Your questions about fake tan answered What is the best fake tan?I’ve been raving to anyone who will listen about Bare By Vogue’s clear mousse tan. Hydrating, easy to apply and long-lasting, the clear formula leaves you with a natural-looking golden finish that can be built up as desired. Better yet, it fades evenly, with no tiger-bread patches. When it comes to budget buys, Dove is a must-have in your tanning arsenal, whether you’re applying over an existing tan to prolong it or looking for a radiant glow. Meanwhile, Bali Body’s violet fake tan is among the best express formulas I’ve ever tried and Coco & Eve’s honey tan is perfect for those who tend to find mousses too drying. How I tested fake tans For context, I am naturally pale with skin that’s prone to dryness (particularly on the arms and legs), so I look for skin-nourishing ingredients in fake tan formulas that don’t dry out my skin further. All the bottles in this round-up leave skin feeling soft and smooth, rather than flaky and parched. Considering everything from ease of application to value for money, these are the fake tans that have secured a spot in my bathroom cabinet. When testing the best fake tans formulas, I assessed each bottle on everything from ease of application and longevity to colour and value for money:Formula: I tested just about every fake tan formula possible, including clear water-based formulas, spray-tans-in-a-bottle, mousses, gradual lotions and serums. Some of the tans included here are ones I’ve used (and loved) for years, while others are new favourites. Application: I noted how easy and quick it was to apply each type of formula and how much skin prep was needed.Longevity: I considered how many days each fake tan stayed on my skin, as well as how the formula faded. The best fake tans fade evenly, while other formulas can result in tiger bread-like skin. I wanted the colour payoff of each fake tan to last at least four days. Colour: I’ve tested more formulas than I can count over the years, but the fake tans that made the cut for this guide give a believable, sun-kissed glow. I haven’t included any formulas that leave an orange tinge or an obviously artificial colour – all the bottles below will leave with a natural-looking finish. Value for money: With some fake tans on the market costing upwards of £30, I looked for formulas that offered the best value for money. This includes formulas where a little goes a long way, meaning you’ll get through the bottle slowly, as well as tans that help you achieve an entirely natural-looking glow, making them worth every penny. How to apply fake tanDifferent types of fake tan require different styles of application. For a mousse or spray and clear formulas, I exfoliate my body and apply lightweight lotion to my elbows, knees and hands (this helps reduce product piling on dry areas), before applying the formula with a mitt. I also use a fake tan brush – my favourite is the Rose & Caramel one (£12, Amazon.co.uk) – to buff the product on my neck and hands. For gradual lotions and creams, exfoliation isn’t always necessary as the formulas are hydrating and nourishing. But, if I have existing fake tan on, I exfoliate that off before applying the gradual tan with my hands (like you would a body moisturiser). What is the easiest fake tan to apply?When it comes to tanning, gel-based formulas are the easiest to apply. They aren’t as streaky as a liquid but look more natural than a mousse, so they are a great starting point for beginners. With that being said, lotions and mousses are still easy to apply, as long as you exfoliate beforehand and use a tanning mitt.What to look for in a self-tanWhen choosing a tan, look for a non-biscuity scent, minimal transfer, hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or antioxidant oils such as rosehip oil, colour correcting actives to counteract any unwanted orange tones, fast-drying formulas and long-lasting colour pay-off.How to remove fake tanFirst up, invest in an exfoliator mitt. In the shower or bath, apply an exfoliating scrub and use the mitt in circular motions to slough away dead skin cells (and patchy tan). Follow up with a moisturiser to keep skin hydrated.How long does fake tan last?This all depends on the formula you’re using and how you treat your skin after tanning. To increase the longevity of your tan, be sure to moisturise daily. Before applying a fresh layer of tan, always exfoliate to give the formula a fresh canvas.Mousse formulas tend to go patchy after four to five days (particularly on drier skin types), while lotions and gels tend to last longer and fade more naturally. However, there are exceptions to the rule here – read our detailed tan reviews above to find long-lasting formulas.Should you moisturise before applying fake tan?St Tropez’s celebrity tanner Sophie Evans emphasises the importance of moisturising your elbows, knees, hands, feet, back of heels and wrist crease, as well as any dry patches. “Moisturise these areas prior to application, to create a barrier that ensures the tan develops flawlessly.” Prolonging your fake tan also comes down to moisturising. “I recommend applying a light moisturiser all over your face and body,” tanning guru James Read says. “Far from causing uneven tanning, it helps the tan absorb more evenly and last longer. Plus, it keeps your skin deeply hydrated.”Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsDaisy Lester is IndyBest’s senior shopping writer. She’s tested almost every fake tan, be it a gradual tan, the best face tanners or mousse. Besides using a fake tan as part of her weekly routine for more than a decade now, she’s investigated the best ways to apply fake tan and written several in-depth reviews of my favourite products, including St Tropez and Bare By Vogue. She’s also consulted experts on the formulas they’d recommend for certain skin types, top tips for application and how to help it fade. She’s used all the formulas in this guide regularly throughout the year, so you can trust her when she says they’re the best of the bunch. Want more recommendations? Check out our guide to the best bronzing drops