best self-tanner

Presenting the Best Self-Tanner of All Time, Bar None

No streaks, no smell, no hassle

Fact: Hundreds of beauty products launch every season. Other fact: Zero per cent of humans have time to try each one. In our If You Only Buy One series, we do the deep digging and test driving to declare the top beauty products out there.

Once regarded as the hallmark of a casual cool aesthetic (think Jennifer Aniston in the ’90s) or the height of beach-babedom (think Gisele Bündchen in the 2000s), bronzed skin has evolved to be seen as a bit, dare I say, gaudy. It’s become the bandage dress of the beauty world; the antithesis of current “effortless” ideals.

Call me tacky, but I don’t care. Despite the changing dictates of taste, I still relish a tawny gleam’s ability to make me feel more confident. Maybe it’s because I associate it with that blissful back-from-vacation feeling, but I swear a tan instantly makes me look more rested and serene—i.e. nothing like the frazzled zombie I’ve come to expect as my reflection.

But like many beauty writers, I shun the sun the way most children avoid green vegetables. Years of interviewing dermatologists have taught me that a few weeks of Gisele-ness just aren’t worth the irreversible damage. In other words, when it comes to tanning, faux is the only way to go.

Now, as anyone who’s ever attempted self-tanning can attest, the line between oh-la-la and Oompa Loompa can be frighteningly thin. That’s why, as your faithful beauty explorer, I made it my mission to unearth the most foolproof, natural-looking formula ever created. From mousses and mitts, to masks and mists, I buffed on a plethora of contenders, submitting each to stringent assessment. Here is what I found.

Photography by Paige Furtney

 

 

If you only buy one self-tanner, go for…

best self-tanner
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Mousse, $54, beautyboutique.ca

The brand’s original mousse has rightly earned a spot in the beauty hall of fame, but I’d argue that this fast-acting version is even more worthy of accolades. Leave it on one hour for a subtle kiss of colour, two for a medium hue or three for a deep dark tan. A quick and customizable solution to suit your every bronzing whim.

 

More of the best self-tanners

If you’re in a rush

best self-tanner
James Read Gradual Tan Sleep Mask, $58, eskincarestore.com

No time to sit around while your tan marinates? Achieve a gorgeous gleam while you catch up on zzzs with this colourless gel. It dries in seconds, so you don’t have to worry about sticking to your pillow or staining your bed sheets.

 

If you want to pamper yourself

best self-tanner
Biotherm Autobronzant Tonique Self-Tanning Bi-Phase, $40, biotherm.ca

This decadent body oil is like a five-star vacation in a bottle. The luxurious formula leaves skin silky, smooth and beautifully sun-kissed. It even fills the air with an aquatic scent reminiscent of a seaside getaway.

 

If you want to go green

best self-tanner
COOLA Sunless Tan Dry Oil Body Mist, $70, sephora.com

An eco-certified, non-GMO way to get glowing. Formulated with all the good stuff (argan oil and Vitamin C) and none of the bad (parabens and sulfates), this mist builds beautiful transfer-free radiance.

 

If you’re looking to multi-task

best self-tanner
Vita Liberata Self Tanning Gradual Lotion, $38, sephora.com

A face cream, body lotion and gradual self-tanner all in one. Bonus: It includes special technology to prevent that telltale fake-tan smell and a moisture-locking system that delivers 72 hours of hydration.

 

If you’re going away

Kate Somerville Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes, $60, Sephora.ca

 

Self-tanner-infused wipes nix the need for an application mitt and serve up a seamless glow anytime, anywhere. The individually wrapped format proves especially handy if you’re travelling and want to limit liquids.

 

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