A great tan without the sweat?

April 11, 2006 5:45 PM

Now that spring has sprung and it's time to pull out the skirts I'm looking for recommendations on the best self-tanning products.

I'm looking for something that's easy to apply and doesn't leave me looking orange or streaky. It's been 10+ years since I've used any of these kind of products and my experience back then has left me a little gun-shy.

posted by brownbeards to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Get yourself some Jergen's Natural Glow. You use it like a moisturizer, it's white colored, but over the course of a week your skin tone subtly changes to a very natural tan. Comes in several different shades to match your skin tone and now has a version for faces.

No orange, so streaks, no abrupt lines. Explains why you could never find it on the store shelves last year.
posted by garbo at 6:15 PM on April 11, 2006

Beware the Natural Glow in this regard - once you stop, the tan fading looks hideous. Use religiously and consistently.
posted by tristeza at 6:27 PM on April 11, 2006

I'm partial to Biotherm Express Self-Tanning Gel. Doesn't streak, looks natural on my very fair skin, and fades pretty well.
posted by meerkatty at 6:39 PM on April 11, 2006

if you have sensitive skin, don't do it.
posted by radioamy at 12:45 AM on April 12, 2006

i have had lots of success with the neutrogena build-a-tan line. it comes out a very even natural color and fades naturally. it's a bit smelly but i think they all are. smell fades in a couple of hours or when you take a bath.

(pertinent info: caucasian, italian--campania--and eastern european ancestry. i tan easily naturally and rarely turn pink in the sun)
posted by crush-onastick at 6:21 AM on April 12, 2006

if you don't mind spending a little bit of money, Clarins has several really great options and is available in most department stores. My only advice would be to exfoliate everywhere you plan on self-tanning and rub lotion into rough spots like elbows, knees, hands and feet.
posted by elvissa at 6:27 AM on April 12, 2006

A friend of mine put together sunless.com to document her interest in and experiences with sunless tanning.
posted by majick at 8:11 AM on April 15, 2006