Our little island’s deep, unswerving love for a faux glow is well documented, not just in the number of home-grown fake tan brands we have, but also in sales figures, and even in research.A 2022 study by researchers at University Hospital Galway found that Ireland has the highest per-capita use of fake tan in the world. Another study in 2024 by a research team at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork found that 69.4 per cent of Irish people said they feel and look better with a tan (though not specifically fake). Unfortunately, we are also well-known for our high skin cancer rates; but, for the most part, these seem to be improving as sunscreen usage increases, and hopefully, more people continue to get the bronzed glow they want from a bottle instead of the big fireball in the sky. Personally, I am very partial to thepick-me-up fake tan provides. I can feel like a new woman after marinating in tan overnight, or even just after applying a quick layer of gradual tan.Because of my dedication to the glow - and our national determination to be at least three shades darker than nature intended - I take recommending glow-giving products very seriously. Yes, price point matters, but even more important are the finish, ease of application, longevity on the skin and, of course, the colour. There can be no orange streaks, no lingering whiff of biscuits and absolutely no patchy, dry skin. First, an excellent “classic” tan. By classic, I mean a developing tan that works its magic overnight. Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse (€29 from pocobeauty.com) has been my go-to since it launched last summer. Available in two shades, Classic Honey and Deep Honey, it’s quick and easy to use, smells like an expensive Tom Ford fragrance, and delivers an equally luxurious bronzed finish in hours. It’s also one of the first developing tans I’ve used that builds really well, so instead of removing it after a couple of days, I’ll lash on another layer.Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse (€29 from pocobeauty.com) Next is gradual tan. Generally, in my experience, gradual tans come in some form of body product, like a serum or a moisturiser. One product that has taken both the body care and tanning aspects equally seriously is Dripping Gold Gradual Tanning Butter (€28 from sosucosmetics.com). This offers one of the deepest, richest gradual tans I’ve tried, even after just one application. A thick, rich cream, it adds an instant sheen to the skin, before gradually developing into a gorgeous, bronzed hue. For time-starved tanning-related emergencies, I’m a long-time fan of Sculpted by Aimee Body Base Instant Tan (€18 from sculptedbyaimee.com). Available in both matte and shimmer finishes, this is an almost dry-cream instant tan that glides on to the skin and sets within seconds. The glow is deep, even and immediate, and it washes off as soon as you hit the shower. Lastly, for a quick gloss on the skin or to polish an existing tan, there is no product quite like Sol De Janeiro GlowMotions Rio Sunset Glow Oil (€35 from spacenk.com). As the name suggests, it’s an oil, but not a sticky, wet, formulation. It applies beautifully and sets on the skin within about two minutes. This week I’m loving ... Charlotte Tilbury Mini Unreal Blush Healthy Glow StickCharlotte Tilbury Mini Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick (€21 from charlottetilbury.com) I love miniature beauty products, and Charlotte Tilbury has brought out cute miniature blushes for summer. The Mini Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick (€21 from charlottetilbury.com) comes in four pocket-sized shades, offering a creamy, pigmented blush-meets-highlighter with a balm-like texture that adds a juicy, pop of colour in one swipe.