‘This clear fake tan gave me the confidence to wear shorts this spring’ (2025)

With an Easter holiday coming up, I was faced with having to go bare-legged for the first time this year – and this transfer-proof self tan mousse is the product I turned to

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There's always a time in the first half of the year when the sun makes a surprise appearance and I'm required to swap the leggings that I wear for 80% of the year for shorts. For me, this came last week, when I was headed to Italy on holiday for a few days. With the temperate a good few degrees warmer than here in the UK, it was most definitely shorts weather – but my legs still had their pasty winter pallor. In a bid to feel a bit more confident when away, I reached for an old favourite clear fake tan – and was reminded of just how good it is.

The product in question was Isle of Paradise Glow Clear Self-Tanning Mousse in the shade Medium, currently reduced down from £19.95 to £14.96. Famously the brand used on the Barbie movie, Isle of Paradise prides itself on its natural looking colours; no orange streaks here. As a fake tan novice, here's why it impressed me so much...

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First up, it's fairly easy to apply with a mitt, although being clear with no guide colour, you do have to be diligent about blending it in well, especially around drier areas such as the knees, elbows, hands and feet (I like to apply a rich body cream in these spots first, and then once again after applying the tan). However as it's transparent, it doesn't transfer onto clothing or bedding – a major plus in my eyes.

When I was able to inspect the finish result on holiday, once my shorts were on, I was super impressed with the result; my limbs looked a very natural shade of golden, with any lingering greyness, redness or imperfections minimised. I felt really confident wearing my summery shorts and dresses while away, and not like some ghostly pale Brit who spends most of her life indoors.

I also couldn't believe how well it lasted. One week on, and back from holiday, it still looks pretty good; not as golden and even as it did initially, but there's certainly still a bit of colour there.

It does take a bit of time to ensure you're applying it as thoroughly and evenly as possible, and does take some hours to develop – so not one for a last-minute bit of colour – but I was so impressed with the results that I'll be making sure I use this before every holiday in the future.

If you do need an instant glow, though, Vita Liberata's Body Blur, £35, is a cult classic, and an advanced and natural-looking take on traditional body make-up.

And for top-ups and giving your face a subtle glow, myself and the rest of the beauty team swear by St Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist, now down from £24 to £19.20, for its super-fine spray and natural colour.