Current:Home > StocksNew To Self-Tan? I Tested and Ranked the Most Popular Self-Tanners and There’s a Clear Winner-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
New To Self-Tan? I Tested and Ranked the Most Popular Self-Tanners and There’s a Clear Winner
View Date:2024-12-23 12:01:38
The products featured in this article are from brands available in NBCUniversal Checkout. E! makes a commission on purchases.
Thanks to self-tan, you can achieve a bronzy summer glow all year round right at home.
However, if you’ve never used a self-tanner before, the process can seem a bit daunting. You might be asking questions like: How long does self-tan last? Will I look orange? What if it comes out patchy?
I know I certainly did!
So in the name of journalism, I decided to tackle my fear of self-tanning for an instant bronze once and for all. While a gradual tanner is usually a safe bet for subtle color (I'm a Jergens Natural Glow girlie for life), I needed some instant gratification that really packs a punch.
After trying a handful of self-tanning products from popular brands including St. Tropez, Dolce Glow, and more, I not only found a favorite, but also gathered helpful self-tanning tips and tricks along the way.
I found that the best self-tanner for beginners is easy to use and creates a flawless, natural-looking tan.
Tips To Achieve a Flawless Fake Tan
First things first, exfoliate your entire body before you tan to help remove dead skin and create a smooth base for application.
Then, use a rich moisturizer to hydrate your elbows, knees, ankles, and other dry areas to help prevent patchiness.
Be sure to use a tanning mitt (or latex gloves) to ensure an even, streak-free application. This way, you'll also keep your hands free of tan, which is not only hard to remove but can also be a dead giveaway that your tan is, well, not courtesy of the sun.
My primary reservation with self-tan was that the color would come out way too deep (or worse, totally orange) since I have pretty fair skin.
The truth is you do have some control over your tan! Development time differs from product to product, but on average, the longer you leave it on the deeper in color your tan will be.
That being said, don’t be afraid to let it sit. Most self-tanning options offer a suggested development time depending on how dark you want your tan. I cautiously left my self-tan contenders on for the minimum recommended time before rinsing them off, but you could always leave your preferred glow on longer if you want a deeper tan.
The Best Self-Tan for Beginners, Ranked
Ready to finally try fake tan? Keep reading to find out the best overall self-tanners that are easy to use and leave behind a natural-looking glow.
4. Luminess Tanning Tonic Mist
I’ll give this option some grace since it was the first one I tried and there was some user error involved. The results were a bit streaky, but that’s likely because I didn’t use a tanning mitt or apply moisturizer to dry areas before application.
The color was the least natural, in my opinion, and leaned a bit orange.
- Pros: No need to rinse the tanner off after a few hours
- Cons: Slightly orange tone, mild odor
3. St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse
Because it’s a mousse, the foamy texture is a bit harder to blend into the skin, but if you’re thorough in your prep and application, it will apply streak-free.
Since it's an express tanner, it's a good option if your low on time. Plus, I was happy with the natural tan it created.
- Pros: Good if you're short on time, the color is natural and subtle
- Cons: Hard to blend, needs to be rinsed off
2. St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Tan Tonic Drops
These self-tan drops are super beginner-friendly and provide a similar effect to a gradual tanner. Since you have full control over the number of drops you use, this product offers a customizable and buildable tan. Additionally, these tanning drops added an extra level of hydration to my body lotion, which is a bonus.
- Pros: Added boost of hydration, customizable and buildable, easy application, can be added to your facial moisturizer
- Cons: Won't give you as deep of a tan as other options
1. Dolce Glow Self-Tanning Mist
From the color to the ease of application, this is the winner in my book. The aerosol dispenses the product easily, which has a liquid texture that’s simple to blend.
The color is so natural, it’s as if I had gone on a weeklong vacation to the Bahamas. I mean, it is Miley Cyrus-approved after all.
- Pros: Easy application, the most natural looking tan
- Cons: Need to rinse it off after a few hours (yes, I'm lazy)
Shop Even More Must-Have Self-Tanning Options
Want a bronzy summer glow? You need these products from Dolce Glow, St. Tropez, and more.
veryGood! (25)
Related
- A wayward sea turtle wound up in the Netherlands. A rescue brought it thousands of miles back home
- Do manmade noise and light harm songbirds in New Mexico’s oil fields? These researchers want to know
- ‘SNL’ skewers Jim Jordan's losing vote with Donald Trump, Lauren Boebert, George Santos
- 2 New York hospitals resume admitting emergency patients after cyberattack
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- Imprisoned Kremlin foe Navalny refuses to leave his cell and skips a court hearing as a protest
- Ex-officer sentenced after assaulting man during unrest in Minneapolis after murder of George Floyd
- Michigan State didn’t seek permission or pay for Hitler-related quiz content, YouTube creator says
- Padma Lakshmi, John Boyega, Hunter Schafer star in Pirelli's 2025 calendar: See the photos
- Tim Burton and Girlfriend Monica Bellucci's Red Carpet Debut Will Take You Down the Rabbit Hole
Ranking
- This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
- Quick genetic test offers hope for sick, undiagnosed kids. But few insurers offer to pay.
- Man accused of killing 15-year-old was beaten by teen’s family during melee in Texas courtroom
- Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe Share Sweet Tributes to Son Deacon on His 20th Birthday
- Over 1.4 million Honda, Acura vehicles subject of US probe over potential engine failure
- 3rd person dies after tanker truck with jet fuel hits 2 cars on Pennsylvania Turnpike, police say
- ‘Is this all a joke?’ Woman returns from vacation to find home demolished by mistake
- Humanitarian aid enters Gaza as Egypt opens border crossing
Recommendation
-
Surfer Bethany Hamilton Makes Masked Singer Debut After 3-Year-Old Nephew’s Tragic Death
-
You Won't Be Able to Calm Down After Seeing Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Post-Game Kiss
-
Think your job is hard? Try managing an NBA team to win a championship
-
A Texas-sized Game 7! Astros, Rangers clash one final time in ALCS finale
-
Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
-
Video shows Coast Guard rescuing mariners after luxury yacht capsizes near North Carolina
-
More than $1 million in stolen dinosaur bones shipped to China, Justice officials say
-
3rd person dies after tanker truck with jet fuel hits 2 cars on Pennsylvania Turnpike, police say