being said, it doesn’t leave any annoying marks and lasted a few days before it started to fade.

Although I tried the Ultra Dark shade, the result was a more medium tan, so I suggest applying two layers of foam for a more dramatic transformation.

Fantastic rating: 7/10