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The best fake tans and self tanners give a winter tan that feels a little mysterious. Sure, the world around you has turned pale and grey but you’re radiating a golden warmth that sends the message you’ve just returned from a European vacation, whether you have or not. If you’re hoping to project this Euro summer 2025 vibe, or, you’re planning an actual summer escape and feeling paler than you’d like to, a good fake tan is the answer. And, whether you’re a veteran fake tanner user or dipping your toes in the game chances are you’re looking for the right self tanner for your lifestyle and unique needs. For the ELLE team that means easy, fast and effective no matter the category. So, we’ve rounded up the best tanning lotions, mousses, gradual tanners and facial tanners that will leave you with a believable bronze year round.
What To Look For In A Fake Tan Or Self Tanner
How do we select a great tan? Tanning products have historically been associated with a few draw backs. Streaky finishes, orange hues, dry skin and that distinctive musty odour. When the ELLE team are glowing up we look for fake tans that give a golden, rather than peachy colour (it helps to look for a tan with a red base), have additional skincare benefits and, most of all, are easy to apply.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best fake tans you can find in Australia in 2025 for glowing skin.
The Best Fake Tans & Self Tanners For 2025
Coco & Eve, Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
$45 at Myer
This natural looking bronzing foam is boosted with hydrating skincare benefits including antioxidant lotus extract, raw virign coconut for hydration and mango, fig and cocoa derived antioxidants. Even better? It provides a lit from within glow that develops in just two hours (you can also leave on overnight for a richer colour).
We love that this foam is pigmented to make even application easy and has a sweet scent of mango and vanilla cream.
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Bondi Sands Ultra Express Tanning Foam
$27.95 at Bondi Sands
Time poor but looking for a deep tan? The new Bondi Sands Ultra Express tan is designed to be a salon tan in a bottle. On application, the foam develops into a warm, deep tan in 60 minutes, colour lock technology prevents transfer (don’t you hate it when a fresh tan ends up bronzing your white shirt?) and boosts water resistance making it perfect for a beachside escape. We love that this deeper tan has a red, rather than yellow or orange base providing a rich, believable bronze.
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Tan-Luxe, Hydra-Mousse Self Tanner
$57 at Sephora
If you’re after those aforementioned skincare benefits look no further than this serum-in-foam self-tanner. With a purified Scottish spring water the formula is boosted with Raspberry oil, Aloe Vera and vitamins B, C and E. The colour is perfect for those who want a very natural glow giving a “your skin but better” glow.
Kopari, Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse
$70 at Sephora
The magic of the this tanning mousse? It dries in 30-seconds flat. Once applied this tan dries off quickly and then develops over eight hours (the brand does advise to avoid water or heavy perspiration during this time). While some quick dry foams are drying this formula includes hyaluronic acid, which holds 1000 times its weight in water and provides and immediate plumping effect to the skin, and hydration over time. As a bonus? We love the juicy guava scent this formula leaves on the skin.
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By Terry, Tea To Tan Face & Body Matte
$137 at Mecca
If you want a French-Riviera glow, turn to the French. This serum is a tint rather than a genuine faux tan with a water based formula that absorbs into the skin, delivering a hit of hydration and a perfect bronze finish. Spray onto a brush and apply to the face as a bronzer or apply directly to the body, this provides a low-commitment buildable (and believable) universal glow wherever you need it. Perfect for a quick bronze pre-event or a tan top up the serum is also infused with bio active cherry essence, black tea complex and red tea complex for skin health.
St Tropez, Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse
$49.99 at Priceline
If you struggle with fake tan formulas that stain your towels and leave your sheets looking more bronze than you’d like them, this tanning mousse is the one for you. The water based foam is totally colourless and gives a soft, natural glow that lasts for days. Bonus? It smells like coconut water.
Eco Tan, Gradual Tan
$30 at Sephora
If you’re a beginner tanner or simply prefer “slow tanning” you’ll love the Eco Tan, Gradual Tan. A nourishing body moisturiser this formula is free of synthetic dies and colourants and infused with aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E, perfect for keeping the skin on your body healthy and hydrated during the winter months. The colour this tan gives is as natural as it gets, giving any skin tone a natural boost of bronze.
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Bondi Sands, Pure Self Tanning Face Mist
$13.69 (usually $22.99) at Chemist Warehouse
If you’re looking for an easy way to create a natural looking bronze while taking care of your skin. This facial mist is packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E . Spritz an even quantity onto freshly washed (dry) skin then top with moisturiser and sunscreen.
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