The Self Tanners With The Best Faux Glow In A Bottle

The Self Tanners With The Best Faux Glow In A Bottle

So we have some bad news: There's only a month left in summer. Which means your tan will soon be fading. We've been lucky enough to maintain a natural bronze for the past few months, but as Labor Day creeps up on us, so too does fall and those cold temperatures. So it's time to conquer the mission that is finding the right self-tanning lotion.

Discovering a good self tanner can be a challenge -- it's overwhelming how many different self-tanning products you can come across. Some are smelly, some turn you orange and some often fade or become spotty.

The good news is, we did all of the work for you! Editors at The Huffington Post tested seven different self tanners to help you preserve that sun-kissed look you've been tending to all summer.

Scroll down and check out our reviews!

James Read BB Gradual Tan
$25, Anthropologie.com

Was the application process smooth or messy? It went on smooth, very much like a BB cream.

How long did it take to apply? I took my time -- 3 to 5 minutes -- using the James Read Mitt to make sure I had an even application after sealing my pores with an ice cube.

Describe the scent/fragrance: This is a fragrance-free product, so I didn't notice any scent.

What did it feel like? It felt very creamy, but I was initially shocked at the grayish hue. However, it blended on smoothly, matching my complexion.

How long did it take to see results? I started to see a "golden" change in my skin tone immediately. But the next day, I woke up looking like a bronzed babe!

How long did your faux glow last? For one week with just two applications total.

Did the self tanner streak, fade or become spotty? No; thank goodness for the mitt.

Did anyone else notice the difference in your skin tone? Probably, but my family and friends tend to believe that my complexion always has this even, luminous glow.

Would you recommend this product? Why or why not? Yes. It doesn't smell weird, it's easy to apply and you get actual results.

- Dana Oliver, HuffPost Style Senior Beauty Editor
Karora Tinted Self Tan Mist
$30, Bigelowchemists.com

Was the application process smooth or messy? Smooth, though they say to use a mitt, which isn't included in the packaging.

How long did it take to apply? Two minutes at most.

Describe the scent/fragrance: There was none at first and then a slightly-more-pleasant-than-normal fake tanner smell.

What did it feel like? Nothing. Not sticky at all.

How long did it take to see results? Because it's tinted, I had an immediate glow, but I definitely noticed the tan that night after I first applied it around 11am.

How long did your faux glow last? Four days.

Did the self tanner streak, fade or become spotty? Yes. Spotty, maybe from a poor application by me, but it faded on half my thigh oddly enough.

Did anyone else notice the difference in your skin tone? No.

Would you recommend this product? Why or why not? Yes and no. I think if you are consistent with application and need a quick splash of color, it's good. If you're looking for long-term effects, this isn't for you.

- Kate Auletta, HuffPost Travel Senior Editor
L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Mousse
$9.47, Walmart.com

Was the application process smooth or messy? Very clean and very smooth. It didn't stain my clothes or take too long to apply.

How long did it take to apply? Five to seven minutes, tops. It took the same amount of time it would take me to apply body lotion.

Describe the scent/fragrance: No smell at all!

What did it feel like? In the palm of my hand, it felt just like mousse for your hair but not at all sticky. It turned very light and airy once I started applying it to my skin, then it disappeared.

How long did it take to see results?Within a few minutes my skin definitely had a different tint.

How long did your faux glow last? If I didn't apply it every day, it would fade. I didn't use it over the weekend and it completely faded.

Did the self tanner streak, fade or become spotty? It didn't streak or become spotty, but it faded when I didn't reapply.

Did anyone else notice the difference in your skin tone? Yes. But to be fair, we were looking for it.

Would you recommend this product? Why or why not? Yes, if someone wanted to keep the tan they already had I'd say this is a good product to do that. I was already tan so it just enhanced what I had. I'm not sure it would work as great if I started off extra pale.

- Katelyn Mullen, HuffPost Lifestyle Managing Editor
La Mer The Face and Body Gradual Tan
$90, Nordstrom.com

Was the application process smooth or messy? So smooth. I put a layer on my arms, legs, chest and face after getting out of the shower.

How long did it take to apply? Five minutes.

Describe the scent/fragrance: AMAZING. Not only did it not smell like regular self tanner, I found myself smelling the bottle directly because it smelled so good.

What did it feel like? Incredibly lightweight and smooth; not at all sticky or thick.

How long did it take to see results? One day.

How long did your faux glow last? Just a few days.

Did the self tanner streak, fade or become spotty? Slight streaks appeared on one of my legs, but I think that was because I didn't use enough lotion one day and missed a few spots.

Did anyone else notice the difference in your skin tone? Not really, however, I was already fairly tan before starting to use the self tanner and the color built very gradually.

Would you recommend this product? Why or why not? Yes! I'd love to try it during the winter when I'm not as tan. The smell and lightweight feel is enough to convince me to recommend it.

- Christine Dalton, HuffPost Comedy Associate Editor
Sephora Collection Tinted Self-Tanning Body Mist
$16, Sephora.com

Was the application process smooth or messy? It was very smooth, probably the least messy self-tanner I've ever used.

How long did it take to apply? Less than two minutes.

Describe the scent/fragrance: It's supposed to smell like coconuts. It's not overwhelmingly pleasant or terrible, but it has a chemical sweetness to it.

What did it feel like? Initially it sprays on and kind of feels like spray sunscreen would, but then it felt a little sticky or tacky once I started to rub it in. That feeling goes away after about a half hour.

How long did it take to see results? Instantly because it's tinted. You can see where the tanner is going but then about 12 hours later, it darkens a little. This tanner builds gradually, so it took two applications a day apart to get the color I wanted.

How long did your faux glow last? About three days.

Did the self tanner streak, fade or become spotty? There was no streaking or spotting, but it faded relatively quickly.

Did anyone else notice the difference in your skin tone? Yes, it's definitely noticeable and I'm normally super pale.

Would you recommend this product? Why or why not? I would recommend this product because it's easy to apply, it doesn't streak and best of all, it doesn't turn you orange. I got a nice light bronze color from this, which is exactly what I want from a self-tanner.

- Stephanie Marcus, HuffPost Entertainment Editor
Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelette
$24, Sephora.com

Was the application process smooth or messy? Smooth! The wipes are just like those wet naps you get in restaurants.

How long did it take to apply? Five minutes. I used two towels to cover my entire face and body.

Describe the scent/fragrance: It says on the box it has a "light citrus smell" which was pretty much accurate.

What did it feel like? It felt like I was rubbing a baby wipe all over me.

How long did it take to see results? About one and a half hours.

How long did your faux glow last? I have continued to use it over the course of a few days and it has lasted nicely so far.

Did the self tanner streak, fade or become spotty? No, it was surprisingly seamless.

Did anyone else notice the difference in your skin tone? A co-worker said that I looked slightly tanner after one use but not orange.

Would you recommend this product? Why or why not? Yes! This is a great product that is easy to use and way less messy and better-smelling than self-tanning creams I've used in the past. If you're going to use a self-tanner and you're new to the game, this one is definitely worth trying. Plus, it doesn't stain your hands which is always a good thing.

- Jamie Feldman, HuffPost Style Associate Editor
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
$7.97, Walmart.com

Was the application process smooth or messy? Smooth.

How long did it take to apply? Five to seven minutes.

Describe the scent/fragrance: It smelled good, but not at all overpowering like the old version of Jergens (or other self-tanners) I've used in the past.

What did it feel like? It felt like a thicker lotion, more like a cream.

How long did it take to see results? I saw results within three to four days.

How long did your faux glow last? After one week, I still have a glow. Still working and still applying!

Did the self tanner streak, fade or become spotty? It did streak a little bit on my knees, but the bottle warns you of that. It also came off where I sweat with my sports bra!

Did anyone else notice the difference in your skin tone? My friends asked if I'd been laying out last weekend.

Would you recommend this product? Why or why not? I would recommend it because I have really fair skin and this worked without turning me orange. Only problem is that it slightly comes off when you workout.

- Carly Ledbetter, HuffPost Lifestyle Fellow

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