Pack your bag, sarong and sunglasses, we’re headed to the pool! We’ve been safely indoors for the better part of the year and our tans are basically non-existent. A sun-kissed glow is not just for the fairer skin types. Brown girls love to tan too, and adding a luminous glow takes our melanin to another level.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sunbathe for hours on end to achieve your summer tan. Self-tanners are a great way to give our skin a glowing look all year round without the sun damage.
Finding a self tanner that compliments brown skin can be daunting as traditionally, these products were not made for us.
But don’t worry, we’ve done the work for you. Check out these recommendations for some of the best self tanners for brown skin.
6 Self Tanners To Get Your Glow On This Summer
First up is L’Oreal Sublime Pearlized Sunless Lotion- This lotion applies streak-free and, according to L’oreal, provides an instant natural looking tan.
Formulated with Vitamin E, this self tanning lotion gives you the glow you need within 2-4 hours. The darkest shade is Deep, and it retails at Target for $10.99
We all know Fenty is inclusive with their shade ranges, and the Body Sauce doesn’t miss.
Fenty describes this product as a lightweight gel that blends into the skin, leaving a sunkissed, healthy glow.
This comes in 7 shades and retails for $48 on the Fenty Beauty website. Pair this Body Sauce with the Body Lava for some extra razzle dazzle.
St. Tropez is a classic when it comes to self tanning products. Their Self Tan Dark Bronzing Mousse applies without streaking, giving you a long lasting bronzed finish.
This only takes one application and darkens over a couple of hours. St. Tropez recommends applying this with their tanning application mitt for maximum effect. This retails at Sephora for $44
NARS is known for their classic makeup products, but they also have one of the best self tanning body oils in the game. The Monoi Body Glow is a lightweight, sheer oil with a touch of shimmer that gives your skin a “just got off the yacht” glow.
This is a bit pricey, retailing at $59, but a little goes a long way. Coconut oil is the main ingredient in this product, so be careful if that is something you’re adverse to. This can be found on both Ulta and Sephora.
Next is a more budget-friendly option from Banana Boat. The Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion in the shade Deep-Dark retails for just $10.99 from Walgreens.
This streak free lotion lets you control the depth of your tan and is quick drying so it won’t stain your clothes. A little of this also goes a long way, so if you’re new to self tanning, do a patch test first.
Last on the list is the Flawless Darker Self Tan Liquid from Fake Bake. This spray on tanner gives a deep, dark tan without the mess and streaks. This liquid spray comes with an application mitt for easier application.
This spray tan stays on after showering, so it gives you a guide on how much more you’ll need to achieve your desired look. Shop this self tanner from Ulta for $32.
Finally, some tips for applying your self tanner. Make sure you exfoliate first before you apply the product. Also, doing a patch test on your arm or leg will give you a good idea of the shade of the product. This will also help in testing for any reactions to the ingredients.
Many self tanners have fragrance, so if you have a sensitive nose, test out a couple before going all in. Wearing a self tanner does not mean skipping out on your sunscreen; make sure to protect yourself with your daily dose of SPF.
We hope this was a helpful guide, happy self-tanning!
Tell us- do you have a favorite self-tanning product? Will you be self-tanning this summer?
