- Island House Photography
Much to my delight, the summer season is finally on the horizon. The warmer weather means many sand-filled sunny days ahead, as well as my scrambling to pull my sunless tanners from my cupboards. Granted, summer weather arrives a bit early here in South Carolina, but for those that may be waiting a month or two to don their favorite swim attire, it is never too soon to start planning the perfect self tan!
Everyone has heard it by now: baking in the sun and lying in the tanning beds are very bad ways to achieve a bronze glow. While the jury is still out about the main chemical in self tanners, DHA, and it's potential cancer threat, the sunless route is still the safer option when you must have some color for your skin.
I am a perfect example of how a little bit of color goes a long way. Yes, pale is always "in", but there are those of us that just need that bit of faux sunshine-kissed flesh to add an air of confidence. There is no arguing the facts: a little color (1) makes you look thinner (2) accentuates your muscle tone (3) gives the perception of health and vitality (which is ironic as a real tan often means the opposite).
- Before a tan...
- After a tan
I have tried just about every self tanner on the market, and although there are always new favorites that emerge from time to time, I have whittled down the dozens to a few select favorites that have withstood the test of time and tan. The "Wearability" rating in my reviews refers to how wearable the product is once you apply it. I truly hate being home bound because I am covered in goopy war paint (ahem, St. Tropez...)
In the next month I will be posting in-depth reviews, how-to's and videos of each product, so be sure to check back if you're thinking about trying one (or all 5) to get your tan on. I also have some new to the market self tanners en route to my home as we speak, and those reviews will be posted soon!
Don't forget to drop me a comment at the bottom of the article, I'd love to hear about your favorites!
And the winners are:
1. Body Drench Quick Tan
Cost: $12 +shipping (Amazon.com)
Pros: Fabulous bronze (not orange!) color, inexpensive, pleasant smell, dries quickly, color guide is durable enough to wear running errands or going out
Cons: Very messy (lots of overspray!), color rubs off on light sheets and clothes (but it does wash out)
Color: 10/10
Ease of Application: 7/10
Smell: 10/10
Wearability: 10/10
Longetivity: 9/10
Overall Rating: 9/10
Overview:
If you can't remember what you look like with a Caribbean worthy natural dark tan, this spray self tanner will quickly remind you. The spray is a dark brown, which provides a color guide to see where you have applied the product. Once dry, you will be immediately very tan, and some Quick Tan lovers even use the spray before special events for a quick fix to cover tan lines and subdue pasty skin.
I will warn you, the application is very messy, and I advise you apply it in the shower or in your backyard (unless you have creepy neighbors). This is my go-to for those moments when I find out I have a special event or need to be in a bikini for a photo shoot the next day- this is a quick solution for a dark tan, and the beautiful natural color it provides makes it well worth the mess!
2. Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion, Deep Dark Color
Cost: $6-$8, drugstores nationwide or on Amazon.com
Pros: Very easy application with a quickly absorbed lotion , no staining clothes or sheets (as there is no color guide), golden tan color, pleasant smell, cheap
Cons: The golden tan may appear a bit orange on pale skin in the direct sunlight
Color: 7/10
Ease of application: 10/10
Smell: 8/10
Wearability: 10/10
Longevity: 9/10
Overall Rating: 8/10
Overview: For many, this self tanner is the Holy Grail of tanners. It is hard to find fault as it passes every test with flying colors, and you can spend hours reading thousands of reviews online that agree. For those that like to build the color to a dark tan, it does so with ease.
However, this color is more golden than some other self tanners, and in the bright sunlight, I have found it can create a slight orange or fake tan hue on my naturally very pale skin. For those lucky enough to have olive undertones or medium skin, this drawback should not occur.
I have remedied the issue by not building the color and going for a lighter tan, by mixing equal parts body lotion and the tanner, to create a gradual medium-dark self tanner. This way, I can easily control the depth of the tan and ensure it does not reach an unnatural and unflattering shade.
3. Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight Self Tanning Lotion in Medium
Cost: $36 (Amazon.com)
Pros: Rich, moisturizing lotion helps smooth and soften skin, nice bronze color, fades evenly
Cons: Pricey, lotion takes a while to dry completely
Color: 8/10
Ease of Application: 8/10
Smell: 9/10
Wearability: 7/10
Longevity: 8/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
4. Fake Bake Self Tanner
Cost: $20 (Amazon.com)
Pros: Beautiful bronze color, fades evenly
Cons: Tedious application process, messy
Color: 9/10
Ease of Application: 6/10
Smell: 8/10
Wearability: 3/10
Longevity: 8/10
Overall Rating: 7/10
Overview: Once again, a highly desirable natural tan color trumps the messy and irritating application process. The color guide is a goopy but pleasant smelling light brown lotion. It will stain sheets (at least temporarily- the color washes out). but the highlight is the natural dark tan you will have once you wash the color guide off.
Fake Bake has a slew of self tanners, but this original version has remained my favorite. One of their latest, Fake Bake Flawless, has received rave reviews, but I have found the spray leaves me splotchy and that the color is not as dark or even.
5. Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Moisturizing Lotion
Cost: $10, drugstores nationwide or Amazon.com .
Pros: Easy application, natural color
Cons: Very subtle color (although this is not really a con as it is part of the purpose of gradual self tanner)
Color: 8/10
Ease of Application: 10/10
Smell: 7/10
Wearability: 10/10
Longevity: 10/10
Overall Rating: 9/10
Overview: Gradual self tanners have many benefits. Because the color builds up gradually, there are no streaks or splotches. Because you apply the lotion daily or every couple of days, you do not need to worry about the color fading. But for many gradual tanners, even with weeks of use, the darkest shade is a very subtle tan. This is a positive for most that desire the look of a touch of sun, but for those that want a more robust tan, or those with a slight issue of desiring immediate gratification (both of which apply to me), then this can be a negative.
But the ability to throw on self tanner every day with no gloves without a worry about applying it evenly or thinking about brown tell-tale stains on your gym clothes, means that a lighter glow is a worthy trade. I also prefer a tan that looks like it's just my natural skin tone, rather than a I-like-to-bake-in-the-sun tan shade. These gradual tanners can be a good compromise for a much more natural, easy, and flattering result than some of the other deep dark tan products deliver.
And there you have it...my top 5. Any you would like to see added to the list? Any you see on here that you don't like? I look forward to hearing your feedback!
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