New Self-Tanners
These new fake tan products will help you achieve a flawless, airbrush tan.
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New Self-Tanners #1
By Sara Spruch-Feiner
Once upon a time, your options for getting a sun-kissed glow were basically stinky tanning lotions that turned you orange, pricey spray tans or heading outside and baking in the sun (the latter of which is so not good for your skin). Luckily, the days of streaky fake tanners are over. From mousses to mists, serums to concentrate, and mitts to wipes, your options are vast for getting your DHA fix. (DHA, aka dihydroxyacetone, is the ingredient responsible for the bronze tint any of these products gives your skin.)
Since summer is now officially -- like A/C on full-blast -- here, and the likelihood of putting on a bathing suit is increasing, we’re taking stock of the latest additions to the game and coolest innovators to help you get an airbrush tan. Just make sure to exfoliate before using any one of these!
Image via Pinterest
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L’oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum, $10.99
This lightweight yet ultra-concentrated option can last up to two weeks if you apply it three days in a row -- and takes just minutes to dry. Tanning mitts are matter of preference, but if you hate ‘em, this serum might be your new best friend as you can pump it right into your hands.
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St. Tropez In-Shower Gradual Tan, $25
St. Tropez loyalists were chomping at the bit to get their hands on St. Tropez’s new in-shower formula, which launched in June. However, it’s a great pick for newbies too -- in fact, if you’ve never used a self-tanner ever before, this would be my first recommendation.
When it comes to this easy-to-use in shower lotion, there’s really nothing to fear -- no possible orange disaster zones. You just wash with your regular body wash, apply the lotion (which simply feels like, well, lotion, thanks to the infusion of sweet almond oil) with the shower off from your feet upwards. Then, wait three minutes (I was advised to use a hair mask or brush my teeth). When three minutes are up -- aka, the DHA has absorbed --you rinse off. For a noticeable glow, three-days of consecutive use is recommended.
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Vita Liberata Self-Tanning Night Moisture Mask, $45
Packing a one-two punch of anti-aging skin care and a summery glow is this luxurious hydrating overnight mask which quite literally gets you tan while you sleep (essentially the exact opposite of real sun exposure!).
Thanks to the vitamin A, C and D in organic sunflower seeds, plus apple and aloe vera, the mask is plumping, hydrating and softens fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, tocopheral protects against free radical damage.
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Clarins Golden Glow Booster for Body, $30
If you’re super loyal to your summer moisturizer but still want a bronzed glow, look no further than this genius product, which launched in May. The drops of bronzing oil simply mix right in with the cream you already use.
This method allows you to both make sure your skin stays soft to the touch while allowing for careful precision with regards to just how tan you want to go. And since you’d never want your body mismatched with your face, you can use the version of this product for your face (which actually came out first) in conjunction with your targeted moisturizer or night cream of choice.
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NKD SKN Gradual Glow Daily Tan Moisturizer, $14.50
Vita Liberata’s more affordable line brings us this great option for a quick glow with not much commitment required. This moisturizer is a great pick for the day of an event -- a subtle glow develops for 4-8 hours after application and it provides hydration too, thanks to shea butter, lychee and aloe vera. This isn’t the product for a dramatic, dark tan, though if you use it daily, you can build up to a darker shade.
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Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse, $12.99
There are tons of tanning mousses out there, but Jergens latest launch, which came out in March, works with your skin tone to mimic the results of a natural sun tan, but, you know, without the risk of skin cancer. It takes just 60 seconds to dry and the color deepens for a few hours after application.
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St. Tropez Pro-Light, $229
If your commitment to staying glowy and subtly darker-than-usual is bordering on fanatical, then the St. Tropez pro-light, new this June, might be a worthy splurge for you. At $229, its price is not so different than a few spray-tans at your local salon, except that you can DIY-it and only worry about replacing the tanning mist, which is a far lesser expense.
