I hate how instant tans look on my pale skin, so tried out a new viral product that claims to suit any undertone

Scottish Sun

27-06-2025

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You can use our handy guide to work out whether you have a 'warm' or 'cool' undertone to your skin
TRUE TONE I hate how instant tans look on my pale skin, so tried out a new viral product that claims to suit any undertone
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WHEN it comes to getting an extra glow, millions of women worldwide rely on instant tans.
But having pale skin means it's always been difficult for me to find a product that works without making me look orange, or comically tanned, à la David Dickinson.
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I've got very pale skin, and most instant tans I've tried in the past are way too orange to even look a little bit natural
Credit: supplied
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So I was keen to try out utan's new viral instant tan sprays - the first designed to complement your skintone
Credit: utan
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They come in either a cool or warm option, depending on your undertone - which you can check in the box below
Credit: utan
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The cool spray was the first I tried, but was too orange for my liking - and I felt it was obviously fake
Credit: supplied
So I was keen to try a new Instant Tan, after it went viral on social media.
The product comes from utan, who count Sienna Miller and Hailey Bieber among their celeb fans, and is the first-ever instant tan designed to "perfectly complement your skin's undertone".
"Blending easily and offering sheer coverage like body make-up, the airbrushing sprays dry in 60 seconds, staying resistant to sweat and water for long-lasting wear," utan say of the sprays.
"Plus, it washes off with soap, when you're ready."
I couldn't decide whether my undertone was cool or warm, so opted to get both of the sprays, as you can mix them together if you need to.
And you don't need to worry about the instant tan having that horrible biscuit-y smell associated with so many tanning products.
The utan sprays - which you can get for £17.99 in Superdrug - have a base scent of organic vanilla and tonka, perfect for fragrance layering as it helps perfume to make your scent really stand out.
So if you're a vanilla girly, it's the perfect product to enhance your sweet smell.
In fact, women online have called the smell of the Instant Tan "insane" - and I tend to agree.
They advise you to spray the product, from a distance of approximately 15cm, onto a brush or mitt, before buffing into the skin.
Can a £3 Gradual Tan Really Deliver a Sun-Kissed Glow without Streaks or Stained Sheets?
I didn't have a mitt to hand, so went with a fluffy blusher brush, and sprayed it on there before applying to my skin.
Applying the tan to my face led to a moment of panic, as it looked VERY dark compared to my ghost-like complexion.
So I definitely wouldn't advise spraying the product directly onto the skin!
But after blending it in with my brush, it started to spread more and give me the glow I was looking for.
While I had initially thought I'd have to mix the two colours together, it was actually the warm that worked best for me.
The finish of the cool ended up being too orange, and seemed to draw more attention to the fact that my bronze was fake.
How to choose the right instant tan for your skintone
YOUR undertone is the colour beneath your skin's surface, which remains the same regardless of sun exposure.
And matching your instant tan to your undertone means you'll get the most natural, flattering results.
Undertones fall into three categories, and identifying yours is simple: Cool (blue, pink, or red) – Blue or purple veins typically indicate a cool undertone
– Blue or purple veins typically indicate a cool undertone Warm (golden, peachy, or olive) – Green or olive veins suggest a warm undertone
– Green or olive veins suggest a warm undertone Neutral (a mix of both cool and warm tones) – A mix of both suggests a neutral undertone
You can then choose the Instant Tan that's right for your undertone.
Use the Cool option if you've got cool undertones, as the spray gives a bronze that may be too ashy for those who prefer a golden glow.
The Warm option is perfect if you want a natural golden glow, but may be too yellow for those who suit cooler shades.
If you've got more of a neutral undertone, you can blend both colours for a bespoke, flawless tan.
Whereas the warm spray worked perfectly - giving me a natural glow without too much of an orange base.
You have to work quickly with the sprays, as they do dry quickly, but I did manage to blend it out for even coverage.
Once I was happy with the finish, I used Avon's Prep & Set setting spray for some extra transfer protection.
Having a tan - especially on my face - is a novelty for me, and made me feel instantly more confident.
So much so that I'd even consider going out without any more make-up on.
However, you can use the instant tan as a base if you'd prefer - just remember that your usual foundation may end up looking too light.
Another thing I hate about instant tans I've tried in the past is just how hard it can be to get them off.
But I didn't need to worry about that with the utan sprays.
You can apparently remove easily with just soap and water, but I grabbed a face wipe and they worked a treat.
All in all, I'd give these sprays a four out of five - they're perfect for a quick tan if you haven't got time to let one develop, and smell absolutely divine.
But due to how easily I got the tan off, I'm not sure how well it would hold up in the rain - and that's a necessity for heading out in British weather!
I'd definitely recommend though - even for the pale queens out there - and I'll 100% be using it again.
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I tried the warm spray next, and it was a much better option for my skintone - giving me an instant confidence boost too
Credit: supplied