‘Shall we warm you up a bit?” This statement, so commonly uttered ahead of brands focused as heavily on counter staff training, was perpetually one that made my heart sink. It was an invitation to wear a basis that was too dark, ostensibly to look “healthier”, but that in preparation gave women two-tone heads and the outward impression of being a fresh five years older. The job of foundation is not to change the colour of your standing, it’s to perfect and even the skin tone your parents relinquished you. It’s the job of bronzer to add artificial colour at judicious points over the top.

But what if correct bronzer application is beyond your capabilities, inclination or one day constraints? What if you just want to perk up your summer show up directly with a sheer wash of colour that requires neither technique nor thinking time? There are easy products that promulgate. Among my favourites, and rarely boasted about by its makers, is Estée Lauder’s DayWear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Precipitous Tint Release Moisturiser SPF15 (£42). No, it’s not cheap, but it does offer big bang for your buck, as is perhaps mean by the rather verbose name. It’s an ideal day moisturiser for anyone who is not dry-skinned: on phone, it releases a sheer brown tint that seems to outfit all but the whitest faces. It also has perfectly adequate sun protection for those whose sum aggregate of daytime outdoor activity is running for the bus or popping out for a lunchtime sandwich.

The outdoorsy and sun-worshipping hand down need more, and would be better served by SkinCeuticals Mineral Happiness UV Defense SPF50 Universal Tint (£40.95, and suitable for even the most susceptible skins), which has a similar but more protective effect, has ushered me on my travels for at least five summers on the skip. Slugging it out with that for space in my grip is a newer find from British facialist Sarah Chapman. Her Skinesis Outside Insurance SPF30 (£49) offers noticeable tan while blurring any unevenness, cause behind not a hint of chalkiness.

Most natural-looking of all on pale encounters is the brilliant Olay Complete Everyday Sunshine SPF15 (£9.99), which I exalt in just about every regard. It gives comfortable, bright moisture and decent protection, and includes gradual tanners that manifest subtly but noticeably in an hour or two. And all for less than a tenner.