How we became a nation of sun worshippers.

Everyone loves to look sunkissed; whether you're holidaying, spray tanning, faking it or using a sunbed, it just makes you feel better.

The fake tan industry is worth more than ever and scary tanning alternatives such as injections, pills or nasal sprays are popping up left right and centre. But what is it about sunkissed skin that drives us to extremes?

For two weeks of the year I pack up my swimwear and head far away where the sun actually shines during summer and lay in the sun all day. First thing in the morning until the sun goes down.

I know the dangers and I never burn, always applying protection regularly but even though i'm aware of the harmful rays, premature wrinkles and the fact that it'll be non-existant within a few weeks of landing in the miserable UK, I just HAVE to come home with a tan.

Despite stars such as Nicola Roberts, Dita Von Teese and Kelly Obsourne sporting the pale look and looking fabulous, we still yearn to be bronzed. Tanning helps clear skin, can reduce the appearance of spider veins and stretchmarks as well as boosting confidence in general. Vitamin D also helps you to feel more relaxed, leaving you healthier and happier. And of course we all love those post-holiday compliments, “Wow, you are SO brown, where have you been?”

A desire to be tanned is nothing new really, ladies have been lathering on the oil for back garden sun sessions for years maybe we're only just noticing it with the rise of the stunningly sunkissed celebs sprawled across the media.

Prior to the 1920s tanning was deemed to be associated with the lower class, those who would commonly work outdoors. Women were even believed to have used lead-based products on their skin in an attempt to artificially whiten it.

But legend has it that in the 1920s on a trip to the French Riviera, Coco Chanel accidentally burnt her skin, as the redness faded a sunkissed look developed, a look which Coco's fans admired and longed for.

Some years later, in the 1940s the bikini took over the original one-piece, with this came the first ever self-tanning product and advertisements began appearing in glossy mags endorsing tanning. By the 60s sunscreen was to be SPF rated and the 70s saw tan junkies utilizing sunbeds.

Also in the 70s, Mattel introduced Mailbu Barbie. This sun lovin' doll came complete with a towel, sun lotion and sunglasses and her skin would actually get darker in the sun. Pretty heedless product planning on behalf of Mattel, but come to think of it my Barbie's convertible had no seatbelts and i'm not sure whether her dream house came with smoke detectors and burglary alarms.

Regarding modern day tanning, the rise of celebrity culture has undoubtedly played a part in the obsession. Cheryl Cole and Kim K are never spotted out and about without their trademark tans and celebrities including Peter Andre and the TOWIE cast have endorsed fake tan products.

So if, like a lot of Brits you long for perfect pins try faking it with these....

 Xen-Tan, Deep Bronze Luxe, £21.50 @ Feelunique.com

• Vanilla scent - No biscuits!
• Voted best beauty buy by Elle.
• Contains Vitamin E, Green Tea and anti-oxiding which sooth skin as well as providing colour.
• Lasts upto 7 days.
• Streak free.
• Provides an olive colour, not orange!

 L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Gel, £11.43 @ Feelunique.com

• Winner of Cosmo's best beauty buys 2012.
• Provides a natural sun-kissed shimmer.
• The gel is non-sticky and non-greasy.
• The tinted formula is instant, meaning you can see where you're applying.
• Enriched with Pro-AHA for long lasting and even application.
• However needs to be applied 2-3 times a week.

 Famous Dave's Tanning Mousse Gold Edition, £24.95 @ Famousdave.co.uk

• Works with all skin tones to provide a natural looking colour.
• Dries almost immedietly.
• Praised by glossy mags aplenty including Closer, Now, Marie Claire, The Telegraph and the Daily Mail.
• Contains a helpful colour guide.
•  Streak free and non-sticky.
• No added fragrance and not tested on animals.