I have been trying any and all self tanner that I could get my hands on. I personally love the ones that give you a deep tan on the first application. I consider myself pretty much pro on choosing self tanners and applications. I have been using them for YEARS now. I’m very picky about the ones that I use.
I tried every single one of these self tanner list below – the WHOLE bottle. I wanted to be able to give honest thoughts on every one and be very thorough so this blog post could really help you. I will also say that there are some (popular) ones that I didn’t try because I have before and I already knew that I wouldn’t like them. So these are ones that I either already loved or wanted to try.
Now let’s get into the self tanners…
1. LOVING TAN
If you have been here for a minute then you already know, this is my all time favorite self tanner. I choose this one more often than ANY other. It’s the best one and my favorite. If I had to pick one forever, this would be it. This stuff dries almost instantly and it does transfer but washes out! Loving tan can last me anywhere from 5-7 days just depending. It gives a very deep color on the first application & that color is in 2 HOURS….like what?!! I don’t think that there is much of a smell to this one. I could go on and on about why I love this kind. || PRICE $42
PROS || Dries very quickly, amazing color, long lasting
CONS || A little expensive, color transfer
Overall Rating – 10/10
2. FAKE BAKE – Spray Bottle
Another tried and true self tanner. I’ve been using this product for a couple years and you can’t beat it. It’s great quality and lasts awhile. This self tanner does give you VERY dark tan on the first application and doesn’t rinse off after the first shower. Fake Bake goes on really well and I’ve never had it be streaky. || PRICE $26
PROS || Price point and the tan lasts about 6-7 days, dries fast.
CONS || It is kind of messy since it has a spray bottle.
*Side note – I have found this is cheaper to purchase from Amazon*
Overall Rating – 9/10
FAKE BAKE – Mousse
I don’t think I’ve ever hit ‘add to cart’ faster than when I saw Fake Bake had a mousse. I will say that it gives you a very pretty color and I don’t think it has much of a scent. Fake Bake Mousse is very easy application, develops nice and not streaky. This specific one does seem to make you feel “damp” for awhile so you can’t really apply right before bed. || PRICE $31
PROS || Not much of scent, price & gives a good color.
CONS || Tan only lasts for about 3 days and it transfers onto your sheets BAD.
Overall Rating – 7/10
3. BONDI SANS – Mousse
I really liked a lot of things about this product! The smell is amazing honestly, it smells like coconut and makes you think of being on the beach. The color turns out SO nice, you end up dark brown tan that looks natural. The downside is that the tan only lasts for a few days. Application is easy and it dries in under 20ish minutes. || PRICE $24
PROS || The SMELL, it’s like coconut and the beach + color + fast drying
CONS || Tan only lasts for about 3 days
Overall Rating – 8/10
BONDI SANS – Tanning Milk
Where to start…. well I would not recommend using this product by itself but it is nice to add on top of your self tanner. It extends the last of your tan and is pretty moisturizing. The smell doesn’t bother me too much but I could see how some people might not like it. It does give you more of that “glow” than just self tanner. But I really like that it dries fast, doesn’t transfer and isn’t sticky. || PRICE $19
PROS || Extends time of tan, very moisturizing, good color
CONS || Smell is not the best, have to scrub hands to not be orange
Overall Rating – 6/10
4. TAN LUXE FACE & BODY DROPS
The holy grail face & body drops, Tan-Luxe! These drops are far more hydrating that the Isle of Paradise drops but these give you a much better color in my opinion. A little bit of this product goes a very long way but it’s very effective. These also don’t seem to irritate my skin or make your pores look worse. The color payoff is better + last longer. I mix The Face drops with my moisturizer and The Body drops with baby lotion. || PRICE $49-59
PROS || Good color, long lasting, no breakouts
CONS || Scent, price tag, takes a bit to dry
Overall Rating – 8/10
5. ISLE OF PARADISE – Mousse
This is probably going to be the worst review of them all because I absolutely hated this product. This Isle of Paradise Clear Mousse was a total flop for me. It legitimately makes you orange looking and it smells gosh awful. It also came out super streaky since there is no color gaurd and took ages to dry. Even after I thought it was dry, it was still very sticky until I washed off. It also faded immediately after rinsing off. || PRICE $29
PROS || Doesn’t come off on your sheets
CONS || Everything except the above statement…lol
Overall Rating – 1/10
Isle of Paradise – Self Tanning Drops
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops did really well with these drops. It’s really nice to be able to control the color on your own. Gives your face a perfect little glow but I have found that it can be very sticky. These mix VERY well with the Isle of Paradise Body Butter for a little added color. I do prefer the Tan Luxe Face drops over these.
PROS || Good color, no scent, mixes well with the body butter
CONS || Have to wash your hands VERY thoroughly or they will be orange & it’s a little bit sticky
Overall Rating – 6/10
Isle of Paradise – Self Tanning Butter
Isle of Paradise Body Butter is dang good. It doesn’t rub off on your sheets or clothes but creates a warm glow. It’s also very moisturizing! If you want a more intense tan, you could add some of the Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops for a deeper color. I do recommend using a mitt to apply this, I have found it just makes it easier to blend. || PRICE $45
PROS || Not streaky, moisturizing, good color, extends tan time
CONS || Dry time, not available many places, pricey
Overall Rating – 8/10
6. GET TAN AGAIN
I wanted to love this product so much but it is not my favorite. It is dark on first application but it completely rinsed off after the first rinse. The tan only lasted about 2-3 days. Also, if you decide to try this one – I will say that it is strange because you do keep it in the fridge so it’s always SO cold. The solution is super nice, but just didn’t work for me. || PRICE $45
PROS || Good application, nice solution and super fast shipping
CONS || Sticky, doesn’t dry fast, rinses all off after first application, not long lasting
Overall Rating 4/10
7. L’OREAL SUBLIME BRONZE
I know – self tanning water mousse (not my highest rating earlier in this post) but this one is a whole different game! First, let me tell you this one smells amazing and is extremely hydrating. This mousse does not get on your sheets & dries super quickly! Plus the color is very nice and it’s very natural. Now – will all the positives being said, I do use this as a buildable self tanner. Example, on Sunday I will use my main self tanner (most likely Loving Tan) then throughout the week, I will apply this on top to keep a good color. Basically, if you like a very, light natural tan.. use this one! || PRICE $12
PROS || Dries quick, smells amazing, no transfer, super affordable
CONS || Not super dark on first application
Overall Rating 8/10
8. Ulta Express Tan Mousse
Let me start by saying that this product is the most similar to my favorite, Loving Tan. The smell is a bit more like just spray tan smell but easy to apply. I do think that it takes longer to dry and the color is not quite as deep. I do love how affordable the Ulta Express Tan Mousse is + they almost always have them BOGO. The color guard is also nice to be able to see where you might have missed. In my opinion though, this tan does not last near as long. || PRICE $13
PROS || Price, color, application
CONS || Scent, not long lasting
Overall Rating 8/10
So there it is, LOTS of different self tanners and why I love or don’t love them. I have tried SO many and this one is still my favorite and works best with my skin! Stay tuned for my next blog post where I share my routine and how I apply.
