Orange is the new nothing: Our top picks for tanning

Tanning can be a streaky, patchy, orange minefield, and I don’t know a single Irish woman who doesn’t have disaster stories to tell. Whether you are a veteran or a frightened novice, there are products to suit your needs. There are a few basic rules which will ensure the process goes smoothly.

Exfoliate and moisturise thoroughly in the days before application. Pay extra attention to feet and hands. As with makeup, building a few light layers rather than whacking it all on at once will ensure that you have more control over the finished look.

Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream (€32)
Ideal for paler people who would like to mimic the effects of the sun subtly. The cream texture also makes application pretty much error-proof, making this a good beginner's tanning product or a good buy for those who fear making an application mistake.

Clinique Self-Sun Body Tinted Lotion in Light/Medium (€27)
Deeper in finish than the Light to Medium description on the packaging, this tan continues to develop through to the day after application and has a flattering golden (rather than an orange undertone).

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Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam Ultra Dark (€17.99)
If you prefer a foam texture or like a more extreme tan, this one gives a deep, rich hue with minimal work. Opt for the lighter versions if you are pale and prefer a more natural finish.

Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster for Body (€36)
To make any body cream a tanning cream, add a few drops of this. It is ingeniously convenient, allowing you to choose to depth of pigment you prefer and build over time to achieve the look you want without patchiness or streaking. A must for nervous tanners.

La Mer After Sun Enhancer (€105)
If you'd prefer to forego tan altogether but still want an extra something, this is perfect. It gives skin a golden (not obviously sparkly) sheen which makes it look glowing.

L'Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Elixir (€15.99)
The gel texture of this tanning serum makes for comfortable, streak-free application. The finished shade is credible, and you can build it to deepen the effects if you want to.

Tan Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Gradual Tan Lotion (€26.40)
Another option for the lazy or the nervous. Build a tan gradually by applying this rich cream every day, or every other day, until you are happy with the effect. It's impossible to make a catastrophic mistake with this product.

Vita Liberata Body Blur in Latte Light (€37.50)
Basically a wash-off body makeup, this is an excellent way to take that Kerry Blue hue out of limbs without committing to scrubbing off stubborn patches of old tan a week later. Pop it on and wash it off. Easy.

Xen-Tan Transformation Ultra in Ultra Dark (€59.99)
For the veterans. Apply it, leave it on for anything between forty-five minutes and a couple of hours, and then shower. It will continue to develop for around ten to twelve hours. This is not for the faint-hearted.