Top 10 Self-Tanners for a Perfect Faux Glow.

There is only one safe way to get a beautiful golden tan and that is with a self-tanner. There are a lot of self-tanners out there, but when you want the perfect faux glow, you need to reach for the best. With so many lotions, creams, sprays and mousse varieties to choose from, it is hard to know where to start. 

I am a big fan of self-tanners and use them regularly to achieve my perfect faux glow. In trying to find the "perfect" one, I have tested plenty self-tanners. Today, a good self-tanner will deliver believable color that lasts. All of these self-tanners that I have listed below deliver, flawless, streak-free tans; I have tested each one personally and recommend them all for the perfect faux glow. 

Each year, I bring you a list of my favorite self-tanners and every year there are duplicates because some of these self-tanners really are that good. There are new entries and discoveries so the list is updated too. If there is a self-tanner that you use and swear by, please let me know about it in the comments. I am always open to trying something new.

1. Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse
This self-tanner is extremely long-lasting and lasts the longest on me (or anyone that I know). The brand claims that it lasts 2-3 weeks, but you must follow the directions to get it to last. I notice fading around a week to ten days but still have traces of self-tanner on my legs after two weeks. It is not overly scented and the color is believable and beautiful. I highly recommend buying the mitt if you don't buy the kit that comes with the mitt.

2. Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel
This gel is fast-drying making it perfect for wearing under makeup or skin care. Not only does it develop into an even tan fast (in as little as 30 minutes) it is made with moisturizing ingredients so skin is nourished too.

3. tarte Brazilliance™ PLUS+ Self-Tanner + Mitt
This tinted bronze gel helps guide you as you apply so you are assured an even, streak free faux glow. The tan this one gives is dark, yet natural looking, and it nourishes the skin with its skin loving ingredients that includes natural exfoliators. Brazilliance™ PLUS+ contains a special scent technology that blocks out that tell-tall self-tanner scent which is a plus. It develops in about four hours. I like this for my legs.

4. Jergens Natural Glow FACE Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen
I use this self-tanner every other night (on my face) about an hour before I put on my night time moisturizer. The result is very natural looking and gradual as it is meant to be. It comes in a Fair to Medium or Medium to Dark shades.

5. Beautisol Self-Tanning Mousse
This tinted self-tanner has no self tanning scent whatsoever. It is super easy to apply (with a mitt), dries quick to ensure there is no streaking and it delivers a very even, believable shade of golden brown.

6. Clarins Self-Tanning Milky Lotion
I was so excited to see this because anything Clarins with milky and self-tanning is usually awesome and this one is! This self-tanner melts quickly into the skin leaving it feeling super smooth and hydrated. It does not feel like you have a self-tanner on; it feels more like a luxurious body lotion. It is scented with that of figs mixed with self-tanner but it is worth it for the glorious color that develops. It can be used on both the face or body and should be applied at bedtime at it takes time for this one to develop. The color on this one lasts a good five days and color is pretty rich on first application.

7. St. Tropez Self Tan Dark Bronzing Mousse
This foaming mousse develops into a very deep, dark rich self-tan overnight. This self-tanner dries fast which is a plus when wanting to hop right into bed. The color lasts about five days before fading and it looks natural.

8. L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum
This is a fast drying self-tanning serum that leaves a beautiful golden glow on the skin once it develops. It lasts up to two weeks! When applied three days in a row, I do get a believable faux tan that lasts for about ten days before fading. This is a really unique self-tanner and perfect for the face.

9. Lancome Flash Bronzer
This bronze tinted self-tanning gel is perfect for when I need my legs darkened up fast. Color is even and streak-free, delivering a perfect faux-glow in 30 - 60 minutes.

10. Karora Express Bronzing Mousse Self-Tanner
This self-tanner is a foamy mousse with a color guide that applies with ease. I apply it with a mitt for an even, streak free faux glow. It dries within a few minutes, and the wonderful lemon smell goes away as soon as it dries. You need to shower to rinse off and stop color development. After one hour, you are left with a nice light faux tan. The longer you leave it on, up to three hours, the darker your tan. This needs to be washed off after three hours. No matter how long you leave it on, the color is even, streak-free and believable.

A press sample of the products featured have been provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in the post. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.