‘Everyone thinks I’ve been on holiday but it’s just a £20 viral fake tan’

Coco & Eve has made a name for itself with viral products like the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, which delivers a sunkissed glow. Beauty writer Eve Rowlands tested them out to see if it’s worth the hype

There’s no confidence boost quite like having a fresh, healthy-looking, bronze following a trip to the Spanish coast, having enjoyed some much-needed sunshine. However, that luxury is often a once-a-year treat come summer. So for the rest of the time, whenever wanting to ooze that post-holiday glow, I turn to a brand whose formulas have never let me down since I first started using them in 2020 – my beloved, Coco & Eve.

Avoiding that typical ‘Tangoed’ effect many fake tans can leave us with (resembling a vibrant orange), the Coco & Eve formulas have a green-grey base. This leaves its users with a more olive-toned finish, which I much prefer. What’s more is I hardly ever experience streaks from its application as it blends so well (with a mitt) and it fades subtly – none of that scaly-looking skin business that’s a telltale sign you’ve tanned, especially on the legs. I mean, no wonder it’s a viral sensation.

As someone who much prefers having a tan than not – I just look better, okay? – I have both the Express Tanning Antioxidant Mousse, £29, as well as the famed Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam and find that the latter delivers a slightly stronger, darker tan (if I’m splitting hairs) as it requires a longer time to develop – over six hours.

That said, I do love the Express concoction for those times where you need a quick boost as it develops in just one hour (although I tend to leave it on for two) and generates a really nice sun-kissed look that works just as well.

Costing £26 usually, the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is currently on sale for £20.80 and a bottle typically lasts up to 20 full body tanning sessions, which is essentially £1 per tan (a bargain considering most spray tans cost between £25-£35 on average).

As one of the – if not the – brand’s most coveted items, one bottle sells every 20 seconds. And it not only delivers a solid colour that truly makes you look like you’ve just returned from holiday, but its skincare ingredients leaves skin hydrated, soft and firmed up (thank you Cellushape technology).

With three shades on offer, medium, dark and ultra dark, I have the ‘dark’ hue and feel like it’s enough for my skin tone to generate a deep tan that has my friends seriously fooled – in fact, the last time I applied the tan, a number of them asked me if I’d just got back from holiday. I had not (unfortunately).

The Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam takes minimum six hours to develop, although I prefer leaving it on for a few hours longer, overnight if possible, and is pretty fast drying. I will say that, in the first few hours of the developmental stage, it does feel slightly sticky – not too tacky, but it’s noticeable for the wearer – and dimishes after about 4 or 5 hours. So, don’t put any tight fitting clothes on as it’s likely they’ll have a smidge brown tinge to them, especially waistbands.

For those who’d prefer more of a moisturiser-type tanner, I’ve previously used and loved the Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan Cream, £55 and Ella & Jo Hydrate & Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturiser, £22), both of which build up a lovely tan without feeling a bit claggy.

What’s I love about the Coco & Eve fake tan is that it, famously, doesn’t have that obviously biscuit-y fake-tan scent, emitting a more fruity, sweet fragrance that really does smell subtly of mango and guava.

It’s more pungent when squeezing out the foam and when sniffing the bottle, then dissipates when applied to the skin. While it is mostly a lovely scent, my husband remarked on last application that I did still have a hint of a biscuit-y undertone mixed in with the tropical scent, although I didn’t notice it.

With an unbranded mitt as my main tool of application, when having to smooth the foam on myself alone my back tends to be a little patchy – as I am sadly not that bendy and can’t reach all areas. I’d advise getting the Coco & Eve Back Tan Applicator, £5 to avoid this.

My downfall is always the blending of the hands, too – my most recent application had a very obvious line on my wrist, which could have been made better if I’d invested in the £20 Deluxe Vegan Kabuki Brush, which the brand states is great for those ‘ tricky-to-tan areas like hands, feet and face’.

Although when it came to my face, I used the Coco & Eve Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist, now on sale for £20.80 from £26. It’s infused with skin-loving antioxidants and hydration-rich ingredients like pssionfruit, coconut and watermelon, which help moisturise, smooth and balance the skin with rich beta-carotene nutrients.

Developing similarly to the Bali Bronze, the face mist contains all natural DHA, but also hydration and collagen boosting ingredients like HyalurosmoothTM (a plant extract hyaluronic acid-like active) and its Antioxidant Complex. Coming in a spray bottle, the formula is easy to apply – and avoids the dreaded Wotsit hands – with the directions stating to spritz directly to the face avoiding the eyes and lips.

This particular direction was a little difficult as the spray nozzle isn’t contained, due to the nature of the applicator.

That being said, it developed a lot better than I was anticipating and covered more than expected, giving my forehead and cheekbones a really nice tan – which are the main areas that would typically catch the sun when on holiday, anyway. I will say that on my forehead, I did spritz it a little too close, which resulted in it looking a little dirty… but that’s only obvious if I look hard.

While I enjoy this misted application and loved how quick and easy it was (30 seconds and done), I found that I got a more rounded finish when using bronzing drops, such as the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops, £38. Although this could just be a case of needed to perfect the technique as I’ve seen incredible results online from this particular product, so I’ll report back.

Coco & Eve does have an Anti-Aging Tanning Serum, however, which is to be applied like your typical serum (before moisturisers) and can be topped up every other day, until the optimal tan is achieved.

All in all, Coco & Eve continually wows me with its results, and if you needed a push to invest in the products, unconvinced by their viral-status, take this as your sign – they truly work.