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I was very keen to try out Vita Liberata The Express Spritz because I get genuinely excited about fake tan. I’m very pale naturally and I don’t really do sun exposure at all, but I absolutely love being tanned. There’s something about having a full-body glow that just changes everything for me.

When my tan fades off, I don’t just notice it physically, I feel it mentally too. I used to think I was just having an “off week”, but actually I’ve realised it’s often just me being pale again! As soon as I do a full-body tan, I feel brighter, more put together, and honestly just more like myself. That’s why I’m quite serious about fake tan. I wear it all year round, not just for summer.

So when I tried the new express tan from Vita Liberata, the The Express Spritz Tinted Lasting Tan, I went in properly testing it, not just casually trying it.

And first impressions? Really very good.

What Is Vita Liberata The Express Spritz Tinted Lasting Tan?

This is a lightweight liquid self-tan spray that you apply with a mitt. It’s designed to give you:

• An instant tinted colour guide (so you can see exactly where it’s going)
• A quick-dry finish
• A longer-lasting tan that develops over several hours
• A natural, buildable glow
• Wash off after 1-3 hours
• Develops for 8 hours

It sits in that category of “express but not rushed” tanning, where you can rinse off relatively quickly, but the development continues afterwards.

The key thing for me is always control. I want to see where I’m putting it. This has a visible tint, which immediately makes it feel more foolproof. And for me, it is more foolproof.

How I Applied It (My Routine)

I applied it straight after a shower. My skin was not wet, but still slightly damp – not bone dry.

I used a mitt and spritzed the liquid onto it, then swept it over the skin in long, even strokes. It went on effortlessly. No dragging, no patchiness, no panic moments.

A few key things I did:

• Applied full body (always, I never do half-tanning)
• Paid attention to hands and feet as usual
• Left it on for around 5 hours (the brand suggests up to 3, but I tend to push timings)
• Rinsed off with water only, no soap
• Did not moisturise immediately after rinsing

That last point is important. I usually obsessively moisturise, but I wanted to see what the tan did on its own within its specified development time which is 8 hours.

Yes, my skin felt a bit tight that evening. But I left it alone overnight.

First Results After Rinsing

This is where it got interesting. A lot of tans look amazing with the guide on… and then disappoint once it’s washed off.

This did the opposite.

Once I rinsed, the colour actually developed more overnight. The guide had done its job, but the real tone came through afterwards. It looked deeper, more natural, and more “skin-like” rather than cosmetic.

By the next morning, after I applied body serum and moisturiser properly, the finish was honestly excellent. The tan looked smooth, even, and convincingly bronzed without looking obvious.

Colour Result: Natural, Even, and Buildable

The final colour is:

• Not orange
• Not too olive
• Not too red
• Just a believable warm tan

It gives that “I’ve been away” skin rather than “I’ve applied fake tan” skin – not that I am ashamed about using fake tan, I live for it!

And because it develops gradually after rinsing, you don’t get that common issue where it looks amazing in the shower and then fades down.

In this case, it actually deepened, which as a fan of ultra-dark, I absolutely loved.

Longevity: How It Wears After 7 Days

I applied this on Saturday, and I’m writing this several days later, around 7 days on, and it’s still going strong.

What I’ve noticed:

• Colour is still even and intact
• No obvious patchiness
• Very gradual fading
• Slight wear on feet (mostly from Peloton workouts and socks pulling colour off)
• Easy to patch and blend back in

I also added a light layer of my gradual tan mid-week (I usually do this anyway and use Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan*), which will have helped extend it slightly, but even without that, it’s holding up really well.

For me, seven days of this level of evenness is impressive.

Application: Hands, Feet & Finish

Hands and feet are usually where tans go wrong, but this was surprisingly easy to control. Because it’s a liquid with a guide tint, you can really see where it’s going. That makes blending into wrists, ankles and toes much simpler.

I didn’t get any obvious streaking or heavy build-up, which is often where express tans fail.

Texture & Dry-Down

One of the standout points is how quickly it dries.

There’s:

• No sticky phase
• No long waiting time before getting dressed
• No heavy mousse feel
• No transfer issues once it sets

It’s very much a “apply and move on with your life” formula. That alone makes it feel more modern than a lot of traditional mousses.

Comparison: Similar Tan I’ve Loved Before

This actually reminded me of an old favourite, the Fake Bake Flawless liquid self-tan, which I used to love. But this feels slightly more hydrating, easier to apply and much more forgiving on dry areas.

Top Tips for Best Results

If you’re trying this tan, I’d suggest:

• Apply after showering for smoother glide
• Don’t moisturise beforehand
• Use a mitt for even application
• Allow full development time if you can (don’t rush the rinse)
• Moisturise properly the next day, not before the development time has finished

And if you’re active (like me on a Peloton daily), just keep an eye on feet and re-blend lightly if needed.

FAQs: Vita Liberata The Express Spritz Tinted Lasting Tan

Final Verdict

Vita Liberata The Express Spritz Tinted Lasting Tan is one of those products that just makes tanning feel easier.

It applies quickly, develops into a genuinely natural-looking colour, and lasts better than expected for an express formula. Most importantly, it doesn’t overcomplicate the process.

For me, it delivers exactly what I want from a tan: a fresh, even, believable glow that makes me feel like myself again. It has earned a very strong place in my favourites. I am kind of obsessed.

For extra tips for tanning, check out How to Apply Fake Tan Like a Pro: Tips from My Go-To Routine.