Claire here, Content Creator [and self-proclaimed spray tan expert] here at Living In Yellow! You’ll likely find me sporting a faux glow year round. There’s just something about being bronzed that makes a girl feel like a million bucks! With so many different DIY tanning products on the shelves, picking the right one can be an overwhelming task. So in typical LIY fashion, we took it upon ourselves to find the BEST sunless tanners on the market!
The last few weeks, I took matters into my own mitt and put a few new-to-me tanners + my tried and true faves to the test. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it! 😉 In today’s post you’ll see the eight different brands I used and my results! Whether you have a special event on the calendar, vacation on the horizon, or – like me – you’re simply a happier person with a tan, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best at-home self tanners for a perfect DIY glow!
SHOP ALL THE TOP PICKS HERE!
Tips & Tricks
Before we begin, let’s go over the basics when it comes to sunless tanners. I think the most important part of at-home tanning [regardless of the brand!] is the preparation, application and the maintenance of it. Here are a few tips/tricks I’ve learned along the way for your ultimate sunless tanner experience:
- Always exfoliate and shave 24 hours in advance to applying your sunless tanner. I used this one all over my body to exfoliate the night before applying. This helps smooth rough areas [especially elbows and knees] and allows the tanner to go on more evenly. While it is advised to exfoliate 24 hours in advance, there were a couple of times that I ended up exfoliating the same day of application and it worked just as well.
- I use a sunless tanner application mitt to apply and I would absolutely recommend always using one with whatever sunless tanner you are using – with the exception of oil drops that go directly into your normal body lotion, just be sure to wash your hands afterwards. I used the same mitt for each of the sunless tanners I tried [so yes, you can reuse the same mitt!] Start with the mitt on one hand and do the majority of your body that you can and then move the mitt to the other hand to finish [I would allow the hand that you applied sunless tanner to dry before moving the mitt]. Spray a few pumps of product directly onto the mitt and then apply to each area of your body in a circular motion with the mitt. This allows for the sunless tanner to be applied evenly without streaks!
- If you have really dry areas [knees, elbows, ankles, etc] apply a little bit of lotion to those areas before applying your sunless tanner. Otherwise, you should be moisturizer-free at the time of application!
- I usually apply my tan in the evening before bed [it’s amazing how quick most of these dry – within 60 seconds!] and then simply rinsed off in the shower the following morning. I have been advised not to use Dove Soap after tanning applications so I typically just used a gentle body wash and then patted dry with my towel.
- Start with your face! You’ll want to wash the palms of your hands really well after touching the face tanning drops or lotion, so I recommend starting with your face – otherwise it’s a vicious hand washing/touch up cycle!
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! It is highly recommended to use a body lotion 1-2x per day to extend the longevity of your sunless tanner and to avoid it fading in a streaky manner. This brand is spray tan safe, lasts forever, and comes in so many yummy scents! Remember to drink lots of water to stay hydrated from the inside out.
Alright, let’s dive into this fun and glow-filled experiment! Happy tanning, friends! ☀️
Favorite Brands
- b.tan Clear Self Tan Gel
- Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops + Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water
- St. Tropez Purity Water Mousse + St. Tropez Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
- Loving Tan Express Self Tanning Mousse + Loving Tan Deluxe Face Tan
- Coco & Eve Bronzing Foam + Coco & Eve Face Tanning Micromist [use code [use code LIY15 for 15% off!]
Our Top Picks
b.tan Clear Self Tan Gel
Coco & Eve [use code LIY15 for 15% off!]
Coco & Eve Bronzing Foam [Shade Medium]
Coco & Eve [use code LIY15 for 15% off!]
Coco & Eve Bronzing Foam + Coco & Eve Face Tanning Micromist [use code LIY15 for 15% off!]
Bronzing Foam: I’ve been using Coco & Eve for years and after trying several different brands, it’s still one of my personal favorites! It dries fast, doesn’t feel sticky, and develops nicely! Beware: it does have greenish-olive undertones when applied, but trust the process. I like that you can personalize your tan and leave it on for 2-8 hours depending on how dark you want to be. I will say it’s not the longest lasting, but works great for about a weekend/special occasion! Face Tanning Micromist: This is probably my favorite facial mist I’ve ever used! The applicator is powerful and it goes on pretty evenly. I did use more than 3 sprays [which is the recommended amount], but didn’t feel too dark at all. It is a bit stinky, so I would suggest applying in the evening before bedtime!
Favorite for Face
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops + Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops: While I wasn’t impressed with this brand’s body mist, the face drops were a WIN! A little bit goes a long way! They are a little smelly [as expected], but I mixed with my moisturizer before bedtime and rinsed in the morning without any complaints! Self Tanning Water: This color is just SO good! Unfortunately, it was my least favorite application process. I used a TON of product; like literally 20 sprays per leg and went through almost an entire bottle in one use! I did see a viral tiktok that suggested purchasing a continuous spray bottle to put the product in [genius!], but c’mon Isle of Paradise… we love your product, but the spray bottle is NOT efficient. Ain’t nobody got time for that! If you have the patience for this one, the color is beautiful!
Fastest Develop Time
Loving Tan Express Self Tanning Mousse
Loving Tan Express Self Tanning Mousse + Loving Tan Deluxe Face Tan
Loving Tan Express Self Tanning Mousse: If you’re in a time crunch, this is my favorite fast-developing product! It only takes two hours to develop – something to consider if you prefer an overnight self-tanner. It didn’t clog my pores, making it a good option for sensitive skin. Loving Tan Deluxe Face Tan: While I love the Express Mousse for my body, I didn’t love this face cream. It applies like a moisturizer and is slightly tinted. After rinsing I didn’t notice much of a difference in color. I would personally leave it on longer next time for a deeper tan, but for the sake of this review, I only did the suggested two hours.
Best for Beginners
St. Tropez Purity
St. Tropez Purity Water Mousse + St. Tropez Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
St. Tropez Purity Water Mousse: If you’re new to self tanning, this brand is safe for beginners! I didn’t get super dark, but if you’re looking for a subtle glow that’s not too dramatic, this is worth a try! Note: it goes on clear, so it’s a little tricky to see if you’ve missed a spot! Make sure to rub it in thoroughly! Face Mist: The St. Tropez Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist is loved by the LIY Team and Community and has been a favorite for years! If you don’t notice much change overnight, try using it a few days in a row!
