Self-tanning is a safe, effective way to get the colour of your dreams in no time, without compromising your skin’s health. Those with fair skin often struggle to find a self-tanner that suits their skin tones, and doesn’t look unnatural, so here are some recommendations.
What shade should you use if you have fair skin?
If you have used self-tanner, you may have found that different shades can make a big difference. Obviously, the shade you choose depends on your preferences, but the most popular is to use dark or even ultra-dark.
Most brands have three shades available – light, medium, and dark. If you are looking for a real, bronze glow, you should go for the dark shade, which makes sense. Although the lighter shade is most like your natural skin colour, it often doesn’t offer enough pigment, so you won’t notice a difference.
Dark self-tanners usually tend to have a more bronzed finish than other self-tanner shades and have yellow to olive undertones. These undertones look more natural than following the undertones of lots of fair skin – pink and red. If you’re really worried about looking orange afterward, choose a shade that has an olive or green undertone.
If you are looking for a more natural finish, a good thing to look for is a color-correcting self-tanner, as this will make your tan look even more glowy.
Also read:
What Self-Tanner Do Celebrities Use? (Kardashians, J.Lo, …)
Does Self-Tanner Go Out of Date? Can You Still Use It?
Best self-tanners for fair skin
There are many self-tanners suitable for fair skin out there but, if you are struggling to find one for you, here are some great options for fair skin.
Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse – Dark
The Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse in Dark is a great option for a natural but dark tan. You leave this one on for 6 hours to develop and wash off to reveal impressive results. The longer you leave this on for, the better your results will be.
One great thing is that it doesn’t have that awful, signature self-tanner smell like some products do. The scent doesn’t stink of chemicals or any other unnatural substances.
For those with more mature skin, you’ll be happy to hear that this self-tanner is suitable for you too! Many self-tanners can look patchy or uneven on more mature skin, but this one is great and looks very natural.
Although it does have more of a red undertone to it, this product doesn’t look orange or unnatural at all. In fact, it actually compliments the natural undertones of the skin while making it glow at the same time.
- Made By Tan Lovers For Tan Lovers – The Deluxe Bronzing Mousse gives you a natural looking tan with immediate colour. The quick drying foam dries after just 60 seconds and leaves no sticky residue. Rinse the colour guide off after eight hours. Your tan will continue to develop into a deeper, darker tan over the next 24 hours.
- Colour Guide Technology – The built-in colour guide contains an instant bronzer making the application foolproof. The colour guide technology ensures an easy, streak-free application every time. Our sunless tanner not only nourishes and hydrates your skin but is deliciously fragrant. Experience a healthy, glowing complexion with every application.
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Jergens Natural Glow Sunless Tanning Lotion
Gradual self-tanners are the perfect choice for those who don’t have much time, those who are new to self-tanning or struggle with the application, and anyone looking for a more customisable, controllable product.
This gradual tanner is made to darken and enhance your natural colour but do so over time. As briefly mentioned, this allows you to have more control over your colour, as you can apply it the next day if you wish to go darker or stop applying it when you’re happy with your colour.
One other thing worth mentioning is the unbeatable price of this self-tanner – it’s only $10!
- FLAWLESS SELF TANNER - Create a flawless, quick tan with gradual, natural-looking color for gorgeous skin and blended color for fair to medium skin.
- INSTANT SUNLESS TANNING - Lightweight, airy tanning mousse enhances your natural skin tone to mimic results from the sun.
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St. Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse
St Tropez is known for their premium, high-quality tanning products to give you your natural, flawless tan without the sun.
(Mine is extra dark because I have pale skin)
This self-tanner is their classic one, and it takes 4-8 hours to develop, depending on your preferences. It only takes 60 seconds to dry, however, so you can easily just slap some of this on and let it settle while you get on with your day.
So many people have commented on their natural-looking skin after using this. The tones in this self-tanner are just perfect for fair skin, and it doesn’t appear orange whatsoever.
- Natural looking guide color
- Wash hands after application
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Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Organic Self-Tanner Mousse – Dark
If you’ve ever used any other products from Coco & Eve before, you’ll know how lovely and luxurious they feel on your skin. Their Bali Bronzing Self-Tanner Mousse is no exception, whatsoever.
If you feel conscious about cellulite or skin aging, this one is perfect for you – it has been created with technology to reduce the appearance of these when applied. Not only will your skin go a stunning shade of brown, but you’ll feel great in your body too!
If you’re worried about that horrible scent from most self-tanners, there’s no need to worry about that anymore, as the natural, fruity ingredients in this one conceal any chemical smells.
It takes just two hours to develop too and is vegan and cruelty-free!
- NATURAL LOOKING, SUN KISSED SKIN WITHOUT SUN DAMAGE OR CHEMICALS. The world's first 100% Natural DHA self-tan body treatment with full skin care benefits. Transforms your skin without any of those nasty streaks or blotches for a beautiful natural looking, golden glow with no orangey tones.
- ANTI-AGING WITH ZERO NASTIES. This lightweight mousse delivers an instant bronze glow that is fast drying and develops in just 2 hours to a long-lasting tan. Infused with raw virgin coconuts, botanicals and amino acids to hydrate, blurs pigmentation and cover blemishes to perfect your skin. Created using our unique Cellushape technology enriched with powerful natural antioxidants like fig, banana, papaya and cocoa to improve signs of aging.
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St. Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Mousse – Dark
Last but not least, this self-tanning mousse is the most affordable of the instant tanning options, but there is no compromise on quality.
As a self-tanner suitable for all skin types, you can be sure that this one will work on your skin, no matter whether it’s oily or dry. Just like most other self-tanning mousses, this one takes 4-8 hours to dry, depending on your intentions.
The smell isn’t particularly unpleasant, however, it doesn’t have the best of self-tanners, so it’s best to use a scented lotion afterwards. You can also keep your tan for longer if you maintain it properly.
- Our professional extra large dark instant tanning mousse is a must-have classic amongst our St Moriz #tantribe; it comes with a wash off guide colour so you can achieve a flawless faux glow
- This fast drying fake tan is infused with aloe vera & vitamin E to soothe and moisturise your skin - with our golden formula you'll be ready to strut your sun-kissed stuff in style
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Best self-tanner for fair skin with freckles
Fair skin itself is one challenge when using self-tanner, but fair skin with freckles is another. As a redhead myself, I experience freckles all over my body, not just the face, and this can sometimes get in the way when I self-tan.
So far, my favourite self-tanner to use for my fair, freckled skin is the Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam. It does a great job of blending with my freckles, without making them stand out too much or look unnaturally dark when I tan.
Unlike many self-tanners, this one doesn’t have that chemical-like smell. In fact, the sweet, coconut scent it has is quite pleasant and refreshing, but not too overpowering. This is a huge plus as it can be so awkward when the smell of my fake tan gives the fake bake away.
- Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam is a lightweight, tanner that’s simple to apply and gives a flawless finish, every time; Simply smooth on the weightless self tanning foam for an even, streak-free, bronzed tan
- Our unique, salon quality formula is enriched with aloe vera and coconut, for the ultimate natural, bronzed glow
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Bondi Sands self-tanning products all have a green undertone to give the effect of a more natural-looking tan. Basically, it prevents the tan from looking or turning, orange over time. When applying, keep in mind that the product may look a little green, but this is normal and doesn’t mean it’s faulty in any way – once the tan has fully developed it will look very natural.
Bondi Sands self-tanners are pretty dependable in terms of the formula – they are never streaky or smudged on your skin. This means you can be confident that you won’t have to deal with an uneven tan, and it will look very natural. Oh, and this one doesn’t go patchy when it fades and just has a gradual, even fade.
Tips:
- Use an exfoliator and moisturiser to prepare the skin prior to self-tanning
- Allow drying for a little before putting on clothes on top to prevent smudging
- Wear loose, baggy clothes and ones which are darker to prevent any staining
- You could apply this before going to bed and rinse it in the morning to save time
- Maintain your tan using a daily moisturiser as this keeps the skin hydrated and stops the tan from going patchy
Final thoughts
In conclusion, choosing the right self-tanner for your skin is an important step for natural, flawless colour. Fair skin can look unnatural after using self-tanner in some circumstances but choosing the right one can prevent this. When you know what to look for, you can achieve the colour of your dreams, even with fair skin!
