It was with the very, very greatest fear and trepidation that we tried Spray di Solé Sun Gelée. It's all very well knowing that this bronzer/self-tanner is 'taking Hollywood by storm'.  But on this side of the pond, in April, it's going to be used on skin which basically looks like it's spent winter under a stone.  Serious room for error, here.

At first pump this looks scarily like Camp Coffee (remember that stuff...?).  The thin, tan-tinted liquid's also reminiscent of Guerlain's long-lost Teint Créole, which was for years Beauty Bible's go-to leg tint.  (Very first we ever used, actually.)

The secret weapon, here, is the kabuki brush.  We'd never have thought of putting on a face tint/self-tanner with a kabuki brush - but this one's synthetic and if you squirt one or two pumps into the bristles, that's all that's needed for an immediate glow, and longer-term tanning.  Through the swirling action, it blends amazingly into skin for flawless results (not a word we use lightly) - and because it's tinted, you can see exactly where it goes.  It features hyaluronic acid so it feels comfy on skin, and make-up goes on easily, on top.

So far, so good.  So far, so nail-biting, nonetheless, because exactly how dark would it go, after eight hours' development...?  The answer is:  perfectly, lightly sun-kissed.  Jo tried it before the weekend and has ever since had people telling her how well she looks, and 'is that a Hastings tan...?'  Which it is.  (Hastings being the sunniest spot in Britain.)  A total cheat, however, acquired in her bathroom, where frequent top-ups will be applied during the summer season.

The how-to video on Spray de Solé's site here suggests it can be used to cover up tan lines, too.  Good wheeze.  And if you're a real wuss, there's a Liquid Bronzer version that washes right off again.

UK readers click here to find Spray di Solé Sun Gelée at www.victoriahealth.com/£42 for 15 ml (including brush) NB  To take advantage of a special discount at VH, click here for our site, then click through to VH.  Takes a few clicks but worth it to save £2.10, no...? US readers find it here/$49