The Best Tan Products for a Radiant Wedding Day Glow
Photography by Laura Dean PhotographyYour wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and achieving the perfect glow can enhance your confidence and overall look. Choosing the right self-tan formulation is crucial, and the good news is that there are plenty of innovative, skin-loving options available. From silky body lotions and fluffy mousses to natural mists, it all comes down to colour preference and what you prefer to use. Whether you want a deep golden tan or a subtle, natural glow, we've rounded up the best fake tans to suit every bride’s needs.
The Best Tan Products for a Flawless Wedding Glow - Tried & Tested
What’s the Best Way to Apply a Fake Tan?
Prepping is the most important step before applying any tan. If you’re new to tanning, we recommend starting with a gradual tan. This is so you can build up a subtle glow over a few days. You can practice your tan application with this before going in with a dark mousse. Alternatively, a lightweight mousse with a built-in colour guide is helpful with application too. Exfoliate beforehand, apply your tan with a tanning mitt (to avoid excessive staining on your hands) in circular motions, and avoid water exposure for at least six hours after application.
How Long Does a Fake Tan Last?
A fake tan typically lasts between 7 and 10 days, depending on your prep and maintenance. If your skin is dry, the tan may fade more quickly due to faster shedding of dead skin cells. To prolong your tan, get a good moisturising routine in place. Moisturise daily using an oil-free moisturiser, as oils can also break down your faux glow faster.
What Should I Look for When Shopping for a Fake Tan Product?
Always check for ingredients that suit your skin type and promote hydration. The more hydrated and smooth the skin, the longer the tan will last. Tans enriched with hyaluronic acid help nourish and moisturise the skin, leading to a more even and longer-lasting tan. Aloe vera is another great ingredient, offering hydration and essential vitamins like A, B, C, D, and E, ensuring a smooth and healthy-looking tan.
Best Fake Tan Mousse
Mousse is a go-to for many tanning enthusiasts due to its lightweight, easy-to-apply formula. The Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is a top pick for brides, offering a quick-drying, ultra-lightweight application with a streak-free finish. The unique formula instantly hydrates and conditions the skin, helping to keep skin soft and supple. Plus, it's topped with a delicious tropical mango and guava scent.
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Coming in for us at a close second is the St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse. One of the OG's in the fake tan game, this tanning mousse is buildable and smooth. The fake tan allows you to add depth of colour without any heavy, cakey build-up being left behind. An infusion of Jojoba helps nourish your skin, encouraging it to last for up to 10 days after application.
St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse
Best Natural Fake Tan
For brides who prefer a more natural, subtle tan, the Eco by Sonya Cacao Tanning Mousse is an excellent choice. This organic formula is enriched with organic coffee, blood orange, ginger & mandarin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and promote smooth skin. Free from harsh chemicals, it’s also great for sensitive skin, ensuring a natural-looking tan that won’t irritate your complexion.
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Green People Self Tan Lotion is another natural self-tan that we're loving! With a certified organic formula, this tan is suitable for all skin types, including those prone to eczema or psoriasis. Made from organic plant extracts and other all-natural ingredients including a natural tanning ingredient derived from sugar to give you a healthy, natural-looking tan!
Green People Self Tan Lotion
Best Gradual Tan
A gradual tan is ideal for brides looking to build their glow over time. The Dove Visibleglow Self-Tan Lotion is a fantastic choice, as it doubles as a body lotion while giving you a natural, buildable tan. It’s perfect for those who want to control their tan intensity and avoid streaks. The added hydration means your skin stays soft and radiant throughout your wedding celebrations.
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Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion is a lightweight moisturiser that features an oil/lotion hybrid formula, an innovation in tanning technology that allows the product to melt onto the skin and absorb easily. In just one hour, the tan will begin to develop, creating a golden glow with a lit-from-within luminosity that is entirely buildable!
Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion
Best Express Mousse Tan
If you're short on time, an express tan can be a lifesaver. The Loving Tan 2 HR Express Mousse is a game-changer, delivering a beautiful bronze glow in just two hours. You can customise the depth of your tan by leaving it on longer, making it a versatile option for last-minute tanning needs.
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When it comes to self-tan and SPF, there's no denying that Australian brands do it best. Baddest Express Tanning Mousse gives you gorgeous colour results in just two hours! The tan has a flawless, streak-free finish AND it wears off naturally and evenly.
Baddest Express Tanning Mousse
Best Fake Tan For Face
A good face tan should be lightweight, non-comedogenic, and hydrating. The Sienna X Self Tan Concentrated Serum Drops are a must-have for brides, allowing you to mix a few drops with your favourite moisturiser for a custom glow. Skin stays hydrated thanks to a blend of Shea Butter and Vitamin E while a radiant, holiday-looking glow develops in just a few short hours. This vegan formula ensures an even, natural-looking tan without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
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This bedtime face mist features a soothing blend of ylang ylang, jasmine, and lavender to help you feel relaxed and well-rested as you wake up radiant not just from the Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self Tan Face Mist! Hyaluronic acid and moisture-locking glycerin deeply hydrate skin while you sleep.
Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self Tan Face Mist
Best Tan Remover
Sometimes, mistakes happen, and having a reliable tan remover is essential. The Rose & Caramel Purity Excel 60 Second Tan Remover is a lifesaver for any last-minute tanning errors. It gently exfoliates and removes any unwanted tan while hydrating the skin. Whether you need to fix a streak or start fresh, this product ensures a clean slate without irritation.
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Apply the Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser to dry skin and wait around 5 minutes before showering, and exfoliate off the product to reveal fresh tan-free skin!
Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser
Best Tanning Water
Tanning waters are an innovative way to achieve a radiant glow with minimal fuss. The Vita Liberata Invisi Foaming Tan Water is a standout, delivering a hydrating, buildable tan without the mess of traditional formulations. It’s lightweight, easy to apply, and perfect for maintaining your tan leading up to the big day. Packed full of organic botanicals, the innovative tanning water will infuse skin with hydrating and anti-ageing properties while imparting a natural-looking glow.
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St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse is a fast-absorbing self-tan that utilises a water-to-foam texture, allowing it to avoid any sticky, heavy build-up being left. A host of naturally-sourced and vegan tanning actives work to promote a ‘just stepped off a plane’ we're obsessed with.
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse
Best Instant Self Tan
For a quick-fix glow that washes off at the end of the day, the Skinny Tan Instant 1 Day Tanner is a fantastic option. This no-commitment formula provides a flawless, bronzed finish in seconds, perfect for brides who need a last-minute tan boost. It’s transfer-resistant, making it ideal for wedding dresses, and blends effortlessly for a natural, airbrushed look. Plus, it’s infused with hydrating ingredients to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant throughout your special day.
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For an instant tan that can be washed off at any time, we love Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish! This product is the ultimate wash-off body makeup for flawless, bronzed skin. The hydrating, skin-perfecting formula smooths skin tone and reflects light for an instant flawless, red carpet skin finish.
Glow Big or Glow Home With Our Ultimate Wedding Tan Guide
Your wedding day is the perfect time to achieve a beautiful, radiant glow, and the right fake tan can help you feel your best. Whether you opt for a mousse, gradual tanner, or express formula, preparation is key to achieving a flawless finish. By following proper tanning techniques and choosing a product that suits your skin type, you’ll walk down the aisle with a confidence-boosting glow that looks as natural and beautiful as you feel.
Bridal beauty prep goes beyond getting your tan on! Take a look at our ultimate bridal beauty schedule so you can get ahead on treatments and know what to book and when! From when you should book your manicure to starting your bridal skincare journey, it’s all there!
