Most of us are all too familiar with that dreadful, uncomfortable moment when we hit the beach for the first time in the summer season, shedding layers and layers of clothing to reveal our pale skin for all to see (and, presumably, for them to mock). Sure, our mothers (or maybe our supportive friends or beaus) would tell us, “Other people at the beach ain’t thinking about you!” And they might just be right, but we’d rather bypass the possible humiliation and discomfort (no one wants to feel like a snowflake while among tanned beach bunnies!).
So, if you need to camouflage that paleness a bit, why not get a jump start with a luxe self-tanner? I know the very term “self-tanner” comes with a stigma attached (fake, orange-y tints, streaky messes, etc), but there ARE some really effective products on the market that might just turn you into a believer.
Here, I’ve rounded up some of my all-star recruits. Let your soul (and your skin) glow!
Rodial Brazilian Tan — Light, $49.50. Visit DERMAdoctor.com
With ingredients like avocado oil, coconut oil, and caramel, this ultra lightweight self-tanner boasts a thin, gel-like consistency and a Werther’s caramel-like hue. It feels cool and refreshing against the skin and smells absolutely delicious — like a caramel latté (it might just get the best-smelling self-tanner award in my book!). The tint itself is extremely subtle, making this a great option for those seeking a subtle color boost. Since the difference is so slight, you could apply this at home in the evening and go to work the next morning without triggering your colleagues’ suspicions.
True Blue Spa Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15 For Body, $15. Visit BathAndBodyWorks.com
Oooh, how I love this product! It has the consistency of a lightweight lotion and boasts a yellowish, brown mustard-esque color. When you smooth it over your skin, you’ll be swept away by the sweet smell (think of shea butter and caramel mixed together). Not only will it infuse your skin with a golden shimmer, making you look like a sun-kissed goddess, but it will soften and hydrate your skin while doing so (and provide you with SPF 15 protection). Talk about a golden child!
H2O Plus Sunless Tan Body, $28. Visit H2oplus.com
Make sure to take off any clothing you could possibly stain before using this product because, while effective, it can cause some serious damage to your garments (my shorts are proof positive of this face). That being said, H20 Plus’ Sunless Tan packs quite a punch. When you pump a bit of the H20 Plus Sunless Tan Body onto the palm of your hand, you’ll notice it has a foamy, frothy consistency and a Coca-Cola brown hue. As you apply onto your limbs, torso, and hips, you’ll notice a deep, brown tan taking shape. If you want a dramatic change, you’ll definitely appreciate this product. To maintain the look, I’d recommend reapplying every 3-4 days.
Tarte Cosmetics CelluFIGHT anti-cellulite self-tanner, $40. Visit TarteCosmetics.com
What do most women loathe even more than unveiling their pasty skin? Allowing the world to see their dimply thighs and rears. Tarte Cosmetics is aiming to tackle both of these summertime concerns with its celluFIGHT anti-cellulite self-tanner. Featuring moisturizing ingredients like algae extract and green tea leaf extract, as well as natural DHA (a natural self-tanner) and caffeine (which helps to stimulate blood flow), celluFIGHT relies on Tarte Cosmetics’ exclusive skinTIGHT complex to improve skin elasticity while also firming and toning. The plant-based ingredients in the formula are said to speed up your cellular metabolism, prevent the build-up of fat tissue under the skin, and reduce the appearance of dimples.
After faithfully using the product for two months, I can say I did notice an improvement in terms of the firmness of the skin around my thighs and buttocks — now, this is not to say that I now have the body of a Baywatch character but, hey, I’ll embrace anything that translates into improvement of some sort! In terms of celluFIGHT’s tanning properties, you’ll only see a difference with prolonged use — and even then, it’s rather slight. But hey, if you an reduce the appearance of cellulite and get even the most subtle tan while at it, what is there to complain about?
Pur Minerals “Get a Little” Self-Tanning Lotion, $21.50. Visit PurMinerals.com
This is definitely one of my MVP contenders. Free of any artificial, chemical dyes, Pur Minerals’ Get A Little includes nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and aloe, so you’ll be moisturizing and pampering your skin as you build up your tan. Featuring an invigorating citrus-like scent (like a crisp, clean lime), the lotion dries quickly when applied to the skin, minimizing the possibility of potential staining or streaking, and delivers a believable bronze-like hue over the course of a few hours. If you’re fair-skinned, you should see a noticeable difference within two days of using this product.
Givenchy “Glow to Wear” Satin Body Enhancer, $37. Visit Sephora.com
Sometimes, what you want is just a bit of camouflaging — and Givenchy’s Glow to Wear delivers precisely that. Containing a high concentration of mother-of-pearl, this body enhancer leaves your skin shimmering like an intricately cut gem. Rather than a self-tanner, think of Glow to Wear as body makeup. Imagine applying a very thin droplet of a thin, almost watery, body-oil-meets-fou
ndation substance and rubbing it onto your skin. As your skin is enveloped by the substance, you’ll notice it looking slightly sunkissed (albeit with a bit of a coppery red undertone) and covered in magical fairy dust (due to the micro particles that reflect light and deliver the coveted shimmer effect). You’ll literally be sparkling.
Dermaquest DermaGlow Self Tanner for Body, $36. Visit DermaquestInc.com for more information or log onto SkincareRx.com to buy.
This would definitely be another MVP contender in my book. Packed with Erythulose, a natural sugar, the DermaGlow Self-Tanner provides a gradual tanning effect (it literally grows deeper as the hours pass) and safeguards against streaking (every self-tanner’s nightmare). Using DHA, which reacts with amino acids on the skin’s surface, it browns the skin in a way that looks natural while still producing tangible results (as such as 2-3 shades darker than before).
LORAC TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer, $30. Visit Sephora.com
Like Givenchy’s “Glow to Wear,” LORAC’s “TANtalizer” body bronzing luminizer fits best in the body makeup category. It’s a quick fix for when you want to wear a short dress or miniskirt and you’re feeling a bit shy about revealing those pasty stems of yours. The luminizer delivers an even bronzed look and smells like a vanilla treat (which automatically gets it extra points!). The one drawback here is that it does come off with relative ease (which can be a terrible thing if you’re wearing light colors!), so do allow it to dry thoroughly before getting dressed, and I’d highly recommend showering before going to bed to make sure that it doesn’t come off on your clothes during the night. If you take those precautions, you should be A-Ok and positively tantalizing!
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse D’Or Multi-Usage Dry Oil Golden Shimmer, $40. Visit Amazon.com
This lovely, luxurious product includes six oils (among them macadamia nut, sweet almond, hazel seed, olive and sunflower seed oils), as well as minerals like mica and silica, rosemary extract, and tomato extract to moisturize and protect the skin, while swathing it in a shimmering golden coat. The ingredients are 96.9% natural and contain no added preservatives.
Pevonia Botanica Self-Tanning Emulsion, $34. Visit DermSpa.com
This product’s citrus-y scent is only one of its many perks. Safflower seed oil, vitamin E, and chamomile hydrate and stabilize the skin, while ingredients like panthenol yield a natural-looking, uniform tan.
Dr. Denese “Glow Younger” Clear Self Tanner for Face and Body, $32. Visit DrDenese.com
Using peptide technology, Dr. Denese’s “Glow Younger” seeks to both reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and deliver a golden touch to your skin, making it the first self-tanner to also dabble into the anti-aging realm (at least, to my knowledge). In terms of the product’s tanning properties, perhaps one of the best aspects of this gel-like tanner is the fact that it glides on clear (so no hazard of ruining your clothes). If you allow the gel to dry, you should notice a difference (albeit very slight) within the hour. The tanner isn’t particularly intense, so this would be a preferred product for those of you seeking a really natural color gradation.
