It may be tempting to bake in the summer sunshine or to visit the tanning salon for a course of sunbed sessions, but with skin cancer warnings going through the roof, plus the prospect of looking like a scary orange raisin in a couple of years, faking it is the only safe way to get a glowing sexy tan.

Bronzed Beauty

If you have fair skin, limited grooming time or tend to botch your fake tan job, a moisuriser that gradually builds up a natural looking tan is perfect, plus you won’t have to worry about the drying effects of regular fake tans.

We love Loreal NutriSummer Tone Up – it adds a gorgeous subtle bronze with a shot of caffeine to fight cellulite and tone for perfect pins. You’ll get the same shaping effect, plus a golden tint, from Decleor Perfect Sculpt Natural Glow. Looking for something more simple? Slap on Dove Summer Glow and go!

Don’t forget to keep polished with a good exfoliator every few days, especially before every application – it may seem like a waste to scrub off your tan, but exfoliating actually extends and smoothes your glow, plus if you don’t follow the rules you could end up patchy.

Tanned Temptress

For extreme bronzing, you need to bring out the big guns. Lancome Flash Bronzer Shimmering Self Tan Body Gel, £19.50 is fabulous. In a hurry? Rimmel’s Sun Shimmer To Go is an innovation made in heaven. It’s a self-tan wipe in a dinky tester-sized sachet that blends easily for a streak free tan in an hour, without the dehydration! Magic. Use a specific facial tanner for your face, and make sure that, as with your body, you use more where the sun falls like your forehead, nose and cheekbones, and use highlighter under your eyes.

Glow on the Go

If you don’t have the time or expertise to lash on the self-tan, don’t despair. The new bronzers and body makeup will make you look delicious, plus if you make a mistake you can always wash it off and try again, minus the usual streak-panic.

Try Loreal Paris Glam Bronze Duo Powder, £9.99, The Body Shop's Brush on Bronze, £10.50 or Guerlain Fresh Bronzing Gel, £23.50 for a shimmery glow plus SPF protection. Sweep it over your temples, cheeks and nose for a natural look, and use a darker shade under your cheekbones for killer contouring. If you’re going to use face powder over the top, stick to sheer shades to prevent muting your tan, and don’t forget to add the finishing touch with some glimmery gold eyeshadow – we can’t get enough of Jewel Dust in Xantho by Becca, £16.

For a quick-fix that wont be a disaster if you’ve left it streaky, why not slather yourself in sexy allover makeup for a one-night tan? We love Elegant Touch Fakeover All Over Shimmer Souffle, £9.99 for a glam party shimmer. Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan Sun Makeup is also a good bet for a deep glow that won't budge.