13th February 2026, by Tamara Corin | Read time: 5 minutes
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We all know to go faux is a much healthier way to tan, and with improved formulations and advanced technology, there is seriously no excuse not to turn to self-tan for a golden glow.
Patches, streaks, orange undertones and biscuit-y scents are so yesterday, meet the new gen tanning heroes giving off convincing bronzed vibes all-year round – from gradual and instant formulas to tanning drops. Before you start, you might want to prep ahead and read our guide to fixing fake tan mistakes.
This brand never disappoints. Simply mix the drops into your day or night cream, (the more drops the deeper the tan) and watch as your skin radiates with a honey hue colour in just a few hours.
If you’re often put off by the biscuity smell of fake tan, this cherry fragranced formula will be heaven scent (see what we did there?!) Works just as well mixed in with your face cream as it does your body lotion.
Featuring colour-correcting actives to help brighten skin and achieve a light, sun-kissed glow. You just need to decide which of the three strengths to choose from depending on the tan you want.
These new tanning drops are infused with radiance-boosting, skin-plumping, hydrating skincare ingredients. Use under, mixed with or on top of your moisturiser for a golden glow.
If your legs tend to be the last place that catches colour, this quick-drying formula will be your go-to all-year round for beautifully bronzed limbs. Enriched with a ‘Cellutone Complex’ (a combination of caffeine and palmitoyl) this brilliant butter reduces the appearance of cellulite and firms skin while your tan develops.
Achieve a natural-looking glow with this self-tanner, made up of hydrating and non-toxic ingredients. This is a great choice if your skin is a little extra sensitive.
Packed full of skincare benefits, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin B5 to hydrate and firm the skin. This builds quickly into a natural shade which can easily pass for a long weekend spent in sunny climates.
Super speedy to dry with colour appearing within four hours. Choose fair and medium for a subtle shade while dark works best for maintaining that post-holiday glow.
Apply your tan in circular motions to ensure you’re getting a perfect blend every time. I like to use a tanning application brush to finish to buff in the tan around the more difficult areas like ankles, wrists, hands, and the hairline, not forgetting the ears too! A brush enables you to really blend in the tan for a flawless natural finish.”_Claire Lambert, Skinny Tan Resident Tanning Expert.
In a hurry to refresh your legs pre-party? Well, this is your answer. This lightweight formula glides on effortlessly and adds just the right amount of colour for a hint of tan.
Loving Tan’s formula is organic and filled with skin-enriching ingredients that soften your skin while giving you that ‘just got back from a week in St Tropez’ glow.
Consider this an Instagram filter in a bottle. Choose from five shades to get your desired look but be warned a little goes a long way and results are immediate. Start light, then build up accordingly.
Enriched with deeply nourishing, collagen boosting skincare ingredients this new tan cream is both skin-perfecting and bronzing — it evens skin tone instantly.
This self-tanner hydrates and protects skin while also leaving a radiance veil in its path within just two hours of application. It’s buildable, streak-free, and hard to fault – apart from its price tag!
Unless you have a very willing partner or a fabulous friend that doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty (quite literally!) then this back applicator is a must for a top-to-toe flawless finish.
Created by the king of faux glow, Jules Von Hep, this easy-to use brush will gently blend, buff, and smooth your favourite tanning products to perfection.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however,
The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate
links.
Terms and Conditions for the Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf £250 Terrace Bar Tab & Shuffleboard Competition
1. Eligibility: This competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over only. Proof of age may be required.
2. Prize: The prize consists of: A £250 bar tab to be used at Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf 90 minutes of shuffleboard for a group of up to six (6) people at Electric Shuffle.
3. Redemption: The prize must be redeemed within six (6) months of the winner being notified.
-The prize can only be used at the Canary Wharf venue.
-The £250 bar tab must be used in one single visit. No change will be given for any unused portion of the bar tab.
-The shuffleboard booking for six people is for a duration of 90 minutes.
-Redemption of the prize is subject to availability.
-Advance booking is essential and should be made directly with Electric Shuffle, quoting the prize.
-Certain dates or times may be excluded due to high demand or private events.
4. Exclusions: The prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount, promotion, or voucher.
5. General: The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable, and there is no cash alternative. The promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with an alternative of equal or greater value if circumstances beyond their control make it
necessary to do so. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
The competition is run by The Italian Greyhound in partnership with The Handbook. Entrants must be aged 18 or over and resident in the UK.
One (1) winner will receive a £300 dining voucher to be redeemed at The Italian Greyhound, valid for a table of up to four (4) guests.
The voucher is valid for redemption from 16th June 2026 until 15th September 2026 (inclusive). Bookings must be made in advance and are subject to availability. The voucher cannot be used outside of this redemption period and will expire on 15th September 2026.
The prize includes food and drink from the Summer À La Carte menu, including wines and cocktails, up to the value of £300 (inclusive of service charge).
The voucher is single use only. Any unused balance is non-refundable, nontransferable, and cannot be redeemed against future visits. The voucher has no cash value and cannot be exchanged for cash, in whole or in part.
The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion, set menu or discount.
The following are excluded from the prize: the Sunday Feast Menu, bookings for more than four (4) guests, private dining bookings and bookings for events (including but not limited to bank holidays and festive periods).
The prize is non-transferable and non-refundable. There is no cash alternative.
Bookings must be made directly with The Italian Greyhound, quoting the competition reference at the time of reservation.
The Italian Greyhound reserves the right to refuse redemption of the voucher if these terms are not met. In the event of circumstances outside its reasonable control, The Italian Greyhound reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of equal value.
By entering, the winner agrees to their data being used for promotional purposes by The Italian Greyhound and The Handbook.
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
This prize voucher is valid until 31st December 2026, non-transferable and non-refundable. Reservations for Afternoon Tea must be made 48 hours in advance and are subject to availability.
This prize voucher has no monetary value and cannot be exchanged for any other hotel offer or product. The original prize voucher must be presented at Kona on arrival. Photocopies will not be accepted.
For reservation, please email [email protected] or call +44 20 7769 7766.
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