If I had to choose just one beauty product as my desert-island staple, it would be fake tan. It’s the product I can rely on to make me feel better about myself. As we journey through our 40s and beyond, changing hormones — especially during menopause — can slowly suck the radiance out of our skin. Add in autumn’s dreary light and dropping temperatures, and I find my 40-plus skin can feel drier, look less even, and seem a little… blah.
That’s when fake tan becomes more than a beauty pick-me-up — it’s my little secret to bringing back that glow. A subtle sunless sheen can soften the appearance of pigmentation, disguise imperfections, and leave my skin looking fresher and more luminous. And that’s where Self Glow by James Read Last Light Tinted Tan Mist is the latest to step in.
What I want from an autumnal tan is a flattering glow on an ordinary morning, believable warmth, easy application and a formula that considers the skin beneath the colour. Celebrity tanning expert James agrees that self-tan has a vital place beyond summer, especially on mature skin.
‘Self-tanning has become completely seasonless,’ he says. ‘It’s no longer just about achieving a deep summer tan; it’s increasingly about skincare, luminosity and maintaining a healthy-looking glow all year round.’ His advice for the cooler months is reassuringly simple: ‘The key is to soften the tan rather than stop tanning altogether.’
Instant gratification, with something extra
James, the man behind Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s perpetual glow, is someone who believes that self-tan should be a valuable part of a skincare routine, not something that sucks the face dry. That, he says, all comes as standard with his new Light Tinted Tan Mist; a subtle, skincare-first formula that also gives instant gratification via its cleverly-designed guide colour. Rather than being muddy or grainy, this is designed to act like a believable instant bronzer, which then develops into something more.
Fake tan is the ideal autumn pick-me-up
What’s it like to use?
So, on a particularly dark and grey morning I gave it a go. What I particularly liked is that it’s tinted: you get colour immediately, along with a useful guide to where you’ve applied it. I misted it on to an application brush and buffed it into skin.
Being able to see the colour as I worked made the process much easier to judge, and I used the brush to create a little ‘tan-tour’ contour effect, too. That control is a real selling point. I can be conscious of where I placed the colour and spend a little longer blending where it needs it. There’s something rather satisfying about treating self-tan with the same precision as makeup.
The immediate colour then dries down, developing into a longer-lasting glow. So there’s the pleasure of seeing a difference straight away, followed by the developing tan. For someone who already considers fake tan a shortcut to feeling better about their reflection, that’s a particularly appealing combination.
Charley’s before-and-after results
James’s approach to autumn colour fits neatly with this. ‘The result should be subtle, fresh and believable, rather than looking obviously tanned,’ he says. That’s my cue to keep the tan-touring gentle. The colour continues to develop, so it makes sense to start softly and assess the finished result before adding more.
What about the skincare benefits
James, who recently turned 50, knows why skin condition matters to the result. ‘I understand how dryness, pigmentation and texture can affect a tan,’ he says.
To that end, Last Light’s formula includes glycerin, several forms of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and panthenol. The brand positions it as a hydrating tan with additional smoothing and brightening benefits, including a plant-derived clarivine ingredient, which claims to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation over time.
I’d need to use it for longer to assess longer-term results, but I can vouch for the instant colour, controlled brush application and a glow that develops beyond the initial tint.
My main caveat: use a brush
The formula is a little wet, which is why you are meant to apply with a brush, rather than spraying directly on to your face. James sells his own application Sunbrush, which is £25, or you could just use a soft flat-top or curved makeup brush, which will provide a similar result.
For me, the brush is part of what makes the product work. It gives me control over the placement, helps me buff the colour into the skin and makes that subtle contouring possible.
Beauty editor’s verdict
I’m already a big fan of James’ untinted Milky Tan Toner (great if you prefer an untinted self tan), and this is another worthy addition to the range.
Sun-kissed and glowing. Safe to say, the tanning mist is beauty-editor-approved.
What I enjoy most about Last Light is the combination of an immediate lift and the ability to make the application my own. The guide colour takes away some of the guesswork; the brush lets me be precise, even a little playful. It softens the look of pigmentation, skims over imperfections, leaves skin looking more radiant, and essentially delivers a confidence pep talk.
And when it’s cold outside, and the next sunny escape feels a long way off, that small beauty ritual has its own value.