I love being fake-tanned – my £3.50 hack gives me a gorgeous summer glow that doesn't go streaky even when you swim

The Sun

16-06-2025

YOU GLOW GIRL
Plus, Fabulous' beauty buffs share their favourite fake tans under £10 each
THE SUMMER season has well and truly arrived - which means many of us will be jetting off to soak up some sun abroad.
For fair skin, however, sitting in the sun is a nightmare - which is where faux tan comes in handy.
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But while fake tan is a godsend for us, the paler beauty buffs, it can become a patchy mess whilst on holiday and constantly cooling down in the swimming pool.
Luckily, one woman has now taken to TikTok to reveal an easy hack that will not only leave you with a fabulous glow - but will also ensure you don't turn into a walking tiger bread.
The best part? You only need two products - and one of them is currently slashed to just £3.50 at Boots.
Dropping the knowledge bombs online, Maureen Moores revealed that you can mix your favourite gradual tanning lotion with a fake tan mousse for the ultimate holiday tan.
In the clip, the Irish stunner said she used the cult favourite Dove Gradual Tan in the shade Medium to Dark and added her go-to ''normal tan'' in the bottle.
The ratio here should be 50:50, so if your bottle of gradual tanning lotion is brand new, you could just pour half of it in a different bottle.
Maureen said: ''You put this on every night or every second night when you're on holiday - and the glow...
''My tan goes all dodgy and stuff like that by like day whatever - but this, this actually helps so much.
''This is my tan secret on a holiday,'' said Maureen who posts under the username @ maureenmoores.
She wrote in the caption: '' @Dove Beauty & Personal Care my false tan hack that saves me on holidays for real!''
I'm a bikini waxer - you're making a fake tan mistake & here's the reason why your privates are kicking up a grim smell
According to the beauty buff, you can also enjoy a cool dip without any worries of the faux glow going patchy.
''I do swim everyday (never perfect but best if tried yet).''
To ensure you don't walk around with mega orange hands, it's also best to use a special mitt when applying the tanning concoction.
Fabulous' £10 Fake Tan Test
FINDING the perfect fake tan isn't easy. That's why Fabulous tested a number of fake tans which cost less than £10..
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Superdrug Solait Self Tan Mousse Medium - £4.79 (was £5.99) - Buy Now
Tester: Abby Wilson, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer
Review: "This product give a very natural looking tan and if you wanted something a bit bolder, I'd suggest leaving it on longer or choosing a darker shade. I'm impressed with the results, but now my entire room stinks of the stuff. If you're on a budget and want a tan for last-minute plans, I would say this is one to try. "
bBold Dream Mousse Tan in Dark - £9.50 - Buy Now
Tester: Josie O'Brien, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer
Review: "The first thing that hit me about this tan was the 'juicy watermelon' scent - it's delicious. I was left with a natural bronze hue rather than orange glow. My only qualm is that the tan seemed to stick to my dry patches and accentuated 'strawberry skin' on my legs. I'm still adding this tan to my arsenal though - the smell, colour and texture are dreamy."
St Moriz Professional Medium Tanning Mousse - £4.99 - Buy Now
Tester: Kate Kulniece, Fabulous Writer
Review: "Not only does St. Moriz mousse leave you with a gorgeous bronzed glow, but it also smells fabulous - think Piña Colada on a sunny beach. At first, I was a little bit sceptical cause I'm a gradual fake tan girlie, but this quick developing St. Moriz number may change it all."
'This dove gradual tan is unreal!'
And it's not just stylish Maureen raving over the wallet-friendly Boots buy - as other beauty buffs were also singing praises.
One of the 78k viewers said: ''Used this for years - the darker one out of the 2.''
Another chimed in: 'This dove gradual tan is unreal!''
A third shared their go-to tanning product: 'Palmers gradual lotion!!!! Please try you won't go back.''