Top Picks for Self Tanners

Give your pale winter skin a warm glow with our top picks for self tanners. We tested dozens of lotions, mousses, and sprays to find the best!

Best Overall
Best Overall
Self Tanning Body Milk, $42; aqua-tan.com
"The body milk spread on easier than regular lotion, and because the formula doesn't contain brown dyes, it delivered a great color that faded naturally. My husband's sister couldn't believe my 'glam glow' was from a bottle." -Kristen Shelton, assistant photo editor

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Best Gradual Color

Best Gradual Color
Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer, $7, Jergens; drugstore.com
"This made my fair skin look healthy and just slightly sun-loved, thanks to antioxidants and vitamin E." -Kelly Tomas, web/production assistant

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For Your Face

For Your Face
Bronze Goddess Self-Tanning Lotion for Face, $23; esteelauder.com
"I have sensitive skin, but I applied it before bed and was ecstatic the next morning to find a gorgeous color and an even complexion." -Julia Rutland, senior food editor

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On-the-Go
On-the-Go
Half Body Size TanTowels, $21 for 10; tantowel.com
"I rarely check luggage, so finding a good non-liquid self-tanner is huge. These towelettes are especially convenient because they're large-7 by 9 inches-and work for both face and body. Apply in one minutes, and you're dry in another." -Sarah Latta, assistant features editor

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Instant Tan
Instant Tan
Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, $40; sttropeztan.com
"Its built-in bronzer gives immediate color even before the self-tanner starts working. My shade the next day was the most natural-looking tan-from-a-can I've ever had. Just one application and I felt brave enough for my leopard suit on my cruise! -Tempy Segrest, senior designer

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No. 1 Scent
Best Scent
Bronze Self-Tanner Natural Glow for Face, $30, and Body, $32, Dior; sephora.com
"The typical self-tanner smell is usually enough for me to steer clear, but I couldn't get enough of this one. It was floral, fancy, and perfumey all at once-and gave me just-as-fabulous color." -Steele Marcoux, design editor

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Spray Bronzer
Spray Bronzer
Terracotta Spray Bronzing Powder Mist, $59. Guerlain; saks.com
"This powder-fresh face bronzer gives you radiance ASAP. It's not self-tanner, so it washed off the next day, and it comes in three shades. Going out one night sleeveless, I even gave me arms a quick shot of color. It worked great." -Sara Peterson, executive editor

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Even Spray
Even Spray
Sunless Face and Body Tanning Spray, $38, Mystic Tan; sephora.com
"I thought a spray would mean streaks, but a continuous spray yields even results. Best part: I could reach my back!" -Perry Del Favero, editorial intern

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