UK Edition
Is self-tan the secret to the Duchess of Cambridge's glow?
Dreaming of a sun-kissed glow, but reluctant to risk a self-tanning disaster? These expert tips will keep things subtle and streak-free
On Saturday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to volunteers from the mental health charity Shout, the UK’s first 24/7 crisis text line. Dressed in a white V-neck blouse with her hair pulled back in a chignon, Kate looked fresh-faced and glowing - and like she had picked up some sun on her complexion.
We wouldn't be surprised if Kate's tan came from a bottle of self-tan, rather than sunning herself in the garden. As Kate proves, long gone are the days when self-tan would look obviously orange or streaky, with blotchy patches.
‘A bottle of self-tan should always be in your bathroom cabinet, as applying it gives you a cloak of confidence,’ Jules Von Hep, founder of the tanning range Isle of Paradise, tells the Telegraph. ‘By using self-tan, our skin tone appears more even, our dark circles hidden, the veins in our legs less obvious.’
Before you say anything: I know it’s tricky to find a good self-tanning product that leaves a convincing glow without any telltale signs, but there are some brilliant ones on the market that will take the stress out of a DIY job.
I love Isle of Paradise for its affordable, high-quality formulas, which help to colour-correct any sallowness, and Tan-Luxe has launched a fantastic new tanning body serum, which feels beautiful on the skin. The tanning range by Amanda Harrington is absolutely foolproof, too.
I’ve also been trialing the new Sisley self-tanning body cream over the past few weeks, and I’m seriously impressed. Using lots of clever ingredients already in the brand’s main skincare line (you’d hope so, for the price), the tanning cream adds a healthy, streak-free glow with one application. For a glow akin to Kate's Zoom face, the face cream version by Sisley is a good bet.
For first-timers, Jules has some practical advice. ‘If you’re really nervous about going too dark, moisturise your whole body and face before you tan and wait five minutes for it to sink in. This will soften the overall colour of the final result.’ It certainly seems as if the Duchess of Cambridge knows a thing or two about a convincing self-tan glow.
Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro, here are a few products worth adding to your summer beauty arsenal.
The 8 best tanning products out now
