The best instant tans for a last-minute summer glow, as tested by beauty experts

RRP: £24 | Formula: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Vitamin B, C & E, aloe vera and caffeine | Number of shades: 1

This cream comes with a sponge that, like your best makeup brushes, helps to blend the formula into the skin without the need to use your hands. The formula has the same consistency as body lotion, which meant its texture was easy to manipulate and spread around my skin. The quick-drying formula locks the layer of bronze in place in record time; I found this so helpful as it limits the time spent awkwardly waiting for the tan to dry. The resulting look was a transparent bronze glow that coats the skin to mimic a week in the sun, which lasted until my next shower before melting off easily with soap and water.

RRP: £33 | Formula: Lightweight, foamy cream | Key ingredients: Shea butter and organic glycerin | Number of shades: 2

I know I said that the best instant tan comes with no commitments, but if you want a bit more longevity, opt for this instant tan. The mousse-like formula glides over the skin streak-free and offers an instant tanning effect with impressive glow-giving pigment that leaves skin looking immediately radiant and refreshed. This would be a godsend if you have a busy week of events, as you can enjoy instant gratification and lasting bronzing effects in one go.

RRP: £15 | Formula: Cream to powder | Key ingredients: Coconut Milk | Number of shades: 2

This higher coverage option may not suit everyone, but I loved the flawless look it gave. Its heavier consistency by no means compromises the blending power, and you can manipulate the formula until all areas are covered in a streak-free finish. This was the quickest drying formula out of all the ones I tested; I could get dressed within 30 seconds of application, which is great if you tend to get ready in a rush. This would be the perfect option for an evening event as you can rest assured that this will completely even the skin tone and blur every vein, mottled or bumpy bit of skin in sight.

RRP: £17 | Formula: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Peptides, pomegranate, chamomile & goji berry | Number of shades: 3

While I don’t have the palest skin, I would have instinctively opted for the light option if that was available. Despite this, the medium wasn't too dark and glided onto my legs easily. I really loved the colour of my skin after applying this and a little went a really long way. I used the Bare by Vogue brush to blend and it worked really quickly and easily to produce a streak-free bronze. The formula is packed with nourishing ingredients, such as peptides, to firm and plump the skin - while blending with your skin tone and hiding imperfections. This was definitely one of the best instant tan formulas I tried.

RRP: £10.99 | Formula: High-coverage cream | Key ingredients: Free from self-tanning actives | Number of shades: 1

This is one of the best instant tan options for darker skin tones as it delivers a deep olive hue. Due to its deeper tone, a little goes a long way, and you only need a small dab of the product to coat an impressive amount of surface area. I found the cream consistency less fluid than some other options on this list and it did take more time to blend. The staying power is impressive, lasting all day and night without budging, but then completely disappeared when it came into contact with warm water. I also loved the natural wash of colour, it's the closest you could get to a gradual tan result with an instant tan application.

RRP: £9.99 | Formula: Tinted gel | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil | Number of shades: 1

This gel-like formula looked scarily dark when first squeezed into my palms, but once I started working into my limbs with a body brush, I immediately stopped panicking. The gel texture quickly and seamless blended into my skin for an instantly bronzed glow. I loved the natural-looking colour and there wasn’t a hint of the dreaded orange undertone, however it did fade slightly after drying, but this was actually a good thing as it kept the tan looking so natural. The scent was slightly fake tan-esque, with a slight biscuit whiff, but it's not too off-putting and worth it for this impressively fuss-free instant tan.

RRP: £19.95 | Formula: Aerosol spray | Key ingredients: Vitamin E and cucumber | Number of shades: 2

This trending instant tan spray is perfect for travel and for carrying with you to top up tan on-the-go. The small but mighty spray delivers a dose of lovely shimmery tan that's also sweat-proof (a big win for summer months). It's formulated with Vitamin E, which works to nourish the skin and was great for skin smoothing. I did find this one of the more subtle instant tans I tried, but you can build up the colour by applying extra layers, which allows you to take the colour deeper. That said, I found the application much harder than other instant tans as it was tricky to control the product with the spray dispenser.

RRP: £9.99 | Formula: Tinted gel | Key ingredients: None specified | Number of shades: 2

I used this Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan religiously throughout my teenage years, so I felt an intense wave of nostalgia when I was blending it into my legs. That said, the actual tan itself has come a long way since I used it ten years ago and I was impressed to see that it blended much more smoothly and naturally. The hue was still as deep as I remember, with a warm undertone, so if you’re after a rich tan look, then this is the one. Being the cheapest of the pack I was surprised that it lasted for as long as it did and that it was also water and totally transfer-proof. If you want a no-frills, affordable instant tan, I would stock up on this.

RRP: £42 | Formula: Shimmery tinted gel | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, E & arnica extract | Number of shades: 1

This product gives the ‘my skin but better’ look we all crave in the summer months. While not a dramatically deep tan, this tinted serum works to boost radiance. It takes a minute to absorb into the skin, but leaves a non-greasy finish. It’s packed with amazing skincare ingredients like Vitamin C & E for nourishment, plus, arnica to hide bruises and imperfections. This is undoubtedly the most subtle-looking instant tan I tried, so if you’re after a deep tan, this won’t be the product for you, but if you’re looking for a filter-like finish then this absolutely won’t let you down.