Six second tan test

This time of year invariably means cold, dull weather and even duller complexions. So if the long winter has left you looking pale and pasty, and you can't jet off to the sun to get a real glow on your cheeks - just fake it. The latest development in tanning technology means you can acquire a tan in as little as six seconds.

Tans that come out of a bottle are the safe alternative to sunbeds and sunbathing, which are major culprits in the incidence of skin cancer. And fake tans have come a long way in recent years - they no longer smell vile and turn you orange.

These days they leave you with a healthy sun-kissed glow that lasts for weeks. The celebs' favourite - used by Victoria Beckham and Cat Deely is the St Tropez tan, which is applied by a therapist in a salon, and takes about an hour to work. We tested four tanning products that range from six seconds to an hour to apply to see whether faster really means better.

SIX-SECOND TAN

The Instant Tan, tested by Liz Harding, 23, a publicist from south London.

Lasts for: five to seven days.

Costs: £30.

Selling points: the speed and the fact that it's an all-round spray, so you don't have to keep changing positions.

Colour: the orange side of brown.

How did it look? "Nothing freakish - just tanned."

Tester's verdict: "I didn't realise that I should have taken my contact lenses out or that I needed to rub the tan in afterwards - by the time I found out, I had a couple of streaky bits on my arm. When the machine sprayed there was mist everywhere, and it was hard to breathe in the tiny capsule.

Would you do it again? "Perhaps. But £30 is a lot for a six-second treatment."

Find it at: Saks Covent Garden (020 7379 1188) and South Kensington.

Score: five out of 10.

24-SECOND TAN

The Mystic Tan, tested by Sue Knights, 19, a student from Buckinghamshire.

Lasts for: seven days.

Costs: £24.99.

Selling points: contains MagneTan, an ingredient which claims to prevent the same bit of your body being covered twice as the spray sweeps across you.

Colour: light brown.

How did it look? "You'd be fine to go out."

Tester's verdict: "Very easy and convenient, and I'm pleased with the natural colour. Everything was explained clearly beforehand. I've tried other tans and had an allergic reaction, but this one was fine. It did smell a bit, but it wasn't unpleasant."

Would you do it again? "Yes. I don't tan easily, so this is a good alternative."

Find it at: Tanning Shop branches (01325 363 921)

Score: seven out of 10.

60-SECOND TAN

Jean Paul Mist-On Tanning, tested by Susana Figueiredo, 25, a student from north-west London.

Lasts for: seven days.

Costs: £45.

Selling points: a moisture-rich formula which is popular with Jennifer Aniston.

Colour: a good, natural brown.

How did it look? "I was immediately brown."

Tester's verdict: "It was really easy. A mat shows you where to stand. Each time you press the button you are sprayed for 15 seconds. It's not difficult to breathe as it's not too confined a space. The colour developed very well, and there's no nasty smell."

Would you do it again? "It's expensive, but it's money well spent."

Find it at: Golden Glow, Avery Row, W1 (020 7495 7677) or call 0800 783 0056 for other salons.

Score: eight out of 10.

ONE-HOUR TAN

The St Tropez salon tan, tested by Claire Anderson, 27, who works in marketing and lives in east London.

Lasts for: seven to 10 days.

Costs: £40 for a salon treatment.

Selling points: thorough body exfoliation as well as the tan. Professional application.

Colour: a good, natural tan.

How did it look? Odd - rather dirty and dark.

Tester's verdict: "This is one to do in the evening - I wouldn't want to go to work or straight out after this. It smelled nice when it went on, but by the morning the tan smell was strong. It's a good colour, though, and looks real on my very pale skin."

Would you do it again? "Yes, for a special occasion - it's not cheap."

Find it at: innumerable salons - call 0115 983 6363 for details.

Score: six out of 10.