The Best Self-Tan for Beginners, Tested & Ranked by a Beauty Expert
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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, 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.
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.
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.
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
BAEside Sea Spray is a self-tanning spray infused with revitalizing ingredients like blue-green algae, sea kelp, wakame, and moringa seed oil to help hydrate and replenish your skin.
- Pros: Its 360-degree spray makes it easy to reach every angle, giving you a flawless tan. Looks great even on fair skin
- Cons: It goes on slightly clear so you may not be able to tell where you have or have not sprayed. Just go slowly and you'll be okay!
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), most expensive option of the three
Want a bronzy summer glow? You need these products from Dolce Glow, Sunnee Bae Skin, and more.
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