YOU don’t always get what you pay for when it comes to fake tanning products as our tried and tested team found out

Skinny Tan 7-Day Tanner, 150ml, £27.99 from skinnytan.co.uk

Bit disappointed in this product. It has to be applied overnight as it takes five hours to develop. It’s hard to apply as it’s gloopy and leaves streaks. However, they did disappear in the shower the next morning leaving a nice, even tan which lasts. Its claims to “visibly contour the body and reduce the appearance of cellulite”, were far-fetched. All tans make you look slimmer, but this was no different to your average good quality fake tan product and pretty expensive at £27.99.

Value for money 5/10: Effectiveness 6/10.

Cocoa Brown Instant One-Hour Tan £6.99, Superdrug (buy one get one half price), TK Maxx, Amazon.

Hailed by beauty bloggers as the must-have tan of the season, this product has two advantages, no stale biscuit odour (Tahitian Gardenia, no less) and it gives instant colour. It also lasts for a good few days on the body. Great coverage, but I’d recommend buying a tanning mitt as being a mousse it can be a bit messy.

Value for money 8/10; Efficiency 8/10.

Fake Bake, 118ml, various stockists, £13.50

After exfoliating and moisturising I waited for the tan to develop. When it did it adapted well to my skin tone and left me with a rich and intense glow. Take extra care with hands and blending in your tan, as I was left with over-tanned knuckles. The second time I mixed the tan with a little moisturiser to achieve a more natural look and I was happy.

Value for money 8/10 Effectiveness 9/10

Bronze Ambition Glow Shimmer, £1.99, Poundstretcher.

If you’re looking for an instant tan that washes off, this is a good product. I applied the shimmer to my legs and arms for a healthy glow. The product is not too thick, but requires an even application for a natural look. It’s cheap and does the job. Just be careful with your clothes and bedding as it comes off easily.

Value for money 8/10 Effectiveness 8/10

Sunkissed Medium Bronze Instant Self Tanning Mousse, 200ml, £3.99, Superdrug, and Sunkissed Application Mitt, £3.99, available from sunkissed bronzing.co.uk

This had a lovely coconut smell that evoked memories of summer. I used the application mitt with the tan, and this made it incredibly quick and easy to apply. It only took me a couple of minutes to tan both my legs and the coverage was smooth with no streaks. Once my tan developed it was very natural- looking – it was a nice golden brown colour with no orange in sight. My only criticism was that the colour wasn’t that dark, so if, like me, you like a deeper tan, I’d build it up over a couple of days, or go for the darker shade.

Value for money 9/10 Effectiveness 9/10

STAR PRODUCT

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse in medium, £2.99 from fragrancedirect.co.uk and Home Bargains, £4.99 from Boots.

Despite only costing £2.99 this product not only looked far more expensive but worked much better than other more costly brands. The coloured mousse went on perfectly even, dried quickly and produced a lovely golden brown colour. The smell was inoffensive and the tan has lasted well without rubbing off on the bed sheets.

Value for money: 9/10; Effectiveness 9/10.