KEY POINTS:
This summer make sure you apply sunscreen all over your body - not
forgetting those over-exposed hands and feet - keep your skin moisturised and fake it rather than bake it!
1 L'Oreal Solar Expertise Anti-Ageing Suncare Collagen Protector SPF 50+ $23.95
This gentle light cream feels and smells more like a moisturiser than a block and is designed for fair skin. It claims to guard against pigmentation developing (as should any good block) and also to make skin feel more toned. Pleasant to slather on.
2 Lancome Soleil DNA Guard 50 SPF $55
A hydrating body lotion, lightly fragranced with white flowers and citrus, this is another block that feels more like a light moisturiser and like the Hissyfit (below) includes botanical extracts.
3 Dr LeWinn's Moisturising sun Defence SPF 30+ $49.90
Moisturising and with zinc oxide in transparent form to avoid white residue, this is a good physical block for body and face that takes a little rubbing in, but feels pleasant on the skin.
4 Hissyfit Body Double SPF 30+ $59
Smells almost edible, I thought of chocolate but the label lists vanilla, almond, orange and grapefruit. The smooth cream feels like a moisturiser, but it's a strong screen too.
5 Nimue Sun-C Body Spray SPF 25 $74
I found the fine spray a bit frustrating and the initial smell odd but, that aside, this smoothes on nicely. Vitamin C targets signs of photo-ageing.
6 Coppertone Oil Free Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45 $19.99
Waterproof, fragrance free, non-greasy block soaks in quickly and comes in an easy-to-handle tube. I'll be taking it to the beach for the family.
7 Nivea Light Feel Everyday Sun Lotion SPF 30+ $11.30
The name is right, glides on easily and isn't gluggy, another good family product at family friendly prices.
8 Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sport SPF 30+ $11
With scalp protection, this spray-on clear liquid block would be good for the clean-shaven bloke; the initial smell is full-on, but fades and it's meant to be sweat-proof. Sporty types can spray on and avoid getting greasy hands before game time. Hawaiian Tropic's cream-based block has a smell that reminds of teenage years.
SHORT CUTS
Instant tan abounds but seek out something natural-looking and easy to apply, and remember if you're sunning your newly browned legs, you'll still need a SPF block.
Lancome Flash Bronzer Self Tan $52
This spray-on mousse adds an immediate glimmer to the legs and over an hour or so deepens a little. The colour is natural-looking and the texture smooth.
L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Air-Brush Effect Self-Tanning Dry Mist $29.99
Sublime has been around for a few seasons, but I find it one of the best, especially in its rub-on gel form ($27.99). This new spray version forms a light mist and coverage was good, but I smoothed it on, rather than just trusting the nozzle so can't attest if it's really streak-free as promised.
Coppertone Sunless Tanning Gradual Tan $14.99
Twenty-four hours after applying this I was a lovely tanned colour. Its continuous spray flows on evenly so, unlike other sprays which make you feel like you need to rub it on as well, this provides a light and streak-free coverage. From selected pharmacies, department stores and Rebel Sports.
Hawaiian Tropic Island Glow Daily Moisturizer, $6.99
Enriched with aloe and vitamins A, C and E this sunless tanning moisturiser dries quickly to create a subtle tan. It's non-streaky and has a lovely green tea fragrance. From selected pharmacies and supermarkets.
Clinique Self-Sun Touch of Bronze Moisturizing Body Lotion $42
This double-acting product is a daily moisturiser with a touch of self tanner. It rubs on with ease and I felt doing it by hand there's much more control over the coverage than with the sprays. It created a light, even colour which after a couple of applications looked like I'd just come back from a holiday in Fiji. Available from all Clinique counters.
Clarins Self Tanning Cream $48
Like a chocolate whip mousse in texture, this has a luxurious feel and rubs on to create a silky smooth finish. After one application you'll be looking sun-kissed within hours. Available from Clarins counters and selected beauty salons.
