I have been on an endless hunt for the best self tanners for face and body since high school. For years, I’ve been hopping around from self tanner to self tanner just buying whatever I could find on sale or whatever I saw in a magazine was the newest and best one to try. But now, I have found my holy grail! These two are the best self tanners I have found hands down. I’m not kidding you when I say that people literally comment on how tan I look when I put these on…wait for it…after 1-2 applications!
With a lot of self-tanners you have to wait weeks to build up a color that’s even noticeable. Not with these babies! The Clarins self-tanner was recommended to me by my friend Claire a few years ago. It costs around $30 but it has lasted me for years. You simply pour a little bit on a cotton pad and swipe it over your face and décolleté  after your daily moisturizer and then apply your make up as usual. The color develops pretty quickly and within 30 minutes your beautiful face is glowing. It shows immediately but does take a while to build to stay on for a while after washing your face, etc.
The Banana Boat was recommended to me last summer by a Pure Barre client and I have been using it faithfully ever since. I like it because it’s no muss, no fuss. I usually apply it right after the shower about 2 times per week, wait about 5 minutes while I’m putting product on my hair or face and then throw on my clothes. Cuz ain’t nobody got time for waiting 20 minutes to get dressed in the morning! It goes on smoothly and doesn’t even stink the way most self-tanners do! Color me impressed! Another great thing about this product is that even if you forget to apply it a few times, the color stays even after showers and such. The Banana Boat can be found at Target for around $6 or you can purchase either of the products below from my widget. (I get a small percentage of affiliate sales.)
When we went to Tampa last week, I didn’t get to put on a bathing suit once because it was so cloudy and rainy, but after using my Banana Boat, when I came back people kept commenting on the sun I got in Tampa…ha! These two products are now staples in my beauty routine.
What are your favorite self tanners?
Hey girl! I am in LOVE with this self tanner… http://www.sephora.com/self-tan-bronzing-mousse-P261322?icid2=St._Tropez_Tanning_Essentials_Must_Haves%20_P261322_image
be sure to by the mit that goes with it tho, otherwise you will have stained hands!
but it works miracles!!
P
Author
Paige, you are always so tan so that’s great to know. Thanks for passing along. I could pick your brain on beauty products all day. 🙂
Good to know! I have had a few fails! hhahaha
Author
Ugh, that’s the worst!
I could use this right now! I’m so “white” from being inside for the past couple of weeks with our new baby, lol! Thanks for sharing!
Shauna @ The Best Blog Recipes
I have been searching for the right self tanners that go on smoothly and don’t stink!
Question- how do you keep the banana boat from staining your hands?
Author
Hi Sarah!
I just wash my hands right after applying. Thanks so much for leaving a comment and let me know what you think if you get it!
Bought the Clarins today, will let you know how it goes! Thanks again for the tip!
I love this! Going to try this for sure! I use one of those tinted lotions in the winter to avoid looking so deathly pale. I don’t notice it until I look at pictures and see that I actually do have a little color!