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Self Tanning Essentials for a Streak Free Glow
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items I’ve spent over 10 years testing self-tanners and trying pretty much everything out there. These are my favorite tips and products for a smooth, streak-free glow every time. No matter your experience level, this guide will help you nail your perfect ...
Sections
7
Pre-Tan Prep
Application Tools
Body Tanners
Face Tanners
Everyday Tanners
Self-Tan Kits
Pre-Tan Prep
The secret to a perfect tan starts before any product touches your skin. Exfoliating and shaving removes dead skin and creates a smooth canvas, helping your tan go on evenly and last longer. Doing this step right keeps rough patches, bumps, and flaky...
Use on dry skin before shower to remove dry skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs!
Exfoliating Dry Brush for Sensitive Skin - Kitsch
Can't go wrong with this body brush!
EcoTools Dry Body Brush
Exfoliating mitts to smooth skin and remove dead skin buildup. You can use on dry skin or in shower!
Deep Exfoliating Glove
Gloves to help remove dead skin and prep your body for an even self-tan. Love to use with body scrub!
EcoTools Exfoliating Bath + Shower Gloves
FAV BODY SCRUB
18.0 oz Tropic Glow Firming Sugar Scrub - Tree Hut | Ulta Beauty
Smooth, soft, and bump free! This scrub combines AHAs and pumice to exfoliate and refine skin texture, perfect for tackling bumpy skin. Safe even for sensitive skin!
Original KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA - First Aid Beauty | Ulta Beauty
Hydrating shave oil that prevents nicks, irritation, and razor bumps for a close, smooth shave. Perfect prep before self tanning!
Vanilla Moisturizing Shave Oil - Tree Hut
10/10 shaving oil
eos Cashmere Shave Oil - Fresh and Cozy - 6 fl oz
I've tried so many razors and this one really helps with my ingrown hairs! I love it!
Harry's Original Razor Handle for Men with 2 Razor Blade Cartridges - Black
Application Tools
I’ve tried every mitt, brush, and applicator out there, and the right tools make applying tanner SO much easier. They help spread product evenly, prevent stained hands, and get those tricky spots like your back, elbows, knees, and feet perfectly blen...
One of the first mitts I used
Double Sided Luxe Tan Applicator Mitt - St. Tropez
Still use this one!!
Deluxe Self Tanning Applicator Mitt - Loving Tan
My current go-to!
Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Mitt Reusable Glove
Sooo soft
Sunny Honey Soft Velvet Self Tan Mitt - Coco & Eve | Ulta Beauty
Great option!
Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Application Mitt For Self Tanners, Streak-Free Sunless Tanning Glove
Very aesthetically pleasing and good quality
EcoTools Good Tan Full-Body Tanning Mitt
A soft blending brush that helps you blend self tanner evenly on hands and feet for a smooth streak free finish
EcoTools Good Tan Body + Face Self-Tan Blending Brush
Again perfect for tricky areas! Helps soften lines on hands, feet, knees, and elbows
Ultimate Tan Body Brush - St. Tropez
Perfect for those hard to reach spots! This applicator makes self tanning your back smooth and easy every time
Back Tan Applicator - Coco & Eve
Body Tanners
This is where the magic happens! I’ve used so many tanners over the years, and the ones I recommend are my absolute favorites. They range from quick express tans for when you’re in a rush, to deeper, long-lasting bronzes for that perfect sun-kissed g...
My current fav! The perfect bronze
DARK Salon Quality Self Tanning Foam - Bondi Sands
A rich mousse that gives you a natural, bronzed glow
MEDIUM Deluxe Self Tanning Mousse - Loving Tan
The prettiest natural finish
MEDIUM Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam - Coco & Eve
10/10 for a natural and deep bronze tan!!!
ULTRA DARK Streak Free Self Tanning Mousse - Bali Body
Get that sun-kissed glow in just 1 hour
DARK 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam - Bondi Sands
Coconut scented bronze that hydrates
Express 1 Hour Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam - Bondi Sands
Build your perfect tan! Wash off after 1 hour
Express Self Tan Bronzing Mousse - St. Tropez
One of my favs for a natural tan
Salon Quality Self Tanning Foam Liquid Gold - Bondi Sands
Great drugstore option!
DEEP Bronze Natural Glow Instant Sun Mousse
Face Tanners
Your face deserves special love too! I’ve tried so many face tanners, and these are the ones that give a natural, radiant glow without feeling heavy or clogging pores. Some build slowly for an everyday glow, and some give an instant bronzed effect. I...
Bronzing serum that adds a sheer warm glow while nourishing skin with peptides and antioxidants
D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops with Peptides - Drunk Elephant
Lightweight face mist that gradually builds a natural bronzed glow with no transfer and no streaks
Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist - St. Tropez
Instant radiant glow that enhances your natural complexion
Insta Glow Illuminating Face Bronzer - Tanologist
Mix into your moisturizer for a natural bronzed glow
Medium Face + Body Self Tan Drops - Tanologist
A lightweight facial tanning mist that gives a natural sun-kissed glow while nourishing skin with antioxidants
Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist - Coco & Eve
Customizable self-tan drops you can mix into your moisturizer for a natural sun-kissed glow on your face
MEDIUM Self-Tan Face Drops - Isle of Paradise
Buildable bronzing drops that let you control your color while keeping your skin looking fresh and even
N°12 Self Tanning Face Drops - Lux Unfiltered
A lightweight face serum that gives a natural bronzed glow while nourishing skin
St. Tropez Sunlit Skin Bronzing Tint and Self Tan Face Serum
Everyday Tanners
For days when you just want a subtle, healthy glow, gradual tanners are my go-to. I’ve been using them for years to maintain color in between deeper tans. They hydrate your skin while slowly building color, so you can stay bronzed every day without l...
Lightweight gradual tanning moisturizer that slowly builds a natural, bronzed glow while keeping skin soft and hydrated. Perfect for daily use!
Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk Body Moisturizer - Bondi Sands
Daily self tanning body lotion that gradually builds a natural bronze while moisturizing and helping skin feel firmer
Fair to Medium Natural Glow Skin Firming Daily Moisturizer + Sunless Self Tanning Body Lotion - Jergens
Hydrating gradual tan lotion that builds a natural bronzed glow while keeping skin soft and moisturized
Hydrating Gradual Tan Lotion - Fair/Medium - Tanologist
Self-Tan Kits
If you’re new or just love convenience, these kits are perfect. I’ve tried several, and the ones I recommend include everything you need—tools, tanners, and instructions—so you can get a professional-looking, streak-free tan at home. Kits make the wh...
My go-to tanner and mitt!
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam + Mitt Set
Tempting you to double up on tanner and a new mitt
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam + Mitt Set
Great option for new tanner!
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Bundle
LOVE ANYTHING CHERRY
Cherry Macaron Self Tan and Body Mist Set - St. Tropez
Perfect for olive undertones
Self Tan Supreme Violet 2 Piece Kit - St. Tropez
10/10 set
Award Winning 3 Piece Self Tan Kit - St. Tropez
Another great starter kit!
Dark Self Tan Travel Kit - Coco & Eve
Anything Bondi Sands, I love!!!
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam + Mitt Set
Post-Tan Care
Keeping your glow fresh is just as important as applying it. I’ve learned that moisturizing daily and gentle exfoliation between tans is key to making color last longer and fade evenly. Post-tan care keeps your skin soft, hydrated, and glowing, and i...
Just picked this up and love it! Helps your tanner dry quickly so you can get dressed without worrying about smudges or streaks
Post Tan Drying Powder - Dolce Glow
Lock in your self-tanner and speed up drying with this lightweight setting powder
Self Tan Drying Powder Kit - Vegan Talc-Free
You can protect your bedding and stay with this roomy breathable sac designed to let your tan set overnight
Tan Fan Self Tan Sleep Sac - Keeps Sheets Clean