Sunless Tanning

 

Best Self Tanners 2011

 

Best Self Tanners 2011

 

 

 

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Self Tanner Mist

If you are looking for an all natural sunkissed glow you may want to look elsewhere. Although this product definitely has a tanning effect my skin became a dark orange that Paris Hilton wouldn't bother sporting. Unless you roll with the likes of Snooki and Jwow my advice would be to go for a more mild tanner, something that turns a pale shade of skin a more natural beach tan. Had high hopes, really let down. Epilogue: Wound up soaking in a lemon bath for two hours to get this stuff to fade. Had to exfoliate like crazy for 2 weeks!!! 

Sevin Nyne by Lindsay Lohan

Well, you can't say Lindsay Lohan doesn't use her own product. It's evident in this photo. Linds is certainly a strange person to endorse a tanning product, mostly because she switches back and forth from pale and freckled to vaguely orange. I'm not a huge fan of Seven Nine but it certainly isn't the worst tanner on the market. Easily streaks, doesn't blend easy, but does the job. The price is certainly too high for the quality but all in all it works- just use caution while applying. 

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

This self tanner is the best on the market in my opinion. It's easy to use, hardly streaks and is quite economical. If you're like me and have pale white skin you need a product that doesn't take your tan to the extreme. This is more of a sunkissed glow than a painted on orange look. The most important thing you can say about a product like this is that it is a natural look. One of my coworkers actually stopped me and asked if I had gone away for the weekend after using. I highly recommend.  

Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer

This product is basically is moisturizer with a little bit of self tanner mixed in. To give it a full review I used it daily for about 2 weeks. This stuff really does work. It's definitely subtle and doesn't have the instant change a regular tanner may provide but if you work long hours and can't afford to take a day off to hit the beach this is a great alternative and works progressively. My only warning is if you decide to stop using for more than a day your tan seems to fade quickly. It's definitely a build up so you really can't forget. The other tip I have would be to use this after a day in the sun. It will definitely enhance and give you a gorgeous glow! 

The Great Pretender By Origins

This stuff smells amazing. Gone are the days of self tanners stinking up your entire apartment! Another amazing an innovative product that doesn't turn you into an obvious fake baker. This turns you to the shade of tan you would be if you had the chance to lay out naturally. To me this is pretty fail safe. Under $20, golden glow and no stain! Awesome product! 

Nutrogena Micro Mist 

I'm an avid self tanner and I've probably tried every single product you can buy at a local drugstore but some of this stuff needs a professional touch. I do like a good spray on application but it is not for the inexperienced and certainly can backfire. Sprays can get streaky mostly because they don't require you to rub in and cover all the skin. The plus side to this is that you wont get any orange spots on your hands but the down side is if you miss a spot your totally screwed and look like a zebra. A great thing about this is that it isn't a pore clogger so facial application feels safer for acne prone skin. All in all it's an OK product but not for fake bake virgins and use sparingly. 

Lorac TANtilizer 

This is an awesome boost if your natural tan is fading and even a good option in the winter months. It definitely gives more of a bronze outcome than mystic tan, which is in my opinion far to dark and unnatural. The key with this particular product is not to apply too much. Use sparingly and let it build up over time like a moisturizer with tanner in it. It can really take the accumulated color to a next level of natural. It gives you a great refreshing glow! 

Clinique Self Sun Body Tinted Lotion

This product although labeled a "lotion" definitely has the ability to muster up a dark tan. I highly recommend to first time self tanners as it is a fairly mild lotion with a lot of potential the more you use it. It's certainly a great way to see how self tanner works on your skin. The truth is everyone gets different results from different products so if you're looking for a mild and easy tanner to try out this is a great option. 

Dove Energy Glow Moisturizer with Subtle Self Tanner

Another great way to accelerate a natural tan. This is definitely better than using your run of the mill every day moisturizer, but not recommended for those of us looking to see a real difference in skin tone. This product fails in comparison to Jergens' formula. Mostly because it stays true to it's title and the tanner is very subtle. Difference is nothing special. 

Xen Tan Transform Luxe Self Tanner

This product definitely is effective after multiple uses but the only downside is the price and the amount you need to use to see the difference. This makes it a really expensive tanning option BUT on the plus side it works and does give you a natural glow. It takes quite a few applications which makes it so expensive that you might as well mystic tan. Not worth the cost.  

Kate Somerville Self Tanner Somer 360 Towelettes 

These little toilettes are super expensive but you do get what you pay for. With just a little swipe you definitely get a natural looking glow within 2 hours. The only problem is these things are addictive. You strive for a darker tan but it takes so many little wipes to get there you'll spend hundreds before you get enough of a tan to notice. Great, but suggested for deep pockets.  

Pro Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion

Pro Tan Sunless tanning is an above average tanner. It certainly gets the job done and is super economical. A great tan for under 20 dollars? You can count me in. I can't say that the glow/color is everything I hoped for but not bad considering the price. 

Pevonia Botanica Fitness Glow Hydrating Self Tanner

The best perk of this tanner is that it's oil free. For people like me with acne prone skin self tanners can be greasy and irritating to say the least. This product is pricey and runs in the $50 range. But I have to say the results are great and the glow is natural. It should be for this price anyway. 

Orlane B21 Anti-Wrinkle Self Tanner For Face and Body

OK, $80 for self tanner!? I know it's insane and it's out of most of our price ranges, mostly because tanner is addicting and you will always need more to maintain. But of course, just as you imagined this tanner works great. Obviously at this price it needs to. 

Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Self Tanner 

This is a very economical option. It only equates to a few dollars each tan. It doesn't break the bank and it certainly gets the job done. I can't say there isn't a major streak risk here. This stuff can get messy but if you are looking to tan on a budget it may be a good fit. Definitely not the worst on the market for the price range but not exactly a color tone that is natural. 

South Seas SkinCare Tahitian Glow 

This is an off the beaten path brand that I personally found on Amazon.com. It's under $20 which is certainly a plus but thought the product claims to be streak free it can actually totally streak if you are not careful. Word to the wise: remember to wash your hands WELL after using this product! Apply carefully! This is very thick and will definitely streak your clothes if it's not fully dry. 

Lancome Flash Bronzer Anti Age Self Tanner 

This product had a good solid result. The texture is really smooth and the color is fairly natural. I highly recommend using this in the sun. It has a built in SPF and anti aging formula which really accelerates tanning in the sun in a safe way. The self tanner works to give you a darker and more enhanced tan. This is a perfect product for people that are concerned about premature aging and brine easily.

Lavera Faces Calendula Summer Glow Moisturizer 

Being that this is a natural product I immediately doubted it's ability. Mostly because words like soy extracts are not something I expect from a self tanner. But I was pleasantly surprised by the subtle result. If you are a person that prefers natural products this is an ideal tanner for you. it's gentle on sensitive skin and certainly lives up to being streak free. Not great if you want an instant dark tan, but a nice alternative to harsh self tanning products. 

Dior Bronze Self Tanner Natural Glow Body

I really like this product. It goes on easy and gives a really bronze tone to your skin. Keeps skin smooth and doesn't go on greasy. This deepens your color with each use and my big tip to those of you looking for fast results would be to use this once in the morning and once at night then break for a day or two. It's not a daily application but if you find the right recipe for your skin tone you can get incredible results. This same brand tanner is Lauren Conrad's favorite and I can see why. 

Nickel La Grand Bluff Self Tanner 

In my opinion this works far better with natural sun light than on it's own. I've used this product after a day at the beach and within hours my tan was perfect! On it's own I'm not sure it has the same bronzing effect. I started delving into orange tones and that is the ultimate deal breaker when it comes to home tanning. It's possible that I used a little too much so may be worth a shot. But for this price I was expecting better results. 

Fake Bake 

I was really intrigued by Fake Bake after reading that Britney Spears, Madonna, JLo and ultimate Fake Baker Kelly Ripa used the product. I have to say I was impressed. It definitely gave a dark golden result which is the aim of pasty people such as myself. It's really easy for my skin to go a fake looking route with a fair complexion but Fake Bake, when used correctly can look like a week at the beach. Great alternative to the sun!

Body Bling Tanning Illuminator

Jennifer Lopez endorses this product that comes in a sleek and super attractive bottle. I have to say I wasn't sure this tanner would work at first but it definitely gives you a nice subtle change after the first application. Definitely not a streaky tanner. Being that JLO and I are far from the same skin tone I was apprehensive but this definitely worked well and worked fast. I would recommend but it is a bit pricey so you may want to check Ebay for a good deal. 

Kardashian's Glamour Tan

So when I heard the naturally tan Kardashian sisters were endorsing a new tanning product I couldn't help but roll my eyes a little. I mean these girls have the ultimate skin tone to begin with! On top of that, I've seen self tanned pics of Kim looking like a very hot oompa loompa so I wearily put this on my skin. It's orangey, there's no way around it and this ring bottle for $34.00 is a little crazy to begin with. Much better tanners out here. I say go with JLO Body Bling if you're looking for the celled endorsement. Much better than this! 

Body Drench Whipped Chocolate Self Tanner

As self tanners go I don't think this is the worst not he market but there are certainly better options out there. In reality this went on smooth and I was expecting a good result until hours later when I checked out the spotty application and unnatural color tone. Better stuff out there for the price ladies! 

Famous Dave's Mist Tan - Airbrush Kit

I love a good spray tan though novice tanners beware of streaks! There is an art to spraying that is usually mastered on the second or third application after seeing the horror of missing a spot. When you don't rub in and the tanner applies in a neutral or transparent tone it's really easy to not notice a space here or there. But all in all I liked the result of the tan itself. Pretty natural and a good buy for the money. 

Victoria's Secret Sunkissed Bronze Instant Self Tan

I'm not a big fan a tanners that have an overwhelming smell. When there is stuff on the market that eliminates this unpleasant factor I would much rather go with those. But I have to say aside from my bathroom smelling like a tanning salon the outcome was good. I would recommend this tanner- though caution users that it will smell and it WILL stain your clothes. The gold color of the tanner itself it definitely a nice touch. Nice natural bronze tan. 

Glow and Steady by Bath And Body Works

I think I made the ultimate mistake when it comes to self tanning. That is trying out a new product before I had somewhere important to go! Yes you guessed it! This didn't work out, it streaked, it gave me an awful unnatural color and worst of all I attended a very important social event after and had to dress like it was 30 degrees outside when in fact it was SPRING! I DO NOT recommend. 

Smart Shield All Natural Tanner

This is definitely a product that works better when used in the sun. I don't think just applying it onto untanned skin made a bit of difference. Perhaps it was the "natural" appeal that turned me off all together. I'm fairly untrusting when the product doesn't have a chemical enhancer that my skin is going to actuallly change color. So I gambled with this and lost but for the price I suppose it was worth the experience.  This works with the natural properties in your skin so there is no dying involved here. Great if you're worried about chemicals and sun exposure! 

Nature's Gate Sunless Tanner

I was super surprised at how well this product worked. I am very weary when it comes to cheap self tanner, mostly because I'm scarred by many poor experiences. But I have to say this one was exceptionally better than the others. It's a little thick so my suggestion is to only use a very thin layer. This stuff is strong and a double coat could easily push you into orange territory. 

Sisley-Paris Self Tanning Gel

For this price I expect the sun to personally come down from the sky and tan me! This is really an astronomical price for a tanner. I only decided to take the plunge because I was the maid of honor at my cousins wedding and wanted a really amazing tan for the photos (it was in the middle of winter). I got what I wanted but I really broke the bank. No way I could upkeep this tan in this price range. Might as well mystic. 

Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mouse

I'm usually on the fence about self tanners that are scented. They always have this very artificial smell that I get sick of smelling after the first application. But I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this ones aroma. It wasn't too musky or artificial but smelled natural. The tan was good too. I recommend. Word of caution this product runs over $40 a pop! Pretty pricey for the outcome, though I liked it. 

Body Drench Quick Tan Sunless Tanning Mist

This tanner's scented allure was completely lost on me! I was totally grossed out by the smell and had to wash it off before it even dried. Unless you like a strong vanilla body spray, I don't think you should bother with this tanner at all. Couldn't tell you if it works tanning wise only that it's simply not worth finding out. 

Elizabeth Arden Quick Spray Oil Free Self Tanner

This was a great product. Really works fast! Couldn't believe how quickly I was seeing results. Usually the pull picture takes some time but the tanning was really accelerated here. I wish every self tanner worked this way! Let's face it, no one enjoys standing around naked, trying not to streak. Loved the product and great color tones! 

Flavours Self Tanner

This product worked well everywhere but my face. I look like I'm wearing some kind of face mask and no matter how much I ex foliate it's really not coming off. I don't recommend using this on your face at all. My body came out fine, nothing amazing, but it did the job. If you're going to use this blend well at the neck so there is no demarkation and buy a good bronzer.  

Bare Escentuals Faux Tanner 

I have really sensitive skin and I constantly am searching for a tanning that wont irritate it. I think a lot of fair skinned people have this exact problem. Bare Escentuals is definitely a good fit for us!!! I recommend exfoliating really well before using. This is not greasy and not a pore clogger so if you're worried about any of these issues this could be a really safe bet!

Arcona Bronzer 

I am so happy that there is a natural looking tanner not he market that is also oil free. I'm so tired of buying one tanner for my body and separate towelettes to use on my face. It's annoying and costly to have to shop for two different products that rarely get you to the same color tone. I think I've found my solution as this didn't irritate my skin or clog my pores at all!!!

Biotherm SunFitness Autobronzer

I LOVE this product. I wish the price was a little lower as I usually pay under $20 for a self tanner this size but if you really want a no risk product that you know will get the job done quickly this is it. I love that it has a leg shaping gel that smooths out your skin- though this made me hesitant to use it on my face- so I didn't try and used another product line's toilettes. So great that they combined anti aging with self tanning. Definitely a great idea! 

California North Titanium Self Tanner 

I really like this product because it is formulated to use on your face. Tanners that I can't use on my ultra sensitive and acne prone skin are a real deal breaker. This is definitely a major perk of using California North. It's not orangey, totally gives a natural and bronze based tan. I recommend! TIP: Use while tanning in natural sunlight- it will give you an amazing glow and has a built in SPF. 

Glospa Gradual Glo Self Tanner 

Just as the title implies this is a product that works gradually. About a week in I really started seeing a difference. The only issue I have with this is the pricing. At about $30 a bottle I feel like there are better deals on the market for the same result. Jergens and Dove both make gradual self tanners that essentially do the exact same thing for less than half the price. I say save your money and go with those. 

Tarte CelluFIGHT

This is awesome! A self tanner that fights cellulite? It's like all my prayers have been answered. I can't tell you if the cellufight is actually working as I'm new to this product BUT I can tell you that the tan looks fantastic and my skin feels totally smooth. I put on a really thin layer and it was great. I wouldn't overdo this one because it's fairly strong and you can always do a second application later. Great product!

Flawless Tan Self Tanning Lotion 

This product is really formulated for use in a tanning salon. I used it before I hit the tanning bed and it worked wonderfully! It is enhanced by ultra violet light so it really gives you a dark lasting tan. Definitely make sure to check for streaking under the UV light because one little mistake would be VERY obvious here as the results are serious. 

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Self Tanner 

This is an amazing product. It's title really says it all. The bronze color is really fantastic and doesn't look totally unnatural. The best part is that you develop a tan in about 40 minutes so if you are looking for a quick fix before a night out in a short skirt Bronze Goddess is an awesome option. Way better than the tanners that are double the price at Nordstroms!  

Pure Minerals: Get A Little Self Tanner 

This is a great tanner for pale skin. It's definitely a gradual process and needs to be applied in thin layers over about a week but the end result is totally worth the wait. In 4 days I had a natural and golden tan in the middle of winter. I really enjoyed using this and it moisturizes your skin perfectly!

Keihls Sun Free Self Tanning Formula

I trust Keihls products immensely and before I even tried this tanner I knew I would love it. All of their products go super easy on your skin and never clog pores. Just as I suspected the tanner worked great as well. I highly suggest exfoliating beforehand with their Pineapple Papaya scrub as this will give you amazing results. Nice natural tan, not over the top, just what I wanted! 

Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion Deep Dark 

Oh Banana Boat, I think I've been buying this product line since I was about 8. Of course I graduated to their self tanners at 13 and learned then what I know now, there's better stuff on the market. This tanner is streaky and orange. I don't recommend- unless you're joining the cast of the Jersey Shore. Apply then fist pump away. 

St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing

I really loved using this tanner. The best and most notable part of the experience is that you literally get an INSTANT tan. I'm talking 1 song on the radio and you can see results. Didn't irritate my skin, went on easy, streak free and natural color. A+ from me!

OC TEN X 5xExtreme Bronzer

Woah! This stuff is insane! Of course it's totally out of my price range, but the one time I decided to try it out with a friend we got amazing results. My tan is SO dark and natural people were asking me where I went away on vacation! It even has an anti cellulite…..Can't ask for more than that….except a lower price. My advice: Try Ebay - totally worth it. 

Salon Bronze Airbrush Tanning (With Application Gun)

This is hardcore home tanning. The tanning gun kind of freaked me out at first but I got the hang of it and really evenly distributed the color. This, I would imagine would be really hard for an inexperienced home tanner. I would recommend graduating to this after mastering a spray or a mist. It's something you really don't want to mess up or streak because the tan is dark and lasting. It's also very tough to correct the mistakes once you've made them. Great product though, like a pro tan at home. 

Nutregena Sheer Body Tint 

This stuff is exactly what it says. A sheer tint. Totally lame product. Don't understand the point of wanting a tanner that washes off after a few hours. I suppose this could be good for a one time event but honestly not worth it. Really didn't even give me a noticeable temporary tan. Bronzing moisturizers work a whole lot better. 

H20 Sunless Tan Body Lasting Self Tanner Pump

This definitely gave me a natural looking tan and it also smelled great and really moisturized my skin. It made my legs look great, went on really even and wasn't too thick or greasy. Love that it has an SPF so you can use it to accelerate a tan when out at the beach or at the tanning salon. This is great tanner with an extra added glow and gives you a really healthy look. Love it!