I’m obsessed with being tan, and I don’t care who knows it! In all seriousness, though, there’s something about being bronze and glow-y that instills a sense of confidence in me like nothing else can. That said, maintaining my glow can get a bit pricey (and, I should add, despite my love for bronze skin, I have never ever entered a tanning bed, and you shouldn’t either). Here’s the good news: A second round of Amazon Prime Day has arrived and it’s stocked with some of my favorite self-tanning products. Shop three self-tanners below that will get you tan, stat.
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The Express Route: St. Tropez The Express Mousse
As is the case for many many, St. Tropez is the brand that taught me how to self-tan. The Express Mousse is great for when you need a tan fast and don’t have the time to let it develop overnight. I apply the lightweight formula with a self-tanning mitt in circular motions, evenly distributing the product to my skin. The pigment shows up right away, so I use it as a color guide during application. The part that makes it “express” is that you can customize your tan—the longer you leave it on, the darker your skin will be. I leave this self-tanner on for two hours before rinsing for a golden hue that screams “I just left the beach.”
The Traditional Route: Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam
After using the Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam, I understand why it’s a best-seller on Amazon. The application process is super easy, and the formula absorbs quickly into my skin (dry time was minimal here!). Like the St. Tropez, the pigment shows up immediately, so the color guided my application. I leave this self-tanner on overnight to develop, which is scary when you’re like me and have white sheets—but fear not, no transfer was found. It also doesn’t have that polarizing self-tan smell. If anything, it actually has a rather pleasant coconut scent infused in its formula along with hydrating aloe and glycerin—so my skin is just as hydrated as it is tan.
The Traditional Route: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
The Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer did just win a 2024 Best of Beauty award… but if you need more proof that it’s the ultimate drugstore pickup, listen up. This texture is so creamy and moisturizing; after all, it’s literally self-tanner-infused body lotion, so if you have dry skin like me, this might be the pick for you. To apply, I use my hands (since it’s more of a lotion than th mousse’s above) and work it into my body (and immediately wash my hands afterward, because the last thing I want is orange palms). Since this is a gradual self-tanner, it’s going to take days of application to see that tan some through—but once it does, trust the glow will have been worth the wait.
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