How often have you looked at your bare face in the mirror and it’s a completely different shade to your body? Yep, we’ve all been there. Whether you’re just way better at protecting your face (big no no) or are an avid fake tan-lover it can leave you feeling, well, kind of mismatched.
We’re not sure about you, but whether it be winter or summer (or anywhere in between) we want to see our faces gloriously glowing. We might be vain, but allow us a faux glow, we beg you. But with our vanity comes concerns for smearing our usual fave fake tan across faces and the impact it can cause on our pores. So, we’ve branched out and found a range of skin-loving, nourishing ingredient-packed face fake tans, specifically designed for those precious complexions of ours (and yours!).
So now it’s time to see which of those gorgeous face tans for your face will give you the best golden glow…
2024’s Top 3 Fake Tan for Face
- Bondi Sands Technocolor Self-Tanning Face Serum, $24.95, Bondi Sands
- Eco Tan Organic Face Tan Water, $39.95, Myer
- Bali Body Face Tan Mist, $25.95, Adore Beauty
Bondi Sands Technocolor Self-Tanning Face Serum
From $24.95 at Bondi Sands
Do you remember Bondi Sands Technocolor range? The skin-tone adjusting technology comes in four different shades (dependent on skin tone), and it basically revolutionised the body tanning category. Well, we’re pleased to announce that Bondi Sands have gone and done it again, this time creating a colour-adjusted range for your face. If (like us) you’ve got concerns about the impact of applying a fake tan product to your face for fear of breakouts, they’ve got that covered. Designed with non-comedogenic blemish control complex, the formula not only works to not clog pores, but it actually helps with future breakouts.
Want to read more? Read Bondi Sands Technocolor Self-Tanning Face Serum Reviews here…
Key features:
- Comes in four complexion matching shades
- Formulated with Dermachromatic™ Colour Technology
- Designed with Blemish Control Complex™ to help prevent breakouts
Available at:
- $24.95 from Bondi Sands
- $21.99 (usually $24.95) from Chemist Warehouse
Eco Tan Organic Face Tan Water
From $39.95 at Myer
Welcome to the world of tanning-meets-skincare. It’s a wonderful place to be, really. Not only do you get a (buildable) gradual tan, but your face reaps the vitamin C-infused benefits too. Formulated with natural and nourishing ingredients, like glycerine and aloe vera built into the formula, your skin will love you for it.
Key features:
- Antioxidant-rich formula
- Gradual build up
- Enriched with moisture-boosting glycerine
Available at:
- $39.95 from Myer
- $40 from Sephora
- $39.95 from Adore Beauty
Bali Body Face Tan Mist
From $25.95 at Adore Beauty
Bali Body have only gone and done it again. Another crowd-pleasing tanning fave has hit our shelves and we can’t get enough of the natural-looking glow it gives us. If messy hands are one of your face tanning pet peeves (naturally), then a streak-free, hands-free, micro-mist is the way to go. And would you look at what we’ve got here? Exactly what the doctor ordered. Heck, this gorgeous, easy-to-apply formula is even suitable for sensitive skin. Wins all round.
Key features:
- Develops in 4-6 hours
- Hands-free micro-mist application
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Available at:
- $25.95 from Adore Beauty
- $26 from Woolworths
- $15.39 (usually $25.95) from Chemist Warehouse
Isle Of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops
From $44 at ASOS
If you’re all about customisation, then welcome to the club, we meet on Tuesdays. Sure, none of our tans would look the same if we were to all show up with these gorgeous drops mixed throughout our moisturiser, but that’s precisely the point. Okay, sure, there are three levels of ‘bronzed’ to choose from, depending on your natural skin tone, but after that, simply drop in as many or as little drops as you’d like and enjoy the pH balanced (and activated) formula.
Key features:
- Formula actives at the ideal pH level for your skin
- Formulated with hypoallergenic ingredients
- Add to your fave moisturiser to apply
Available at:
- $35 (usually $44) from ASOS
- $46.16 from Amazon Australia
- $61 from MECCA
Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face
From $40 at Myer
Never let the weather dictate your state of glow. Yep, it’s our new life motto. And while it’s not the catchiest of sayings, we’re pretty happy to brag about our customisable levels of natural looking (and created) tan year round. Infused with skin-soothing aloe vera, not only will your skin be brightened and glowing, you’ll also see the effects of the calming benefits.
Want to read more? Read Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face Reviews here…
Key features:
- Infused with skin-loving aloe vera
- 100 per cent natural DHAs
- Customisable tan
Available at:
- $40 from Myer
- $40 from David Jones
St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
From $34.99 at Priceline
Developing over four to eight hours, this clever misting fake tan doesn’t even need to be washed off! Continuing on bucking the fake tan trend, this mist is infused with antioxidant hibiscus along with incredibly refreshing green mandarin water, which means that fake tan smell you’ve come to know and despise? Yep, that’s no where in sight.
Key features:
- Ultra-lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Works to help brighten skin
Available at:
- $34.99 from Priceline
- $17.48 (usually $34.99) from Chemist Warehouse
Three Warriors Face Tan Water
From $34.95 at Nourished Life
If you’ve ever looked at the undeniably gorgeous Sonia Kruger and wondered ‘what tan does she use?’, we’ve got the answers for you! The Aussie-made brand focuses on creating certified non-toxic, organic products, so you know you’re (along with our girl Sonia) only putting the best ingredients on your skin. With a list of skin-loving natural ingredients (chamomile and rose extract to name a few), the spritz and soak water will leave your skin naturally sun kissed.
Key features:
- Mineral and electrolyte-rich formula
- Three hour develop-time
- Infused with hydrating Tasmanian olive oil
Available at:
- $34.95 from Nourished Life
- $45.95 from David Jones
- $34.95 from Three Warriors
pureTAN Face Tan Lotion
From $19.95 at PureTAN
If hydration, skin care benefits and a bronzed visage are all things you’re after, then the Aussie-made pureTan Face Tan Lotion is what you need Formulated with skin brightening, antioxidant-rich hibiscus and soothing green tea, and bolstered with seriously hydrating virgin coconut oil, this tan brings so much more to the party than just its tropical scent and a solid base tone.
Want to read more? Read pureTAN Face Tan Lotion Reviews here…
Key Features:
- 100 per cent pure virgin coconut oil
- Australian made
- Tropical-scented
Available at:
- $9.97 (Usually $19.95) at PureTAN
Can you fake tan your face?
Okay, we hope after reading through these suggestions you can see the resounding answer is yes. Fake tan is totally okay to use on your face. BUT, be sure to pick up a face-specific can of the liquid gold, because you want to ensure you’re not putting any pore-clogging formulas across your face. Extra added benefit: many of these face-formulas include skin-loving ingredients. Blessings!
Main Image Credit: @soniakruger
Do you use fake tan? Would you tan your face?
Not confident enough to use those, I rather just try a bronzer.
Personally not for me but interesting option.
The drops and boosters sound really fun to use and I think I’d love to wake up to a glow.
I like using fake tan on my legs but not so crazy about using it on my face.
I agree @Normap. I only use it on my legs.
Me too, it might be a bit too weird for me.
I think we’ve all been totally turned off orange skin, haven’t we?
These are better than that as long as you are light handed.
Hmm, better than sun damage but not for me, doesn’t look right
St Tropaz is one I have used and it is really good.
Yes, it’s easy to control the amount of colour and it looks so natural.
I’d never use fake tan on my face.
The self tanning drops looks so interesting
Sounds like it could make my pale skin look a little healthy and awake
Yes a tan does make pale skin look more healthy. Try it
I don’t like tans – either fake or real.
I don’t use fake tans
I have been wanting to try a little bit of fake tan on my face to look like natural make up
I am not showing enough skin for fake tan. I’m wrapped up like I am in the snow.
I don’t use tan.