My Favorite Self Tanning Products

I like Fall. I like the change in the colors of the leaves, apple orchards, Halloween, and getting to wear my favorite cozy sweater. What do I dislike? Turning pasty white again. Even though I wear my fair share of SPF, there is still a Summer glow that I get from being outside in the sun.

Not only do I use self tanner in the Summer, but I use it all year long so I don't have to look at my pasty white self! Here are some that I've been using this summer, and will continue to during the Fall/Winter months.

L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer Self-Tanning Lotion
This is a great drugstore bronzer that's affordable and easy for those new to self tanning. I see results immediately when I use it. It has a slight shimmer to it, but fades throughout the day.

This lotion comes out very dark so you can see where you are applying it and are able to avoid streaks. For someone new to self tanning, I would look for this characteristic in a self tanner.

At about $10 a bottle and you can find this at your local drug store or grocery store. Definitely a good buy if you want to maintain some color throughout the year.St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion
This is good stuff. Goes on dark like L'Oreal's self tanner, but without a shimmer. It gives instant color and good coverage. This gives a healthy looking tan, no orange at all.

You pay for what you get - it's $30, but in my opinion, worth it for when you want to go without pantyhose for a formal event in the winter. You can buy it on the St. Tropez site.
Xen Tan
I finally found a self tanner that doesn't smell like metal! Xen Tan smells delicious, and stays smelling delicious, throughout the day. The Transform formula shows color almost immediately and goes on pretty even. It's a daily moisturizer with the most advanced gradual tanner on the market. Since it goes on as a white cream, I sometimes have minor streaks here and there.

You can buy Xen Tan online. It retails for $30.


Lancaster 6 SPF Sunscreen Self Tanning (Easy Bronze Milky Spray)
SPF plus Bronzer....awesome. I've applied this all summer without any streaking. It's great for when I'm going to be in and out of the sun, and I want to have at least a little protection on.Stila Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer
Stila's tinted moisturizer looks good alone or with bronzer/blush over it. I can put this moisturizer on and wear it by itself. It has SPF 15 in it, which is key. Since I don't put the above self tanners on my face (my skin is way to sensitive) I like to use this moisturizer to make my tan look even all over.

Self Tanning Tips

1.) Exfoliate beforehand! Use a sugar scrub or wash cloth to get rid of any dry skin. Sothys exfoliating scrub works really well.
2.) When applying, keep a wash cloth or wet paper towel hand to wipe the inside of your hands/palms off. I don't like to completely wash my hands because I like color on the back of my hands.
3.) Don't scrub off your tan! I received Kala Style Coco Loco soap and fell in love. It's made from solid butter pressed from roasted seeds of the cacoa tree. It won't remove your self-bronzed tan and smells soooo good. The over-sized bar lasts awhile too!