How I Faked an Island Vacation Tan in Less Than 5 Minutes

It's that time of year when opening Instagram or TikTok means you'll have to confront a few friends that, rather than heading off to their hometowns for the holidays, are blissfully lounging on a beach somewhere warm. Then, by the time you meet up for coffee or drinks in the new year, they're looking sun kissed and rested while your seasonal pallor is on full display. Rather than hate scrolling through vacation photos while you're buried in a stack of blankets, I suggest turning to your makeup routine for a little (faux) post-vacation glow.

The fake sunburn look was all over TikTok this year, with the hashtag #sunburnblush racking up 15.4 million views and counting, so there are plenty of helpful tips to achieve the look at home. The best part? There's zero sun damage involved. As relaxing as it may sound to lie on a beach getting tan, the reality is that the UV rays are seriously harmful to your skin. Enter, targeted blush, bronzer, and self-tanner to the rescue. Here's how to fake a gorgeous glow in the middle of winter.

Self tanner has come a long way since appearing on the beauty scene in the 1960s (although it wasn't until 1973 that the FDA declared the chemical that provides the dark color, DHA, safe for use in cosmetics). It's incredibly easy to spritz on a buildable tan and help bathe your complexion in luxe bronzed color. To add it to your skincare routine, make sure you thoroughly exfoliate your face and neck before applying (try the Danucera D22 Tonic ($88) after cleansing). Add a layer of moisturizer and sunscreen to keep your skin hydrated and protected and then a few spritzes of gradual self tanner, like the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist ($33). No need to rub it in — just be sure to allow the formula to fully dry to avoid tell-tale tanner stains.

Danucera D22 Tonic

From

$88

$88 at danucera.com

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist

From

$33

$33 at Ulta

Swapping powder formulas for creamier options will ensure your complexion is both dewy and giving that lit-from-within flush that's signature to a day spent on the beach. To fake that sunburnt look, it's all about using a targeted application and layering your products. Once your self-tanner is set and thoroughly dry, tap a lightweight cream bronzer, like Merit Bronze Balm ($30), onto the tops of your cheekbones, on the bridge of your nose and around your temples. The sheer formula will add the perfect hint of color without looking too heavy.

Merit Bronze Balm

From

$30

$30 at MERIT

Then reach for a cream blush shade, ideally in a bright reddish pink tone, like the Revlon Illuminance Gel Serum Blush in Striking Rose ($15), and apply it to your cheekbones — concentrating the color slightly higher than the bronzer, where the sun would naturally hit your face — as well as the bridge and tip of your nose and at the top of your forehead. The dewy formula will melt easily into the skin and help replicate a few hours at the beach sans sun protection.

Revlon Illuminance Gel Serum Blush in Striking Rose

From

$15

$15 at Amazon

Add in a tinted lip balm, such as Violette_FR Bisou Balm ($28), for a seriously pretty dash of rosy color to complete the look. Then whip up a batch of strawberry margaritas, invite over a few friends, and soak in as much relaxing energy as you need, all without maxing out your credit card on plane tickets.

Violette_FR Bisou Balm

From

$28

$28 at VIOLETTE FR