Sunless Tanners

Sun protection is of the utmost importance. And if you really want to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, you should forego the tanning and invest in a self-tanner or two! Below, our favorites.

Best scent: LORAC SelfTANtalizer Body Bronzing Gradual
A rich vanilla scent keeps this from smelling like most other self-tanners on the market--in other words, bad. The lotion also creates a gradual, natural-looking glow.
$34 at sephora.com

Best luxury self-tanner: Dior Dior Bronze Self-Tanner Natural Glow Face
Want to look radiant and sun-kissed in just one hour? Then this gel-cream, formulated with Dior's "ph Bronze Perfect," is definitely the one for you.
$31 at sephora.com

Best organic: Josie Maran Argan Self Tanning Cream
Caffeine molecules, sugar beets and sugar cane combine with Josie's often-used argan oil to produce a self tanner that, along with Vitamin E, is super fantastic for the body.
$32 at sephora.com

Best self tanner towelettes
Okay, we have a confession to make. We couldn't pick just one in this category! Both the Kate Somerville Somerville360 Tanning Towelettes ($48 at cusp.com) and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad ($32 at blissworld.com) give just enough color to make you look totally sunkissed and gorgeous.

Best technology and innovation: TEMPTU AIR Pod Face Tan
The innovative, fast-drying and long-lasting TEMPTU system delivers gorgeous buildable color.
$45 at sephora.com

Best name & packaging: Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube
While we don't promote tanning beds in real life, we are in love with the name of this product! And don't you just want to be the silhouetted lovely lady on the front of the tube?
$25 at ulta.com

Best for legs: Lancome FLASH BRONZER Tinted Self-Tanning Leg Gel
This vitamin-fortified self-tanner tints and bronzes while contouring, hydrating and smoothing your legs. What more could you ask for?
$34.50 at lordandtaylor.com

We've got the tips and products to get you smooth, sun-kissed, and sexy....just in time to pull out those teeny bikinis! Here's how to effortlessly transition out of winter hiding:


Smooth Skin

The number-one way to make pasty winter skin beach ready? EXFOLIATE. Bliss Slim & Bare It ($45) is a a scrub-and-rub, cellulite-sabotaging duo, and does the triple duty of exfoliating, moisturizing, and fighting stubborn cellulite. The set includes full-size jars of FatGirlSlim, the 'caffeinated' visible dimple-demolishing cream, and FatGirlScrub, the circulation-stimulating skin-smoothing slough, and is all you need for smooth, bare-worthy skin. Yay for three in one, err, two products!Tip: To boost its effectiveness, rub using a circular motion, spending extra time on rough knees, heels, and elbows.

Banish Blemishes

Not so perfect skin on your back, shoulders, chest making you dread putting on a tank top? No worries. A simple acne fighting routine can make all of the difference and get rid of shoulder-shyness in no time. First, cleanse the areas daily with a salicylic acid based cleanser, like Murad Acne Body Wash ($40). The cleanser contains Salicylic Acid and Date Seed Powder to deeply penetrate skin to control and prevent breakouts, while humectants lock in moisture, keeping skin hydrated and healthy. To reap all of the acne-fighting benefits, let the cleanser sit on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it.Tip: If you have stubborn blemishes, you can spot treat them with the same product you use on your face.

Pretty Peds

It's pedicure season! With all of the fun new summer nail colors out, there's no way you should forget your feet.  Philosophy Soul Owner ($14) is a foot treatment featuring an extra-rich emollient cream super-charged with salicylic and glycolic acids to help reduce rough soles. Tip: it works wonders on rough elbows and knees too. Here's an easy, at-home pedicure program designed to get your feet in perfect pedicure shape: Soak feet in a  bowl of equal parts warm milk and water (the lactic acid naturally sloughs dead skin and softens.) After soaking for a few minutes, smooth rough spots with a pumice stone, then massage Soul Owner all over. Tip: For added softness, do this at night and put on a pair of socks before bed, to seal in moisture.

Fight Fuzz

The first thing most people think about when getting bikini-ready is hair removal. No one wants to be the fuzzy gal in the sand. Waxing, lasers, depilatories...there are so many options out there, but we are still partial to a good old shave, especially with the way shave creams have evolved! Evolution of Smooth's (EOS) Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream is paraben-free and made with natural aloe, oat, shea butter and antioxidant vitamins E and C to leave skin radiantly healthy. The non-foaming cream boosts skin's moisture level and keeps it smooth long after shaving. Bonus? It's so moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry. The cream comes in the most amazing scents: vanilla bliss, pomegranate raspberry, lavendar jasmine, island blue... and a fragrance free version for senstive skin. Seriously yummy. Available at evolutionofsmooth.com, Target and Wal-Mart stores.

Tip: Cut down on irritation by relathering an area if you are going over it a second time.

Get Glowing

If you've followed all of our steps, you're almost ready for the sun... but wait. You've been smoothed, sloughed, and silkened, but what do you do with the ghostly skin?  Self-tanners can sometimes be too harsh, especially on skin that's been hidden all winter long. For a natural, sun-kissed glow, warm up your skin tone with a gradual tan lotion. St. Tropez Gradual Tan ($30) combines serious skincare benefits with a healthy touch of bronze. Infused with soothing aloe vera, this lotion will help give you smoother skin while building a gradual golden tan, every day.Tip: Make sure to prep skin with the aforementioned steps for a smooth canvas, and you're good to glow!

It's pretty obvious by now that UV rays are harmful for the skin, especially those in the tanning booth. So you're best staying out of the sun and faking it with sunless tanners. But the ones that don't streak or leave you orange! The "Jersey Shore" cast should change their term to "GSTL" - Gym, Sunless Tanner, Laundry. Sorry....we just couldn't resist!

Our picks for the top 10 sunless tanners of the year are:

Lavera Sunless Tanning Lotion

$26, Lavera.com

More on sunless tanners:

 

• 10 Tips For A Perfect Self Tan
• Top 10 Sunless Tanners for Summer 2009
• Top Five Tested Self-Tanners For 2008
• Top 10 Sunless Tanners 2007

 

As the summer months wind down, there's no need to give up your glow. L'Oreal's New Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer Self-Tanning Lotion is your key to a sun-kissed looks even when the sun shines less. Creamy, light, and fast-absorbing, Luminous Glow works instantly, so you can see where you've applied it as well as choose the depth of your "tan". With light-reflecting micro-pearls and a delicious scent, summer never has to end. $10.49, ulta.com

Summer is the perfect time to give yourself a more tan, glowing complexion, but getting too much sun isn't the healthiest. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best self-tanners for 2009 that will help you get the bronze look you desire without the risk of damaging your skin.

Best Overall Application

Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream- We love this cream because it's easy to use and formulated with aloe vera to moisturize and cocoa beans to help prevent premature aging. Its golden color guarantees you don't miss a spot, and because it comes in a tub rather than a spray can, you won't be cleaning up spots all over your bathroom after applying. $42, nordstrom.com

 

 

Best for Face

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Facial Moisturizer- For an everyday glow and the protection of SPF 20, this oil-free moisturizing facial self-tanner delivers the perfect amount of natural-looking color. It absorbs quickly and wears well under makeup. $7.49, drugstore.com

 

 

 

 

 

Best For Travel

 

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes are packaged in individual wrappers, making them perfect for travel. One towelette is enough to cover our entire body, and the result is a natural-looking tan-- no orange in sight. We found it best to apply in a circular motion for a streak-free finish. The smell isn't our favorite, but subsides after a day. $8.99 for 6, drugstore.com

 

 

 

Most Dependable

 

Neutrogena Sun Fresh Foam should be in your sunless tanning arsenal if it isn't already. Cherished by its loyal users for years, this citrus-smelling foam goes on clear, develops a golden glow in a few hours and dries quickly once applied. $9.99, drugstore.com

 

 

 

 

Best Import

 

Lancaster Easy Bronze Milky Spray SPF 6- As the authority in the field of prestige sun-care products in Europe's, we now have access to these best sellers. Easy Bronze Milky Spray can be applied at any angle, even upside-down, making it very user-friendly. The result is a streak-free golden glow that lasts for days. $27, spalook.com

 

 

 

 

 

Best For Customization

 

Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion- The innovative, dual-chambered package has a dial design that allows the user to choose the depth of color to be applied and can be readjusted until the desired shade of bronze is met. $12.99, target.com

 

 

 

 

Best Fool-Proof Kit

 

Mystic Tan Perfect Tan Kit for Face ensures the perfect tan with its 3-step system. Gone are the days of over-application thanks to the uber-genius base that increases color depth and saturation in all the right places. $54, sephora.com

 

 

 

 

 

Best Multi-Purpose Formula 

 

Hourglass Solar Tan Self-Tanning Primer is just what we gals-on-the-go love. A primer and self-tanner in one, this glow-giving product leaves skin moisturized and prepped for your foundation. Subtle color develops over five days for a more radiant, natural look. $60, sephora.com

 

 

 

 

Best Smelling Formula 

 

Bliss A Tan For All Seasons- A user favorite, this antioxidant-rich formula provides a gradual, believable color without the typical "self tanner stink" thanks citrus-scented odor-repelling actives that mask the smell of DHA. $36, blissworld.com

 

 

 

 

 

Fastest Dark Tan 

 

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan- This super-hydrating formula dries quickly and delivers instant color ensuring you won't miss a spot. Maximum color develops in a few hours and lasts for up to a week. We recommend wearing gloves to apply this one, as the formula is highly tinted. $22, bareescentuals.com

Related Articles:

 

DuWop Revolotion Bronzing Body Moisturizer is what those of us who use self-tanner call a cult classic. From its silky and smooth finish, to its ability to give a streak-free finish (not to mention its improved non-transfer formula), getting that summer glow is beyond easy with this stuff. 

Bonus: Revolotion contains SPF 15 to go along with the kiss of bronzing pigment and subtle shimmer. $28, beauty.com

With Summer now a memory, there is no reason to have to sacrifice your beautiful sun-kissed glow!  We're not saying you have to spend hundreds of dollars baking in a tanning bed, or having someone else spray-tan you to keep it; we're suggesting that you consider using fabulous, low-cost products that will give you the look of being "kissed" by the sun, but in a more realistic, subtle way that is perfect for the upcoming Fall and Winter seasons.

 

Vaseline Healthy Body Glow Daily Replenishing Moisturizer & Touch of Self Tanner works to give a buildable, healthy glow to your skin, while moisturizers keep it feeling soft. Unlike other self-tanning lotions, this one absorbs quickly and doesn't contain mineral oil. $6.99, drugstore.com

 

 

 

St. Tropez Auto-Bronzante Lotion is a more luxurious way to get glowing at home. This self tanning lotion intensifies after 3 hours and leaves a natural, streak-free finish that won't leave you looking like an Oompa Loompa. $37, drugstore.com 

 

 

 

By Terry VIP Bronze Expert Sun Glow Perfecting Brush contains all-natural pigment that will give your face beautiful color without any self-tanning ingredients. You control where and how much color is used, and the purse-friendly packaging allows for touch-ups throughout the day! $48, sephora.com

 

 

 

Mystic Tan Sunless Face and Body Tanning Spray brings the salon-quality tan you expect from the famous company in the privacy of your home! The alcohol-free formula applies evenly over your face or body, and ensures your skin stays hydrated so it will look its best. $38, sephora.com

 

 

 

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion is unlike any sunless tanner you may have ever used. This easy-to-apply (and transparent!) formula is long-lasting, and gives a great result whether you choose the Medium or Deep version. $9.49, drugstore.com

  

 

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Liquid Bronzer is available in three formulas, fair, light and medium, and is great for a gorgeous glow that is Certified Organic. Soy helps even out skin tone while all natural ingredients keep your skin nourished.  $6.57, drugstore.com

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Sunless tanning has come a long way. Now we can soothe, hydrate and restore elasticity with pretty much every conceivable fragrance-free solution. This season introduces us to new gradual tanners that slow hair growth by up to 50% for some softer hand-friendly tanned gams. I've spent months testing the newest self-tanners, here are my top five favorites. (Want more? Check out last year's top 10 sunless tanners)

Kiehl's Sun-Free Self-Tanning Formula

Kiehl's Sun-Free Self Tanning Formula skyrocketed to our top five list for four reasons:

1. It's gentle enough for both face and body.
2. It's loaded with humectants, botanicals and anti-oxidants like rosemary, rose, jasmine flower and cucumber fruit extract.
3. Even if your application methods aren't on the highest level, you're still going to get a glow without serious streaking.
4. It delivers a tan in about three hours and our favorite shade of bronze came after just two applications.

$22.50 at nordstrom.com

Neutrogena Color Boosting Sunblock SPF 30

Neutrogena Color Boosting Sunblock SPF30 is simply our favorite way to get a dose of Neutrogena's anti UVA/UVB Helioplex protection with a bit of bronze at the same time on the same dime. Just make sure to keep the waterproof formula away from your eyes.

$8.99 at drugstore.com

Olay Touch of Sun Overnight

This was our top golden pick for a gradual tanner. The smooth lightly scented formula is loaded with high levels of glycerin to keep skin super hydrated even after the tan tint appears. We also loved that Olay didn't rub off on our sheets and towels as much as its competitors.

$7.99 at drugstore.com

Quick Tan Sunless Tanning Mist by Body Drench

Quick Tan excels at creating a browner bronze that sprays dark and dries fast. You have to use your latex gloves to ensure an even glow - and work fast - but this brown lasts and lasts. Mist your body in your shower area for a quick clean up after tanning.

$16.99 at folica.com

Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion All Skin Tones

The dial a shade container allows you to start out light and customize the exact deepness of your tan. Aveeno Continuous Radiance formula is oil-free, but loaded with moisture rich soy to keep your skin soft for up to 24 hours. The lotion works streak-free on legs and even arms as long as you start out in a lighter shade and work your way to deep dark bronze in a few applications.

$13.99 at drugstore.com

For a perfect application, check out 10 Tips For A Perfect Self Tan

Looking for that perfect streak-free at-home bronze? Here are 10 tested tips to help make you a sunless tanner pro:

1. Tight fitting rubber gloves do work just as good as your hands. They should fit snugly and be thrown away after each use.

2. Elbows, knees, armpits, and under forearms and ankles should always be prepped pre tanning with lotion or a sunscreen to prevent build-up of tanner. Afterwards, designate a wash cloth for a quick semi-damp pat over.

3. Exfoliate from head to toe. Body exfoliation should be done with a non-oily or moisturizing scrub. Oil based scrubs prevent color from applying evenly to skin. Try scrubs that are designed specifically for self tanning like L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Sunless Body Scrub. Salt scrubs should be avoided if you plan on shaving before tanning.

4. If using darkly tinted self tanners, you may want to shave legs the day prior. This is especially helpful if you plan to go on with your day after self tanning application. The dark tint usually settles into fresh hair-free pores and can give off a spotted effect on skin.

5. I am a huge fan of tanning when staying in hotels. This way, you can apply tanner before you catch zzz's and wake up golden. It also keeps the mess off your sheets at home (come on, they bleach these sheets at seriously hot temperatures so there's no problem getting self tanning stains removed!)

6. Avoid your facial moisturizer and body creams for as long as you can and be sure not to apply at all until color is in full effect.

7. After tanning, exercise should be a sweat free activity and swimming is completely of limits. If it's raining, stay indoors. Once you're caught in the rain, you'll find tiger streaks rather than an even glow.

8. If you need tan longevity, steam showers, saunas, and hot baths should be avoided during your days of deep glow.

9. Wear dark loose fitting clothing to avoid tan transferring. A tight pair of jeans put on immediately after tanning will absorb tan lotion and leave creases on your skin.

10. After tanning face, be sure to swipe a wet cotton swab across eyebrows and rub out tanner that could have deposited. Also, a cotton ball moistened across your hairline will remove where tanners like to build up during application. This will ensure a no-tell tanned face.

Want even more tips? Beauty editor Mickey Williams shares some in a recent radio interview: