Step into any chemist or beauty retailer in Ireland and you’ll find whole aisles dedicated to bronzing products, with application mitts stacked high at the checkout and self-tanners occupying prime retail space.
Ireland has the highest per capita use of fake tan in the world, according to a 2022 study conducted at University Hospital Galway and published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. In 2023, Primark’s Pulse of the Nation report revealed that the Irish market accounted for a staggering 60 per cent of their global fake tan sales. We are, it seems, deeply committed to the glow.
Why the obsession? Is it our lack of consistent sunshine? Our growing awareness of the risks associated with UV exposure? Or simply the confidence boost that comes with a bronzed glow? Whatever the reasons, fake tan has firmly secured its place in Irish beauty routines (including mine).
Over the past decade, the category has thankfully undergone a transformation. The heavy, orange-toned formulas of the past have given way to lighter textures, a broader range of undertones, and an increasing focus on skincare benefits. More recently, the desired glow itself has shifted – from dramatic, deep bronze (often with an unfortunate streaky finish), to subtler, sleeker, and more skin-friendly formulations. Think hyaluronic acid and niacinamide instead of glitter and guide colour.
With that in mind, here are a few favourites I’ve been reaching for on repeat, from face-only options to developing tans, finishes, and fixers for both face and body. Some are new discoveries, others long-time staples, but all are low-maintenance, skin-friendly, and deliver the kind of soft, believable glow I always intend to achieve – even if the mitt still occasionally betrays me.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
These are technically made for the face; you can use them on the body too, but it’s not exactly cost-effective given the small size and price. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops (€40, Brown Thomas) have become my go-to whenever I want to warm up my complexion without committing to fake tan.
They’re basically bronzing drops that you can mix with whatever you’re already using – moisturiser, foundation, serums – and they’re completely customisable. Add more drops for a deeper tone, fewer for a subtle glow. What I love most is that they wash off easily with your make-up at the end of the day – no commitment, no patchy fade.
They’re a staple for those times when your face needs to catch up with your faux-tanned body (or neck, or chest – and wherever else is on show).
St Tropez Luxe Body Serum
St Tropez Luxe Body Serum (€42.99, Boots) remains a constant in my routine because it’s so easy to use. I call this my lazy-girl tan – not only because it’s quick and effortless to apply (it feels like a lovely, lightweight body serum), but also because it’s one of the few tans that doesn’t need to be washed off.
After a few hours it develops into a gorgeous, natural-looking bronzed hue, with no heavy scent. This is a product you can slap on, forget about, and trust to do its thing. No rinsing, no fuss, and it stays in place for a good 10 days, fading evenly with zero patchiness.
Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse
Recently launched, Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse (€28, pocobeauty.com) is already high on my hit list thanks to its forgiving formula and elevated, grown-up aesthetic. As someone who loves fake tan but has never quite mastered the application process, this lightweight, fast-drying mousse makes me feel like a pro.
It’s available in two shades, Classic Honey and Deep Honey – both blend effortlessly, leave no streaks or patches, and develop into a natural-looking golden glow, without the telltale biscuit scent (think soft neroli instead). Within a minute or two of applying, it’s done. No lingering stickiness, no unnecessary faff. And it feels surprisingly moisturising, even days later.
Sculpted by Aimee Body Base Instant Body Tan
Another excellent whack-on-and-go option, Sculpted by Aimee Body Base Instant Body Tan (€21 from Sculpted by Aimee) is a staple in my tanning arsenal. Available in both matt and shimmer finishes, and in two shades (Light and Medium), this is the perfect pick if you don’t want to commit to a developing tan or only need to bronze up specific areas like your neck, chest, hands, arms, or ankles. It’s also brilliant for covering up any missed patches from previous tans.
The formula is creamy and blends beautifully into the skin. While it might look thick coming out of the tube, it thins out and disappears into the skin within seconds. I’d recommend using a buffing brush for application as opposed to a mitt – it makes the process much quicker and more even.
Sol De Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Oil
Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Oil (€35, Brown Thomas) is a swoon-worthy product. This shimmer-loaded dry oil hydrates the skin beautifully and leaves a luminous, light-reflecting sheen.
It’s especially stunning layered over an existing tan. Thanks to its moisturising, antioxidant-rich formula, it also helps to keep your tan looking fresh, even, and glowy for longer. I sometimes mix a drop into my foundation to dial up the glow across my face, neck, and chest.
This week I’m loving… Burberry Goddess
As cliched as “summer in a bottle” may sound, it’s the only fitting way to describe Burberry’s delicious fragrance, Goddess (€118 for 50ml, Brown Thomas). It’s vanilla, vanilla, and more vanilla – but in the best possible way, woven together with lavender, ginger and cacao. The result is a rich gourmand scent that’s creamy, warm, soft, and a little bit smoky – like a summer evening wrapped in a blanket as the sun sets.
