You just can’t beat the smug, sunkissed, post-hols feeling that makes strangers on the street envious. There’s something about a boost of colour that helps everything – from minimal makeup to relaxed white T-shirts – look glorious.
There are other benefits to a sunless tan, of course, (side-stepping UV damage being the main one). But aside from the obvious perks, nothing can truly replicate the sensation of being soaked in the sun… can it?
St.Tropez’ new Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Body Mist and Face Serum is set to challenge this. Having built on the success of its Purity Bronzing Water Gel, the bedsheet-friendly clear formula that launched (then sold out) last year, the brand’s newest launch features some very exciting additions. Alongside a transparent, lightweight and mercifully non-transferable formula that’ll save your favourite LWDs from stains, both products have been supercharged with impressive skincare ingredients.
But the real innovation lies in the brand’s intelligent and groundbreaking Sunshine Complex technology. Vitamin D boosters infused throughout the formula activate stores in our skin. This stimulates brightening and protective skincare benefits, mimicking the positive effects of sunshine, but without exposing us to harmful UV rays.
Purity Vitamins Body Mist, £31.00
The transportive tropical fragrance has been blended by top perfumers to replicate the mood-boosting response triggered by being out in the sunshine – the fruit cocktail scent is fresh, cheery and gives instant vacay vibes. And the natural DHA (the ingredient that helps our skin deepen in colour) gives us the delicious, sunkissed glow we particularly miss at this time of year.
The inclusion of antioxidant-rich avocado oil, green mandarin water, hibiscus flower extract, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, mean the body mist offers up superior hydration (which is essential for achieving an even, healthy looking tan). Meanwhile, the face serum earns its spot in your skincare routine with the additional benefit of some buildable bronzing action.
Purity Vitamins Face Serum, £22.00
The brand has upped its eco credentials, too. Care has been taken to make the bottles more planet-friendly – recycled plastic has been used to create the packaging. And, because most of us have long struggled with the tricky process of applying tan streak-free, the simple spritz-bottle application means you can angle it down hard-to-reach areas like your back, mist it and distribute a light, even coating before gently buffing with a mitt.
Together with the vitamin D booster, this is a faux glow that fills in the missing piece of the puzzle. The result is a natural, healthy looking tan that truly brings the sunshine.
Purity Vitamins Body Mist, £31, and Face Serum, £22, are available to buy at Boots.com.
