If we’re all being honest, fake tan rarely looks that good. Often emitting an orange undertone and faint biscuit-y aroma, before becoming patchy within a couple of days, everyone has a fake tan horror story, whether that’s a colleague pointing out your noticeably poorly-tanned knuckles in the office or turning up to a party in a cocktail dress that highlights the fact your newly chestnut brown legs really don’t match your arms. No matter how much you exfoliate, or peruse the market for the best mousse/spray/water formula, fake tan is hard to execute well – which is why it’s best to call in the experts. From sought-after, celebrity-approved tanners, to whistlestop trusted treatments in the capital, here’s where to get a golden glow in London. 

James Harknett at Away Spa W Hotel, Leicester Square

Dubbed the ‘Tom Ford of tanning’, James Harknett hosts a select few appointments at W Hotel in Leicester Square for those on the ball enough to bag them. Having been responsible for the enviable golden glows sported by Oliver Cheshire, David Gandy and Mel C (for her wedding, no less), and famous for working on campaigns for Derek Rose and shows like Dancing on Ice, he is easily one of the most sought-after tanners in the city. Harknett cut his teeth with self-tan brand St Tropez (and was actually trained by the founder himself), but is now the global creative ambassador for organic tan company Three Warriors, and exclusively uses the brand’s four shades for his appointments at the W. Pick from the fresh and natural Punta De Mita, light butterscotch South Beach, muscle-enhancing Vieques, or the dark but pearly Doha – whichever you fancy, you can count on the application being flawless. 

Visit jamesharknett.co.uk 

Ruuby, across London

The perfect solution for the time-poor, Ruuby is an on-demand mobile beauty and wellness platform which connects the public with beauty professionals for same-day appointments. Among the services provided are hairdressing, massages, and manicures, but for those looking for a last-minute tan, simply type in your postcode and you’ll discover a roster of therapists to choose from. Operating appointments from 6am-11pm everyday, and helpfully dividing its services into three categories – classic, elite, or the coveted celebrity status – it’s never been easier to sort your spray tan. 

Visit ruuby.com 

Benefit Cosmetics Boutique, Covent Garden

Benefit’s all-singing, all-dancing boutique not only offers speedy spray tans, but a plethora of beauty treatments so you can enjoy the ultimate makeover in one fell swoop. Open everyday of the week until 6pm – apart from Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays when it’s open an hour later – the boutique’s raison d'être is all things brows, including lamination, shaping, tinting and waxing. Beyond brows, it also offers more spray tans than any other Benefit outpost in the UK. Utilising Vita Liberata's aloe vera-spiked original tan in three shades, you’ll walk out looking like you’ve spent the weekend in Marbella. 

Visit benefitcosmetics.com 

Tanning by Sophie Tague, Bromley

A James Harknett protégé, Sophie Tague’s tanning career began at Harrods and now sees her working with some of the biggest tanning brands in the world at the Brits, London Fashion Week and on Strictly Come Dancing. The trusted tanner for Maura Higgins’, Louise Thompson’s and Abbey Clancy’s red carpet looks and photoshoots, Tague launched her own tanning school in Bromley to spill the secrets to aspiring artists on how to achieve a flawless glow and, ultimately, launch their own business. If you’re simply looking for a spruce up, however, Tague does offer mobile services in south east London. These are strictly appointment-only, so it’s best to contact her directly to avoid disappointment. 

Visit sophietaguetan.com

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