Best tanning mousses: Gradual and express formulas for a holiday glow
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The world of fake tanning is constantly evolving.
Not so long ago, there was no choice but to suffer through drying formulations, unnatural hues and patchy finishes. Thankfully, all that’s changed now; there has been great leaps of advancement in the category dedicated to minimising the damaging effects of sun exposure and giving the confidence of a bronzed and even glow.
There are now endless types of fake tanning products on the market so that everyone - beginners and experts - can find a formula that slots into their beauty routine seamlessly.
With this in mind, it’s a testament to the ease of the tanning mousse, one of the original textures, that it has remained so popular among fake-tan fans. While you can find tanning waters with see-through applications and drops that can be added to your face cream or moisturisers for a gradual glow, mousses have stood the test of time and it’s all down to one key reason. The guide colour. You can see exactly where you have just applied mousse as it glides over the skin.
But as with every tan, preparation is essential for a realistic finish that will trigger holiday rumours.
We called on Jules Von Hep, Founder of Isle of Paradise to break down everything we need to know about tanning mousse and the best practices for application.
How long does gradual tan mousse take to develop?
This is dependent on the brand but can be anywhere from two to six hours. Von Hep confirms this timeframe, referencing the Isle of Paradise medium self-tanning mousse. He says “It takes 4-6 hours to develop into glowing skin”. But if you’re after speedier results, look to instant alternatives.
“For last-minute self-tans, try using Isle of Paradise Self Tan Express Mousse, taking minutes to apply and developing in as little as 30 minutes”, says the tanning expert. “This is a whipped, lightweight formula suitable for all skin tones. Leave for 30 minutes for a sun-kissed glow, after one hour a golden glow, and after two hours a deep bronzed tan”.
How to apply fake tan mousse?
Prep and prime the skin
“The trick to a truly flawless glow is all in the prep!”, stresses Von Hep. “Shave or wax at least 24 hours before application and ensure skin is exfoliated with a dry brush, scrub or acid. Exfoliating means the skin will have an even surface, so the final result will be even AND, more importantly, it will fade evenly as a natural tan would”.
He continues, “Remove any make-up and deodorant prior to application but don’t use a cleansing oil as this will act as a barrier to the tan’s penetration. For best results apply your tan an hour after showering so the skin is hydrated.
“Prime skin using Isle of Paradise pH Balance Spray – this will lower your pH and will help the tan penetrate deeper into the skin (you wouldn’t put make-up on without a primer so why tan without one?!). Spray this liberally and allow it to absorb into your skin while you apply moisturiser to your hands, elbows, knees and feet (including the heels). If you are fair-haired, apply some to your hairline and eyebrows”.
Sweeping motions are best
For mousse texture, he advises that it should be “applied directly onto a mitt and transferred onto skin”. He adds, “Always start from the ankles (not the feet, these come last!) and work your way up to the heart and chest. Apply your tan in sweeping motions over the body – never circular - this ensures that the product is distributed evenly for the most natural, even-looking tan. When it comes to tanning the back – you CAN do this alone! Just turn your mitt backwards and apply the product directly onto the skin, sweeping from side to side”.
Double down on coats
“With all tans, apply two coats to the body and one to the face,” says Von Hep. “Starting at the ankles and working your way up means that tan will be dry enough to apply a second coat after a couple of minutes, just start again from the ankles for the second layer”.
Tan lines be gone
The Isle of Paradise founder instructs to “Use what is left on the mitt to apply to hands and feet and remember to wipe in between fingers and over fingernails with a damp cloth or make-up wipe after application. Lastly, my favourite trick of all is to hang a towel onto the back of your door and rub your wrists together, this removes those pesky tell-tale tan lines!”
Bring in the tools
“To speed up drying time, use a hair dryer on a cool setting all over the body. No electricity? Take a barber brush and translucent powder or talc, applying all over the body to set”, he concludes.
How long does fake tan mousse last?
According to Von Hep, “A great tan mousse will see you for up to 10 days”. To prolong the tan, he recommends hydration, hydration, hydration. “Drink that water – happy hydrated skin won’t shed and will hold onto the colour for longer. If you’re on a long-haul flight, try to not drink alcohol as this encourages the tan to fade due to dehydration on the skin.
How often should you apply fake tan mousse?
“I recommend tanning back-to-back for two weeks and then taking a week break, using the tan removing tips in between”, suggests Von Hep. “I tan my face every third day as the face fades faster due to our muscle movement and using AHAs”.
Shop the best tanning mousses below
Dove Summer Revived Gradual Tanning Mousse
The sweet almond oil scent of Dove’s tanning mousse will be all too familiar for those of us who spent our youth layering up the brand’s gradual tan lotion. The mousse alternative follows in its footsteps, not just for the aroma but for the gradual nature of the glow that develops in two to four hours.
It is a lightweight texture that dries quickly - so is ideal if you need a quick getaway after application. While imparting the evolving tint, it hydrates the skin to prevent patchiness from occurring.
St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse
Get greater control over the shade of your tan with this mousse from tanning experts St. Tropez. In only one hour, you will get a sunkissed look that deepens as time goes on. The formula doesn’t look streaky and dries quickly after application. It works to hydrate your skin and even has a pleasant fragrance.
Isle of Paradise 30 Minute Express Self-Tanning Mousse
Just 30 minutes is all it takes to achieve a fresh-from-the-beach glow thanks to Isle of Paradise’s innovation. The tanning brand helmed by expert Jules Von Hep has created this formula to speed up your bronzing practices for a quick fix when you need a sun-kissed finish.
The mousse has been enriched with colour-correcting active ingredients as well as those that hydrate and nourish like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin C and vitamin B5. It glides across the skin where the tint indicates the areas in which you have tanned to ensure it is streak-free and flawless. The colour appears in half an hour but deepens over the course of two to four.
Tan-Luxe Express Mousse
Best for: a quick bronzing fix
You may take a quick glance at this fake tan from Tan-Luxe and wonder how the see-through formula can: one, be a mousse texture and, two, have any dyes within the formula. Both are justifiable questions but that’s part of the brand’s raison d’etre.
Tired of thick paint-like tan textures, founder Marc Elrick wanted to turn the formulations of faux glow products on its head with a skin-first approach. This is why you’ll find their products with ingredients you’ll recognise from your bathroom cabinet. For a quick bronzing fix, the new addition to the collection will give you a natural radiance in just 30 minutes.
The foaming texture is free from that traditional fake tan aroma (in fact, it’s actually rather pleasant) and contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for moisturising and brightening respectively. It continues to deepen the longer you leave it before washing it off but stops at around the four-hour mark to suit your busy lifestyle.
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
Best for: a deep, radiant glow
After a long winter, you may be looking to call in the big guns and that’s the Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam. The pigmented product comes in mousse form for an immediate golden hue that develops further over the course of two hours.
The formula is made up of a trademarked technology that gives the tan you’ve been looking for, while moisturising the skin. Best of all, no one will second guess the realism of your sunless glow thanks to the mango and guava aroma that won’t give the game away.
Sienna X Clear Tan Self Tan Water Mousse Gradual
Sienna X’s fake tan comes in light-medium to ultra-dark - but if you have paler skin we’d recommend you start with the lighter version. The clear mousse, which is vegan and has a lovely fruity smell, contains hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to hydrate the skin - and develops well on the whole body, from the face to the arms.
If you hate getting your fake tan on your clothes or towels, this invisible tan has no transfer and develops after eight hours - so you can sleep in and shower it off in the morning, without leaving any streaks on your bedding. Travel-size versions of the tan are also available if you want to keep your tan alive while on holiday.
St Moriz Advanced Colour Correcting Tanning Mousse
If you want to even out your skin tone, especially if you suffer from redness or rosacea, this mousse will work with your complexion, helping to even it out and leaving you with a glow. For pale skin, start with their light version (they also have medium, dark and very dark) and apply evenly with a mitt or brush for a tan that day.
The mousse is transfer-resistant, meaning you don’t have to worry about it going on your clothes, sheets or towels. We took it off after eight hours of developing and loved the golden glow effect. The added bonus of hydrating hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 meant our skin was super soft. With peach undertones, we were hoping to smell a little nicer throughout the day, however, it still had a slight biscuity smell.
Bondi Sands Aero Aerated Self-Tanning Foam 1 Hour Express
Bondi Sands’ innovation in self-tanning technology has resulted in this express tanning foam that sprays directly onto your skin to leave you with a bronzed finish in just one short hour. It is quick-drying, long-lasting and has a lovely coconut fragrance.
Skinny Tan Self-Tanning Whip
Putting the fun into your tanning practices is Skinny Tan, known for its peach mousses and coconut water products. The latest unveiling is no different. It’s a whipped texture that will remind you of your favourite cream-based topping during application.
Squirt onto the skin and it glides over your body with ease whether you’re using a mitt or a brush. The tan develops in six to eight hours with a choice of medium or dark available. The formula is enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing vitamin E, and antioxidant-rich extracts of chia seed oil, kale and blueberry.