Gone are the days of the orange-streaked, pungent self-tanners that haunted our beauty routines. Today’s self-tanning game has evolved into a realm of flawless glows that cater to all shades. Because, let’s be real, who doesn’t want to rock that goddess-like radiance? We have been on a quest, testing self-tanners for months to bring you the ultimate guide. Whether you fancy a foam for that natural vibe, a gradual-building cream, or quick-acting towelettes for a deep bronze, we’ve got something for everyone. And to ensure your tan is as smooth as you want.
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Type of self-tanners:
Spray Tan
Spray tans are a fantastic option if you are on the go, as they dry faster than mousses or self-tan lotions. The bad side? You need to be a pro on the self-tanner game if you don’t want to leave the house with uneven areas.
Self-Tan Mousse
Self-Tan Mousses are probably one of the favourite formulas from CF staffers as you can start to see the tan after 4-6 hours, and they are very easy to apply with a mitt.
Tan Lotions
Fantastic if you have dry or sensitive skin but still want to add some colour to the skin. Self-tanner lotions help to hydrate the skin. The tone you’ll achieve is usually progressive and adjustable, and many of them are enriched with ingredients such as vitamin E.
How to apply self-tanners?
1. Prep the skin
Exfoliate and hydrate the body 24 hours prior to your self-tanner application.
2. How to Apply
When applying the mousse or lotion, use a self-tanner mitt — as they really help to make the job easier — Apply tanner limb by limb, in circular motions, to ensure it covers all the areas of the body. We like to start with the legs and use the excess to cover small areas like the knee, ankle, foot, and toes.
3. Wash your hands
Don’t forget to wash your hands after applying the self-tanner, and never skip the sunscreen because having a lovely tan doesn’t mean you are protected from the sun.
4. Wait for the glow
We recommend applying the self-tanner before going to bed; that way, you don’t need to wait for the tan to come alive. The morning after, just have a shower and enjoy the tan.
From foam to mousse and self-tanner lotions that will bring the golden tan that we are looking for — within hours — Here are the best self-tanners of 2024 we swear by.
Table of Contents
Bondi Sands Pure Self Tan Water
You already probably know how much we love this non-toxic self-tan formula. If not, you can read here our full review.
This water-to-lightweight foam is a game-changer – it dries in a flash and is super gentle on sensitive skin. Packed with skin-loving ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, Vitamin C for radiance, and Vitamin E for repair, it’s a triple threat in the best way.
What steals the show for us is the absence of any overpowering scent. Plus, when applied with the mitt, it consistently delivers flawless, streak-free results. The tan looks incredibly natural, with zero worries about ending up with an unintended shade or an unwelcome orange hue.
Tan Luxe Super Glow Body Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum
This tan lotion is super buildable and gives you that healthy glow without the full commitment of a weekly self-tanner ritual.
You can apply it after the shower and reapply a few times a week for a darker shade. It doesn’t smell, looks beautiful in your beauty shelve, and is packed with Hyaluronic Acid to give the skin extra benefits without sun damage.
St Tropez Gradual Tan Watermelon Infusion
The cult self-tanner house, St. Tropez, never fails to deliver innovative, self-tanning products and the gradual tan watermelon infusion, is a luxurious tanning lotion that not only imparts a gradual tan but also boasts a bounty of skin-loving ingredients. And let’s not forget the intoxicating scent – it’s like having a vacation in a bottle.
Loving Tan 2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse Dark
In need of a speedy, deep tan boost? This rapid-acting formula is a go-to for achieving a rich, dark tan in just two hours. Perfect for those last-minute events, it ensures a professional, streak-free application that dries swiftly
Elle Effect The Tan
If you are a fake tan devotee, this probably will tick all the boxes for you. It’s a velvety and soft tan with a beautiful rose-scented base. Upon application, it leaves the skin feeling moisturised and glowy, and the rose scent is just a double bonus.
One layer is perfect for a sun-kissed glow, and two layers are if you want to impress, looking like you had a day out at the beach. It doesn’t transfer onto sheets or clothes and is great for all skin colours too.
Isle Of Paradise Self Tanning Butter
If you are looking for a gradual tan without the waiting time to jump onto your clothes, this is your guy. The parabens and sulphates free butter have a lovely texture that absorbs well and almost doesn’t have any smell, plus it doesn’t transfer the sheets. All it leaves behind is a smooth, subtle glow.
ModelCo Tan Mousse
This on a budget self tanner mousse absorbs almost instantly into the skin, which is key to preventing colour streaking and transferring onto clothing. Made with power ingredients such as Vitamin E, Hazel, Coconut Oil and Guarana Extract that guarantee to deliver a natural finish to all skin tones.
Tanologist Self-Tan Mousse Dark
The water-to-lightweight foam is an affordable option to get streak-free bronzed. What we love the most is that you don’t need heaps of product to achieve a natural tan – Just a few drops – And voila! Also, its fresh eucalyptus scent makes the whole tanning experience more enjoyable.
James Read Tan Glow20 Mousse
If you are willing to spend the $$ on a beautiful bronze, this is for you. The lightweight tanning mouse delivers a natural glow with no streaks or smell. The mousse goes on clear, making it a little hard to see where you put it on, so I’d recommend it in front of the mirror or in clear light. It dries quickly and is very easy to apply.
Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam
Bondi Sands’ newest release takes self-tanning to a whole new level, representing the brand’s pinnacle of innovation in tanning products. With four carefully crafted shades tailored to complement your skin’s individual undertones, this offering goes beyond the norm, delivering a customisable tan that truly stands out from other self-tanners on the market.
Clarins Self Tanning Lotion
This next-gen formula is one of our favourites from the list. The tanning lotion leaves you a beautiful natural tan in less than 24th hours and its creamy milk moisturises the skin thanks to the ingredients such as Aloe vera gel and fig extract.
Nu Skin Glow Sunright Insta Glow
Perfect for those looking for an insta bronze finish within 30 minutes — no sun required.
The buildable tanning gel is formulated for the face and body, giving a deeper, natural-looking tan as it fully develops. It goes on smoothly and has a natural look to it! We found it the perfect colour for a fair skin tone who wants a bit of colour!
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
We love how this self-tanning mousse adapts to any desired level of bronze. Whether you opt for a light touch for that golden-hour glow or choose a more generous application, this formula works its magic in as little as an hour.
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow Self Tanner For Face
Dr. Dennis Gross has a cult following on his skincare line, but what about self-tanners? These trusty glow pads are not your regular self-tan. The perfect ally for any self-tan on the go as the mini dosed towelettes are a pack of exfoliating and alpha-beta ingredients that just not only have amazing anti-aging benefits but also bring on a gradual summer glow within two hours—a winner.
Bali Body Instant Tan
Beyond providing a naturally bronzed glow, it works like magic to blur out blemishes and imperfections, leaving you with a flawlessly airbrushed effect. What’s more, their soft brush ensures an even distribution of the formula after you’ve spritsed it on, making the application process a breeze.
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