As soon as my summer tan starts to fade, I break out the fake tan. I mean, if I can look glowy and bronzed all year long, why not? All oompa loompa jokes aside, a fake tan done right can look amazing. And what I have found is that it really comes down to the product. So here are all the self-tanners that I have tried, ranked best to worst.
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse
This is the best self-tanner I’ve ever tried, and I can say that after only using it one time. My roommate recommended it to me and I am never going back. First off, it is express, so you can wash it off after a couple of hours (sleeping in tanner is the worst). For a nice bronze, I would leave it on for 2-3 hours. Applying it is so easy and it is not streaky at all if you use a tanning mitt. And the best thing about it? It doesn’t smell. The smell of self-tan can be brutally strong, but this tanner has almost no smell and the scent that it does have is actually good. All in all, this is an amazing tanner. 10/10 for me!
Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express
This tanner is great because it takes into account your undertones. It comes in four different colors, which are meant to complement each skin type. By taking a two-minute quiz on their website, you can find the perfect match for you. This tanner goes on and blends very easily, making for a very natural-looking bronze. The smell is not bad at all, especially after you rinse it off. The only problem I had with this tanner was that it wasn’t necessarily express. I ended up sleeping in it to get the darkness I wanted. 9/10 for me!
b.tan Glow Your Own Way Tan Gel
This tanner, which is relatively new on the market, is CLEAR. Forget having to worry about ruining your white sheets or pajamas with this stuff. Before applying this tanning gel, you moisturize your entire body, which ensures that there are no streaks or dry patches. Though it is an extra step, the look is worth it. Another cool thing about it is that it doesn’t feel sticky like a lot of the foams since it is a gel consistency. The only thing about this tanner is that it doesn’t last as long as many. And when it does start to fade, the scaling and patchiness are pretty intense, making for a bad look. This one is a 7/10 for me!
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam
This original Bondi Sands tanner was my favorite for a long time. I use the ultra-dark and it gives me the perfect color (I promise it’s not as dark as the name makes it seem). The foam looks almost green when you put it on, which can be scary, but it actually prevents the tan from looking orange and washes away once you rinse. Again, it is easy to put on and never turns out streaky. I did end up sleeping in this tanner, as it develops in about 8 hours, which is kind of a pain. But the biggest problem I have with this tanner is the smell. It has that fake tan smell, which is not pleasant, and the smell can last even after rinsing it off. Because of that, I give this tanner a 6/10.
Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse
This is one of the cheaper self-tanners out there and to put it bluntly, you can tell. Applying this is quite easy, but that is the only good thing I can say about this tanner. The smell is horrible, it takes a long time to dry, and the color is awful. When I used it, I turned into a real-life oompa loompa. I would not recommend this tanner. 3/10 for me!
Though I have found some pretty great self-tanners, I do want to try some more. Tanluxe and Coco & Eve are next on my list. What are your faves?