Ulta.com

Fake It Till You Make It

Nix the tanning booth—get a golden, summer-ready tan that isn't damaging to your skin

Summer is on its way, and for many, the change in season means revealing that pasty white winter skin that hasn't seen the light of day in what feels like years. Yikes.

Getting a head start with an-all over sunny (and healthy) glow is the best way to ready yourself for sundresses and swimsuits. We're talking about a tan, but not the sun-induced variety or the fake-bake, carrot-colored hue. A sunless tan is not the orange-tinted, chemical-smelling experience of the past. Today's products look more natural on your skin, are easier to apply and smell a whole lot better.

Tips for Applying
The key to a streak-free, natural hue is all in the technique used to apply the product:

First and foremost, you need to exfoliate your body from head to toe using an exfoliant agent in the shower. This will ensure an even application by getting rid of dry patches.
Whatever formula of self-tanner you use, go lightly over areas of your skin that naturally tend to be darker, such as your elbows, knees and ankles. Otherwise, these parts will look tanner than the rest of you.
To get the most natural look, only cover areas of the body that get sun exposure. For example, you wouldn't want to use tanner underneath your forearms, an area which usually never sees the sun.
Read the directions to see how long you need to let the product dry before wearing clothing. And don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly after applying self-tanner so that your palms won't darken.

Four Kinds to Try
There are many different types of formulas on the market. Here, a guide to the four most common:

Overnight. These lotions work while you sleep and intensify color overnight. Try Sun Tan Overnight Instant Self Tanning Lotion. It delivers instant, medium-toned color that darkens with time. Formulated with hazelnut, pecan oils, aloe and vitamin E, the lotion infuses skin with extra hydration. Just smooth it evenly over your face and body.

Airbrush. This is spa-quality color that's applied via professional airbrush in the comfort of your home. Try Luminess Complete Personal Airbrush Tanning System. UV-free color at its best, the system does not dye your skin. It works with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin to produce a natural-looking tan that lasts up to 14 days. The tanning kit includes enough for 10 full body tans or 30 spot tans. It takes about 30 minutes to apply, but the results are worth the wait.

Towelettes. Each towelette is infused with a nonstreaking tanning formula, so all you need to do is swipe and let dry. Try ULTA Body Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Towelettes. These premoistened towelettes deliver a healthy glow with ease. Simply wipe the towelette generously over the areas you want to tan. For deeper color, let the first application thoroughly dry and then reapply.

Gradual. Essentially a moisturizer with just a hint of tint, this type of tanner works slowly to build natural color the more you use it. The results give you subtle color that looks natural. Try L'Oreal Body Expertise Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer. This luxe lotion is formulated with mango butter, sweet almond oil and vitamin E to smooth, soften and revitalize skin for a healthy bronze radiance. Light-capturing micropearls give your skin luminosity. Use it after your shower, on dry skin, and then make sure the lotion is completely dry before getting dressed.

Written by Jennifer Tzeses

Jennifer is a self-proclaimed “beauty junkie” who has covered makeup, haircare, skincare and spa trends as an editor of such magazines as Health, Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Parenting and Woman's Day. She is currently on a quest to find the perfect pinky-brown shade of lip gloss that gives her lips the right amount of color and sparkle without feeling tacky or getting caught in her hair!