It seemed like it was winter just last week, but here in Vegas, it’s now already 100 degrees out, which means it’s shorts, tank top, and flip flop weather. As much as I now pride myself on being ghostly white (because I like to think it tells the world I’m smart - well at least about sun protection), I look better with a tan!

Get the perfect self-tan
It’s now possible to get a perfect self-tan that looks natural, and not the least bit orange. Here’s an article about 10 tips for the perfect self-tan. However, I’ve found I just don’t have the patience to do all the steps necessary to get an instant fake tan that looks streak-free and natural, and I definitely don’t have the patience to maintain my high-maintenance fake tan all summer long. Even when I’ve tried my hardest at using self-tanners, I inevitably end up with a few dark splotches. I know practice makes perfect, but I don’t care enough to master using regular self-tanners.

Self-tanner moisturizers
Luckily, self-tanner moisturizers came out a few years ago, and they are easy to apply, and hard to mess up. They give you a subtle tan, and you can gradually darken your skin with daily applications. I’ve tried Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, Neutrogena Build-A-Tan, and a few other self-tanner moisturizers. They work fine, but the problem is that I hate the smell!

Every self-tanner moisturizer I’ve tried smells sour and horrible to me. Almost every regular drugstore self-tanner also smells horrible. I haven’t caved and tried department store self-tanners, because all self-tanners contain the same main ingredient, and I would rather be a ghost than to pay for expensive tanning products.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee
I picked up this product last summer, and found out it actually smells almost good to me! It’s the only drugstore self-tanner that doesn’t smell sour and rancid, and it barely has that tell-tale self-tanner scent. The problem is that it’s a regular self-tanner (not a subtle moisturizer) so it’s hard to apply evenly if you are like me and haven’t mastered the perfect tan application.

However, I’ve found a great trick. I mix equal parts of this product with my favorite body moisturizer in my hands, and then apply it that way. As long as I rub it in really well, I get a subtle tan without any of the hassles. Then I apply it every day, or every other day. Make sure to wash your hands after you apply it! I like being able to use whatever moisturizer I want, especially since I’ve found ones that smell good and work well, and this doesn’t really interfere with their scent. I’ve only seen this product come in Medium-Deep or Deep shades, which both work fine for me. You can experiment with how much of this to mix with your moisturizer, depending on your skin color.

The L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee has alcohol as one of its main ingredients. Normally I hate skin care products that contain alcohol because they unnecessarily dry out your skin. However, when it’s super hot and sticky outside, and you’re sweating up a storm, it really doesn’t matter that your self-tanner is a bit drying. Also, since you’re mixing it with a moisturizer, that pretty much takes care of the problem. I have found the Jergens Daily Moisturizer feels sticky on my skin when I get hot. The L’Oreal Sublime Bronze, mixed with body moisturizer, feels smooth and hydrated, and not sticky at all. The best of both worlds!

Self-Tanners For Face
For my face, I need to use self-tanners that don’t contain pore-cloggers. Currently I rotate between these two face self-tanners.

What’s your favorite body self-tanning product?