- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Green
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 1–3 hours
2. Best for Beginners: Tanologist Brightening Gradual Tan Lotion
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
A body lotion is a great way to get started if you’re a self-tanning beginner, simply because you apply them the same way you would any other lotion, and they typically don’t leave any streaks behind. Take it from Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary, who swears by this easy-to-use gradual tanning lotion. “This lotion is a staple in my beauty routine all year round because it never leaves splotches or streaks. I love how it smells and how quickly it absorbs into the skin, and it doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind. The only con of this product I’ve noticed so far is that it is very runny, so you have to be careful when dispensing it out of the bottle, but I swear it’s changed my tanning routine for good. It takes about half the time compared to when I use a mousse.”
- Color range: Three shades
- Undertones: Golden
- Format: Lotion
- Development time: Gradual
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
3. Most Popular Mousse: St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
Original video by Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs
After interviewing beauty lovers from all walks of life, it seems St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is still the most popular self-tanning mousse. And for what it’s worth, even dermatologists love it. “Formulated with moisturizing jojoba and antioxidant vitamin E, this lightweight, easy-to-apply mousse offers a tan that lasts up to 10 days and fades evenly,” says Brendan Camp, MD, double-board-certified dermatologist at NYC’s MDCS Dermatology.
“I’ve never used a self-tanner before—my nightmare scenario is using a product that’s so dark that I look like I sat in an oven, and that it streaks and stains my towels and clothes. I’m also not someone who’s especially concerned about looking pale in winter. That said, I was curious to try St. Tropez’s mousse because I’ve heard many good things about it over the years,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “I followed the directions: exfoliated in the shower, buttered myself up with lotion, and then slid the product’s included mitt over my hand. To apply, I squirted the mousse onto the mitt and then swiped it onto my arms and legs in small, circular motions. The consistency is like a foam hand soap—very airy. It has a gray-green-brown color that I was skeptical would look good, but somehow, when rubbed into the skin, it leaves a very faint beige behind. It seems to blend with my actual skin tone. I was truly surprised! None of my fears were confirmed. My arms and legs were very faintly tanned—not really noticeably so, but in a way that I think I could build on the tan over time. My face wasn’t left looking super white by comparison. There’s no cloying perfume-y smell, and it dried almost instantly so I could put on my clothes. I look like I spent a day in the sun with SPF on, which is a nice effect to have in the dead of winter (although no one will see my arms and legs save me).”
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Brown
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 4–8 hours
4. Best for Face: L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Drops
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
The beauty of some facial tanners, like these drugstore drops, is that they’re easy to incorporate into your skin care routine with little finesse. “I’ve used self-tanning products for years, but this one lets me mix the formula with my own moisturizer,” says Glamour’s senior West Coast editor, Jessica Radloff. “L’Oréal’s Tanning Drops recognize that the secret to a more even, natural bronze glow is to blend the tanner with a cream for a tailor-made mistake-proof glow. The dropper gives you just the right amount to mix into your moisturizer, so you don’t have to worry about any product going to waste.”
