Remember: The only good tan is a fake tan. We’re no longer sunbaking outside and exposing our precious skin to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Instead, slather on the SPF and get that golden glow from a bottle. Fake tan is no longer a minefield of streaky legs and orange hands. Modern formulas have fuss-free application and streak-free results.
Feeling intimidated by the plethora of bottles on the shelf? Before you start tanning, check out our favourite fake tan formulas below, and do your homework with our tips and tricks for achieving a flawless tan.
2025’s best fake tan products for golden, glowing skin
Eco Tan Hempitan Body Tanning Water
$45.94 from Adore Beauty
If you’ve tried and hated typical mousse and foam formulas, give this body tan water from Eco Tan a try. It’s the thinnest tanning formula we could find. This innovative tanning water, made with all-natural, organic ingredients, hydrates, dries quickly, and can be slept on immediately —no mess or stickiness. The payoff is a slightly more natural colour, perhaps not as dark as you’re used to. But if you’re looking for glowing healthy limbs this season, this is the one for you.
Ella Baché Great Tan Without Sun
$53 from Adore Beauty
Flaky dehydrated skin? This ultra-nourishing formula packs cocoa butter and lanolin to keep skin hydrated and nourished. It applies like a hydrating lotion, so if you’re a tanning novice it’s very hard to get wrong. Just massage it in like you would your daily moisturiser. It delivers a natural golden and streak-free tan. Bonus: You can use it on both the face and body.
Bondi Sands Technocolour 1-Hour Express
$28.99 from Chemist Warehouse
Some brands are just synonymous with their action. “I need to Bondi Sands” is a regular refrain in our group chat. But this brand isn’t resting on its laurels. It’s continually coming out with cutting-edge new formulas, like the Techncolour range which delivers the perfect tan for every skin tone. I use the emerald shade for olive skin tones. The green base means no orange undertones.
Bondi Sands Technocolor Self-Tanning Face Serum
$26.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Struggling to find your perfect tanning match? Try a tone-specific serum designed to complement your natural undertones. Magenta suits olive to deep skin tones, while Emerald enhances medium complexions. Expect a natural-looking glow with no streaks, no orange and no guesswork.
Bali Body Express Tan Remover
$34.80 at Adore Beauty
Use with exfoliating gloves or a mitt to remove the last of a fading self-tan.
St Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Medium Dark
$39.99 at Chemist Warehouse
A moisturising gradual tan lotion gives you more control over the depth of colour, creates a subtle glow and is less likely to streak or go patchy on winter-dry skin.
Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
$45 from Cocoa and Eve
If you have sensitive skin and often react to chemical-laden formulas, this is the fake tan for you. This hydrating formula enriches your skin with raw virgin coconut oil and botanicals, nourishing while leaving a natural golden tan behind. The grey-green foam formula promises to firm and smooth the skin, using strong antioxidants to protect against oxidative stress.
We’re big fans of the bronzing set, which comes with a hypoallergenic mitt and a kabuki brush for those pesky areas prone to streaks – think knees, ankles and backs of hands.
Basekin Tan+Hydrate Serum
$65 at Superette
Hydration is everything in winter. This glow-giving facial serum combines skin-loving ingredients, like hyaluronic acid with a buildable self-tan, delivering both nourishment and a natural-looking radiance
Luna Bronze Total Eclipse Express Tanning Mousse
$49.95 at Luna Bronze
Short on time? Reach for an express tanning mousse. This one is formulated with nourishing oils, aloe vera and kakadu plum, and hydrates as it tans. Ideal for deeper skin tones, it delivers a natural-looking glow in one to three hours.
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops
$93 at Mecca
Work a few drops of this in with your existing skincare regime for a glowy, warm complexion.
Natio Self Tan Application Mitt
$13 from Natio
This reusable glove works to protect hands from staining and has a velvety finish.
Golden Gradual Tanning Lotion
$42 from Bonnie
We love a locally made beauty product on our shelves, so this new line of gradual tanning formulas has our attention. Gradual tanners are great for those slightly nervous about their foray into the tanning world as you can easily control the depth of colour. The more you apply, the deeper the tan. This fragrance-free and cruelty-free brand was developed right here in Aotearoa.
How to apply your fake tan:
To get a streak-free and, most importantly, undetectable tan result, you need to get serious about prepping your skin.
1. Prep skin properly
- Shave or wax your legs and underarms a full 24 hours before your fake tan application so your skin has a chance to settle and isn’t irritated during tanning, and your pores close and you don’t get tell-tale dots of tanner.
- Next, exfoliate with your favourite formula to start with a clean and primed canvas. Remove any previous faux bronze with cult favourite Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser Foam – an award-winner that removes dregs of old self-tan in just five minutes.
- Moisturising your skin is a vital step – and the secret to avoiding patchy areas – but it’s best to moisturise your whole body the night before a tan, and then only moisturise super-dry patches like hands, feet, elbows and knees on tanning day.
- Avoid oil-based skincare as they can create a barrier and cause streaks.
2. Apply in sections
- Work in small areas (e.g. one leg at a time). Start at the feet, working up toward the body so you’re not leaning over and messing up the tan.
- After legs, stand up (carefully) and do thighs, then do the buttocks and lower back while standing.
- When moving to the torso, stand uprigh with feet slightly apart. Apply tan to the stomach, sides and chest without bending too far.
- Finish with your arms, shoulders, neck and hands.
- For the most flawless, streak-free fake tan, always apply your tanning product with a tanning mitt. The glove ensures even coverage, prevents your hands from getting stained and helps blend the product smoothly into your skin (especially wrists and hands) for a natural, glowing finish every time.
Fake tan aftercare
- After development time, rinse with lukewarm water only – no soap for the first rinse.
- Pat dry with a towel; do not rub.
