We all know the dangers that the sun can cause to our skin. SPF 30 or higher with UVA/UVB protection is a must, but what about the golden glow we all desire? The days of “Oompa Loompa orange” are gone and the market has become very competitive for the most natural looking tan without the streaks and smell. We decided to put a few highly rated products to the test.
St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse ($42):
First and foremost, there’s one small detail left off the instructions- use gloves! Our hands and nails were stained brown for two days. Other than that, the color turned out really nice and lasted about 4 days. The smell wasn’t too bad but definitely noticeable despite the “refreshing” fragrance it claims to have. The mousse is tinted so you can see where you’re applying to prevent streaks. Apply quickly… it dries into place fast! We mixed a bit of lotion with the mousse when it was time to reapply and it seems to distribute more evenly.
Jergens Natural Glow “3 Days to Glow” Moisturizer ($10):
Having used Jergens self-tanner products in the past, we were excited to see how this one was different. Doubling as a moisturizer, the color builds and achieves maximum tone at day 3. The sticker said “great color without odor” which proved to be partly true. We could see a faint tan building as soon as day 1, but did notice that self-tanner smell. By day 3, the color was great and looked very natural. Not a bad option for the price if you don’t need immediate results.
Supergoop Mousse with SPF ($38):
We liked the sound of this product because it has a built in SPF 20- perfect for day time use and skin cancer protection. The color builds with a few days and didn’t leave any stains on our clothes like other lotions. The mousse was also very light and moisturizing, but the smell was not so great. Also, it’s not waterproof, so reapplication is necessary if you use this as a pool or beach sunscreen. A little disappointing for the price.
Tarte Brazilliance ($36):
I think we have a winner! Since we’re a fan of Tarte makeup, we thought we’d give this top rated product a whirl. Brazilliance comes with a blending mitt so you don’t have to worry about uneven application. The color you apply is the color you get- a golden bronze that lasted about 5 days. Also, the smell was unlike any self tanner we’re experienced- like vanilla and honey. Definitely worth every penny!
