The Best Self-Tanning Products

The beauty of being tanned is that your skin gives off a sun kissed, radiant and glowing aura. Of course, we all want to look like we’ve just stepped off the beach or returned from a weeklong getaway from the Caribbean; but this might be a bit of a struggle for those of us who live in an extremely cold climate.

With the right self-tanners and correct application method, anyone can achieve a faux glow without damaging skin under sun exposure, and maintain the same healthy glow as someone who jetted away for a week (I’ll be sure of that).

I like to stay tanned throughout all the seasons, but the key is to not overdo it. One of the most cringe-worthy sights that make our eyes sore are people who are overly tanned. Don’t overdo it: gradually apply a layer of fake tan and keep it up for as long as you find suitable for your skin tone.

Make sure you’ve exfoliated your skin so that you have a smooth canvas to work on, and the tan will last a long time. I’ve used a lot of self-tanners over the years, but there are only a certain few that have consistently come out on top.

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse

This bronzing mousse is super lightweight and velvety so that it is easy to apply and delivers a deep bronze tan in one application. You will get a perfectly natural looking, streak-free tan that dries in 60 seconds. Although this is a little on the pricey side, it is one of the best self-tanners on the market. This product is also available in a lotion, spray and gel formula. Sephora, ($40)

Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel

The Clarins self-tanner delivers a streak-free tan that dries within minutes. It is more on the subtle side, so if you want a natural pick-me-up glow then this product would work best for you. It is extremely good for those with very fair skin tones as it gives the perfect healthy tan and doesn’t look fake or too dark on the skin. Sephora, ($34)

Jergens Natural Glow

This product is one of the best drugstore alternates for self-tanners. It builds slowly, so you have to apply it over the course of a few days before you see any results. Applying a small layer to the skin every night until you reach your desired tan works the best with this product. If you’d rather not spend $30 on a self-tanner, this product works equally as well as the high-end brands and is under $10 – do I need to say more? Walgreens, ($8.49)

Which one is your favorite?

Alara Basul | Elite.

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