I tried a buy that promises to keep bedding spotless when you fake tan – I was boiling but my sheets stayed pristine
While I've tried to embrace my fair complexion on several occasions, it seems that my relationship with faux tan is one that will never break.
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Naturally, I've also come to accept that my bedsheets will be forever ruined - something which millions of tan-loving Brits can relate to.
According to data, spring is usually the time pale beauty buffs start to whip out their fake tans to prepare for the sunny season ahead - and Google Trend Data reveals a 9,900 per cent uplift in the term fake tan bedsheets.
Martin Seeley, from MattressNextDay, explained that fake tan ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is colourless and the main culprit for staining sheets is often the added "guide colour" in many self-tanning products.
This colourant helps you see where you've applied the product and ensures even coverage, however, it can transfer onto fabrics and in turn, cause staining.
While there are plenty of wallet-friendly hacks to banish the stubborn stains - which also include a bizarre 'milk soak' - I'm on the hunt to find the best way to prevent the orange staining in the first place.
Numerus retailers and brands have since come up with a solution - special sleeping bags you spend the night in whilst marinating in the bronzing mousse.
Keen to see whether they work - or will leave me all tangled up - I tried a ''tanning bag'' by In You Glow after I spotted a video on TikTok.
Baby pink and extra large for you to spread out in, this fake tan must-have sells for £28.50 - and while it may not be the cheapest solutions out there, it's certainly cheaper than having to constantly replace bedding.
Once the bag arrived, it was time to put it to test - will it really spare my poor bedding from looking like it's been dragged through a swamp?
After I laid out the overalls-style bag on my bed, I was gobsmacked by the size - I'm a tall 5'9'' girlie and my build is a far cry from that of a ballerina, but the bag was mega even for my standards.
I'm a bikini waxer - you're making a fake tan mistake & here's the reason why your privates are kicking up a grim smell
Neatly sitting on my bed, the two legs were so huge I was convinced there would be enough space for two people - quite handy if your partner loves tanning too.
The sleeping bag also features a special compartment to prevent your pillow from soaking up all the fake tan goodness.
Freshly fake tanned, I crawled into the sleeping bag - and was instantly amazed by how comfortable it was.
One of the biggest bonus was the leg compartment - which made me feel as if I was in my very own cocoon.
Fabulous' £10 Fake Tan Test
FINDING the perfect fake tan isn't easy. That's why Fabulous tested a number of fake tans which cost less than £10..
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Superdrug Solait Self Tan Mousse Medium - £4.79 (was £5.99) - Buy Now
Tester: Abby Wilson, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer
Review: "This product give a very natural looking tan and if you wanted something a bit bolder, I'd suggest leaving it on longer or choosing a darker shade. I'm impressed with the results, but now my entire room stinks of the stuff. If you're on a budget and want a tan for last-minute plans, I would say this is one to try. "
bBold Dream Mousse Tan in Dark - £9.50 - Buy Now
Tester: Josie O'Brien, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer
Review: "The first thing that hit me about this tan was the 'juicy watermelon' scent - it's delicious. I was left with a natural bronze hue rather than orange glow. My only qualm is that the tan seemed to stick to my dry patches and accentuated 'strawberry skin' on my legs. I'm still adding this tan to my arsenal though - the smell, colour and texture are dreamy."
St Moriz Professional Medium Tanning Mousse - £4.99 - Buy Now
Tester: Kate Kulniece, Fabulous Writer
Review: "Not only does St. Moriz mousse leave you with a gorgeous bronzed glow, but it also smells fabulous - think Piña Colada on a sunny beach. At first, I was a little bit sceptical cause I'm a gradual fake tan girlie, but this quick developing St. Moriz number may change it all."
And if you fear you might feel suffocated or claustrophobic - don't worry, there's plenty of space to twist and turn around in.
However, whilst the light material is advertised as ''breathable'', I was boiling throughout the night - but that could also be down to the fact it was one of the hottest night's Brits have experienced this summer.
As I finally managed to fall asleep well past midnight, my bladder woke me up - which is when I realised that nipping to the loo wearing this mega costume would be challenging.
Not keen to trip over and break my ankle, I slipped out of the pink sleeping bag - before crawling back inside.
So if you're also prone to desperately wanting to pop to the toilet in the middle of the night, this is something worth factoring in.
The morning arrived and it was time to step outside my new bedding bestie - and while it did seem quite gimmicky at first, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it had worked.
My light grey bedsheets looked just as fresh as it did before my fake tan ritual, despite my worries the mousse with seep through the bag.
The light pink bag, albeit covered in some inevitable stains, also looked practically untouched - although if it does get dirty, you can wash it at 40C.
As someone who marinates in fake tan twice a week and knows just how grim the bedding can look by the end of it, I cannot recommend this fabulous find enough.
And it seems, I'm not the only one - the dozens of rave five-star reviews speak for themselves.
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