It’s fun to push the envelope and take chances in beauty, but when it comes to self-tanning products–we prefer no surprises! Since May, I’ve subjected my skin to countless sunless tanning and bronzing products. Let’s just say some of those experiences were better than others! I’ve walked around town with streaks, splotches, and orange legs to prove my loyalty to the cause (and hopefully spare you the trauma)! And after all of those walks of shame where my tanning disasters were out in the open, I bring you the products that didn’t let me down in the hopes they serve you well too.
Best Smelling
Beautisol All Seasons Glow – The genius behind Beautisol is their innovative SMELL RIGHT™ fragrance technology. It encapsulates the unpleasant processing odor by up to 80%. I can personally verify that it’s quite possibly the best smelling tanning product on the market, and it works! Way to go Beautisol!
Best “One & Done”
Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray — If you like to see results instantly and don’t want to be married to a fake tan until it fades away, this one is for you! Spray away to your heart’s content, and when you’re done for the day, wash it away!
Best Natural
Lavera Sunless Tanning Lotion — This European brand of self tanning lotion is packed with organic plant-based ingredients and delivered a more subtle and believable tan with the first shot. It’s also paraben free!
Best Gradual
True Blue Spa Shade To Order – You might as well be playing a game of craps with a self tanner, you never know how it’s going to turn out until you roll the dice! Control freaks (myself included) will appreciate the power to be selective since you turn the dial to distribute just the right ratio of tanner-to-moisturizer for your perfect shade. I’m currently dialing in to number 5.
Best For Faces
Bobbi Brown Sunless Tanning Gel for Face & Body — Available in two formulas, Light/Medium and Medium/Dark, this stuff rocks for faces! Layer this sheer gel to build up your color to a perfectly believable shade.
Best Drugstore
Jergens Natural Glow Express – This one consistently ranks high for savvy bronzed beauties who know it’s not necessary to spend a fortune to get a glow that rivals those achieved with high-end products. Anywhere you can find Jergens, you’re likely to find Natural Glow Express!
Best Finishing Touch
Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion – Pronounced “pretty potion”, this soft shimmering body lotion was created by a celebrity makeup artist to give her clients that perfect finish. The ethereal glow Prtty Peashun gives to a tan is incredible, especially on shins and upper arms–you’ll just radiate gorgeous!
Check out some of the lowest rated self-tanners & sunscreens
An editorial sample was provided by the company and evaluated to determine my opinions of the products in this post. Please see the Disclosures page for further information regarding my policies for using editorial samples.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Definitely curious about the Prtty Peaushian. Thanks for the tip!
Hey Victoria!
Miss you! The Prtty Peaushun is cool because they also have it available in shades, us pale gals will do well with Light, but they’ve got several for darker skin tones too
xo
Amber
Which one seems to last the longest? I have a big issue with fading, aspeacially when I shave.
Hi Jamie, Stay tuned for more self tanning coverage…this is from last year, we’ve got some new products to cover soon!