5 of the Best Foam Fake Tanners on the Market

Whether you are new to self-tanning or it’s something you now cannot live without (like me!), foam fake tan is considered a convenient and effective way to get bronzed at home.

The benefits of using a foam fake tan are:

• Value for money –  a small pump can generally cover large sections
• Absorbs nicely to your skin when applied 
• Spreads evenly and streak-free results
• Minimal cleanup

Whereas at home spray bottled fake tan:

• Can stain your surroundings and require extra clean-up
• Requires half to a full can in order to tan your whole body
• Stick onto the fine hairs or surface of your skin, not absorbing properly
• Can often be streaky and hard to achieve a consistent colour all over

So, now you understand why foam fake tan is a preference for many tanners alike, it’s time to work out which brand is right for you.

The Best Self Tanning Foams

Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam

Bondi Sands Self Tan Foam - Dark

$21.95

200ml

Google Review Rating:

4.6

Buy from Adore Beauty Buy from MYER

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

It would be hard to talk about foam fake tan and not mention the Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam. It comes in both a light/medium and dark shade.

Bondi Sands is a well-known and well-loved brand for those who self-tan at home.

The light/medium shade is a great option for those who already can tan naturally and just want a top coat or alternatively, those who are brand new to tanning and want subtle results. I stress the word subtle as if you are looking for a deep colour, you will not find it here. The great thing about the light/medium product is that it provides a natural-looking colour and is buildable if you are new to fake tanning.

If you are wanting a deeper tan, then Bondi Sands Foam in Dark would be an option for you. It leaves a natural, dark but not too dark tan. This product would be perfect for someone with quite fair skin as it will take you many shades darker than your natural skin colour without looking orange.

A recommendation for using the Dark Foam, if you have an event on, apply your first coat 2 days before the event and wash off (once you are happy with how it processed). Then the day before the event, apply another coat and again wash off once you are happy with how it processed. With this product, once it is washed off you tend to lose a few shades, so 2 coats can help achieve a dark tan.

With both the light/medium and dark Bondi Sands Foam, the product dries quickly, does not leave streaks and has a nice coconut scent. Easy to see why this is a favourite for many tanners!

Le Tan Ultra Dark Foam

Le Tan Self Tanning Foam Ultra Dark

$21.99

200ml

Google Review Rating:

4.8

Buy from Chemist Warehouse

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Without a doubt, this has to be one of my favourite foam tanners!

On the first application, you will get a very dark result. I would not recommend this for someone who has never fake-tanned before or is already quite tanned naturally. The green-based formula leaves a deep, brown, natural-looking tan that dries very quickly.

This product spreads so easily and you would only need a few pumps to cover your entire body. There is no sticky feeling and the smell is much more pleasant and subtle than many of the other tanning products I have used.

I find one application of this is equivalent to 2 x application of Bondi Sands Dark foam fake tan and it tends to last a lot longer (around 7 days).

I highly recommend this tan for those looking for natural but reliable results.

Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse Dark

Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse - Dark

$34.95

120ml

Google Review Rating:

4.6

Buy from Adore Beauty

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

This is a very popular brand with many bloggers and you have probably seen many reviews if you know anything about fake tan.

Recommendations will be based on the Deluxe Bronzing Mousse in Dark as I have only tried this product, however, they also offer a medium and an ultra dark (if you are brave enough) shade along with other tanning products in their line.

While this is one of the more expensive foam fake tan products, it also delivers what it promises. It provides an instant bronze colour that develops over 8 hours. If you are someone who likes a really dark tan that doesn’t dramatically fade once you shower, then this product would meet your expectations.

If you are new to self-tanning, I would recommend using a lighter shade as the dark and ultra shades can be quite prominent on the first application.

In terms of the colour, I would have to say it was on the more orange end of the spectrum, however, it does provide a deep, natural-looking tan without streaks. Additionally, it dries super quickly and does not leave you with a sticky feeling as it develops.

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse 120ml

ST TROPEZ Self Tan Bronzing Mousse

$59.99

120ml

Google Review Rating:

4.5

Buy from Priceline

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Once you use this product, it is easy to see why it is a trusted favourite in the tanning world.

It is certainly one of the more expensive self-tanning products, however, it is worth the premium cost. It simply delivers a great tan.

The mousse is tinted which means you can easily apply an even tan without missing areas. It is a green base formula that creates a natural-looking bronze and doesn’t leave you looking orange.

With the price comes all the benefits of a great fake tan including being easy to apply, a streak-free formula and no overpowering smell.

Tara Lusk is a Sydney-based beauty enthusiast and the founder of Beauty Space. She launched the blog in 2018 to showcase the best beauty and skincare brands emerging from Australia, while also providing insider tips and tricks for hair and skincare. With a focus on tried-and-true products, Tara puts the latest cult products to the test to separate hype from substance.