I have fair skin and am having trouble finding a fake tan that isn’t too dark or that doesn’t clash with the colour of my hair. Could you recommend one that would be suitable for my colouring and that is odourless? I can’t stand the smell.

SARAH SAYS: All fake tans smell, to a greater or lesser degree. This is because the process of self-tanning most commonly consists of an active ingredient called DHA (dihydroxyacetone) reacting with the amino acids (proteins) on the surface of your skin, which makes it go brown. Usually it takes a couple of hours for the tan to develop – and with it the smell, which can be very acrid.

However, the good news is that, as from this Monday, St Tropez is launching a new ingredient called Aromaguard, which has been specifically developed to camouflage what it accurately describes as the wet-biscuit odour, and which will be incorporated into its entire range. Its best product for you would be St Tropez Everyday Mousse (£20; www.st-tropez.com) – it’s lightweight and extremely low-key, providing more of a glow than a deep colour. For a natural look, exfoliate elbows, knees and heels beforehand, apply in daylight, have some corrector cream, such as Boots 17’s Lasting Glow Wear Off Self Tan Corrector, £1.99 (available nationwide), to hand and avoid those areas where you don’t normally tan, such as the backs of arms and between the toes.

If you have a beauty concern, e-mail your question and photo to mirror@thetimes.co.uk

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