Forget awkward mitts – women are now using paint ROLLERS to fake tan their backs and it works wonders

The Sun

25-06-2025

FAKE tan is a godsend for the paler beauty buffs who can't tan - or avoid sitting in the sunshine for too long.
But if you're a faux tan lover like we, the team at Fabulous, are, you'll know just how tricky it is to achieve a seamless finish on your back.
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However, savvy TikTokers have been sharing a hack to help you get streak-free coverage when living solo – and it doesn't cost a penny if you love DIY projects.
Fake tan whizz @ gradygirlray recently posted a video detailing the genius tip - and turns out, it's all thanks to using a paint roller.
In the now-viral video, the fitness lover first applied some of the bronzing mousse onto the roller before using the DIY tool to go over her back several times.
The extra inches meant she could easily reach parts of her body that would usually be quite challenging to fake tan - and it came out practically streak-free too.
Sharing the game-changer of a trick online, the blonde beauty wrote: ''To the girlie who invented this, you're a TRUE girls girl!
''Is this perfect? NO! Did I have to wait for my husband to come home and help me? HELL NO!''
While the TikToker later noted that the brand is not important, it's essential to snap up the right roller for this hack.
For best results, the tanning lover advised to get your hands on a six inch, 3/8 inch Nap made with a woven material.
''Some of them have stripes on them - don't let than freak you out,'' she said in a follow-up video.
Once you've secured the best roller - available on Amazon, Tool Station and Screwfix for as little as £4 - attach it to a roller handle and you're ready to go.
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
The savvy TikToker chuckled in the caption: ''Even you can be an independent self tanning queen!
''Tan that back without a man!''
'You may be onto something here'
The genius hack has since taken the internet by storm, winning the beauty fan over 4.6million views in less than a week.
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."
Amazed by how effective the trick was, close to 1,900 people flooded to comments where they praised the content creator.
One joked: ''There's Harvard and there's Girl Harvard!''
Another said: ''My phone is absolutely spying on me!! Mid back currently untouched while the rest of me is beautifully tan! Great hack!''