INSTANT WASH-OFF BODY BRONZER

The alternative to self-tanner, for anyone in search of instant colour and fool proof results. These bronzing products are by no means a new idea, but you may not realise they go back quite so far – at least to the 1930s, when brands like Guerlain introduced sunless tanning options (in their case, Teint Doré). 

We used to have a category for them in Beauty Bible Awards of yore (um, not going quite so far back as the Thirties!), but dropped it when successive products failed to impress. We’re pleased to reintroduce this category for 2023, with a worthy winner that you may well want to have on hand for bare-leg emergencies. (We certainly will.)

GOLD AWARD  Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant 

A big of a legend in beauty editor circles, so we’re not surprised this scooped Gold (in every way). It is described as ‘body make-up’, and really, that’s what it is, evening out skintone and imperfections, veiling skin in a realistic shade of tan. It’s available in several shades, with our testers trialling Café Crème (Extra Light). It’s not completely matte, with light-reflecting particles that get you ‘photo-ready’ (promise Vita Liberata), if that’s your thing. This Irish brand, founded by Alyson Hogg, has done consistently well in these Awards over the years across a span of tanning products, all formulated with organic extracts (though not 100% natural).

£33 for 100ml - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘I saw this product as a gimmick at first, but once I tried it, I really enjoyed it. IT didn’t leave a tacky finish and I could dress pretty much as soon as I had blended it in; it didn’t transfer on my clothes, or even on my bedsheets, washed off well and made me consider not using fake tan again!!’ • ‘It emerges from the tube very dark, almost black, but blends into such a lovely shimmery bronze – like I'd spent a week on holiday and applied a bit of moisturiser after! It also washes off very easily, no scrubbing needed’ • ‘ I love this product; I love everything about it! Speaking as someone who can never be bothered with the two-day lead-up prep faff before fake tanning, this is perfect for me. I can slap it straight on after a shower and give my lilywhite legs a lovely silky glow which I know won't come off in a rain shower • ‘A little goes along way with this product but it goes on like a dream; it is easy to blend, and there is none of the horrific tide marks around the feet and wrists that fake tan leaves’ • ‘Gave me an even, glowy, slightly bronzed look to my legs – it still looked like my skin, but better. Quick and easy to apply with no awful smell; it gives a lovely glow to the skin, whilst moisturising it and covering blemishes’ • ‘My skin feels soft and smooth and it dries quickly without leaving a tacky finish. I would definitely buy this product again. An amazing discovery! ’ • ‘The product evens out skin tone and provides a smooth, lightly tanned tone to the skin. I had no problems removing the product as it just washed off with my usual shower gel. I’d definitely buy again; it covered scars, while a few bruises looked less ominous.’

£33 for 100ml - click to buy