Now that summer is over and the cooler temperatures of fall and winter are approaching, it doesn’t mean you have to resolve yourself to another pale winter skin tone.  Bronzed skin not only gives off a healthy glow, but can also make you look pounds thinner.  Getting a beautiful bronzed face and body these days does not require you to lie out in the sun or in a tanning bed; both of which can be harmful for your skin (e.g., skin cancer, wrinkles, premature aging).  Self tanners can get you that beach bunny bronzed look without the risks.  With all the products out on the market you are probably wondering which self tanners work the best. 

First off, price is not as important as you might think when it comes to selecting a self tanning product .  You do not have to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a product to get a high quality looking tan.  In fact, some of the least expensive tanning products will produce the same quality tanned look as their more expensive counterparts; provided they are properly applied.

It is also important to differentiate between self face tanning products and self body tanning products. When tanned, the skin on our bodies tends to be slightly darker than the skin on our faces and hands. So when applying self body tanning products you should apply a little less of the product on your face and hands.  It may even be helpful to buy both types of self tanning products: one made for face self tanning and one made for bodies.  Here is a list of the best self tanners that are available today.

1.  Neutrogena Instant Bronze, Deep

This is a sunless tanner and instant bronzer in one product that comes in foam and lotion forms and in both medium and deep tones. It has a bronze tint that helps result in an even application since you can see where the cream is as you put it on.  The cream provides an instant bronze color with the actual tan setting in approximately 30 minutes.  A great benefit is the fast dry formula, which allows you to dress within 5 minutes of application.  This seems to be the most popular product to use.

2. Fake Bake Self Tanner

You may be surprised to learn that this is the first choice of the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears when they need an instant tan.  With their flawless looking bodies you would never know they were "faking it"?  This stuff is great and well worth the purchase. Not only does it go far and tan fast, but it also has great staying power with the benefit of natural fading.  It comes in lotion, mousse, and gel forms.  Love it!

3. Clinique Self-Tanning Lotion


Not only does this product provide a beautiful tanned appearance, but it is allergy tested for sensitive skin.  The tanner has a light weight texture and dries within 15 minutes of application, allowing you to get dressed quickly and back on with your life.

4. Peter Thomas Roth Natural Looking Self-Tanner

If you want a product that produces the deepest, most lasting color of any tanning product out there this is it.  This product provides an almost immediate tan, plus you don't have towait hours for your color to develop. This is a very natural self tanning product that has a very pleasant cherry almond scent and gives you a beautiful olive undertone.  It lasts a long time and you won't believe how dark you get with just one application.

HOW TO:

Now that you know which self tanners work the best, here are some tips on how to apply them properly so you don't end up looking like little miss sunshine Paris Hilton pictured above or to the right. Before actually applying sunless self tanning products, a little prep work is in order. Here are the steps to take before application.

Which Self Tanners Work the Best: Prep Work-

• Self tanning products should be placed on clean, dry skin.  Make sure you shower or bathe before applying the self tanning product.  It is essential that you use an exfoliating scrub, luffa sponge, body gloves, or other type of exfoliation tool to slough off any rough or dead skin. This is probably the single most important step in the process. Exfoliation helps the self tanner adhere to the skin better and to stay on longer without any interference from sweat, oil, or dirt. Be sure to pay close attention to the trouble areas for self tanning products, such as elbows, wrists, knees, and other places on your body where your skin creases or bends.

• Remove any excess hair, either by shaving or waxing, from the areas where the product will be applied. Try a hair removal cream instead of foam, this will help retain moisture and no razor is necessary.

• Make certain that you rinse completely.  Leave no soap residue on your body and completely dry your skin before applying any product. For best results, wait approximately 20 minutes after showering/bathing before applying the self tanning product.
  

Which Self Tanners Work the Best: Application:

Quick Tip:  You may consider purchasing some inexpensive plastic gloves to wear when applying self tanning products. The gloves aren’t a necessity, but they will prevent the tanning product from staining your hands during the application.

• Start at the bottom and work up.  Begin with your feet and work up to the rest of the body. Place a small amount of the self tanning lotion or cream onto the gloved hands, or spray the tanning product directly on the body part, and then rub the tanning product gently but thoroughly into the skin.  Be sure not to leave a greasy or sticky film on the skin.  To do this, rub the tanner in completely until it is no longer visible.

• Continue this process, covering one section of the body at a time.  Try to avoid covering large areas at once, since you will be more likely to miss a spot.  It is best to just focus on one small section at a time, working around and then up the body.  For areas of the body where there are natural creases and bends, such as the ankles, knees, wrists, etc., pay extra attention that you do not leave any excess product on these areas.  You will want to use less tanning product on the creased areas of your body and to make absolutely certain that you rub the tanning product in completely; otherwise it will rub off and/or smear while waiting for it to dry.
  
  
• To apply the body self tanner to your face and hands, use a good quality makeup pad.  Remember, you should apply a little less of the body tanning product to your face and hands since the skin on our bodies tends to be slightly darker than the skin on our faces and hands when tanned.  You may opt to use a facial self tanner on your face, neck, and hands instead of the body tanner.  Again, do small sections of skin at a time and be sure to rub the product in completely until it is no longer visible.  Make certain to apply the self tanner evenly to the face and neck.  If you apply the product more heavily in one area than the other you may end up with your neck being paler than your face (or vice versa), and this is one faux pas you definitely want to avoid.  Remember to get the area behind your ears; this is a self tan giveaway you do not want to advertise.  The area around your neck and cleavage (i.e., the decolletage) is sometimes a little more difficult to get the tanner pigments to soak into, so it may require a little more product. Also, be careful around your hairline, eyebrows, and ears.
  
  
• If you opted not to wear gloves while applying the self tanner be sure to wash your hands in order to avoid the tell-tale signs of “orange palm.”  Unless of course a little part of you wants to look like an umpa-lumpa.
  
  
• Now for the hard part.  After completely applying the product to all areas of your body to be tanned, be careful not to touch anything because self tanning products will stain clothing and material.  Since most self tanning products take anywhere from 20-45 minutes to dry and absorb completely into the skin, do not sit on or wear any clothing that can stain during this time.  Also, avoid bending or moving too much while the product dries, otherwise the creases in the skin at the bends and folds may end up looking stripped.
  
  

Just so you know:

It generally takes anywhere from 1-3 hours on average for most self tanning products to show their fullest color from application.  With this in mind, don’t judge the color of the product until at least 3 hours has passed. If the color is too light, repeat the process above.  Once you achieve your optimal color, you can usually maintain that color by reapplying the self tanning product about once a week. Keep in mind that every self tanning product is different as are all bodies, so the time between applications to maintain your tanned look may vary.

Which Self Tanners Work the Best: More Tips: 

• When choosing a self tanner you may find it helpful to get a tinted formula.  The tint allows you to see what areas you have covered and which areas you may have missed. 
• Don’t skimp when applying self tanning products or you will end up with a speckled, oddly faded tan right away.
• Use the self tanner sparingly on drier areas of your body such as your heals and elbows, as these and other rough areas may absorb the tanner differently. Over do it and you may end up looking orange in those places.
  

© Glamouredited.com. Please do not distribute or copy this article without the written permission of Glamouredited.com. Please link to this article instead.

Does Revitol’s Anti-Aging Solution really work?

How To Get The Jessica Alba Look