Living in South Florida, I know a fabulous tan is always in season. Which kind of sucks for me since I try not to get too much sun. I am constantly slathering on the sunscreen while wearing those SPF shirts… you get the idea. I do look way better with a tan, especially in the warmer months when I rock more shorts and sleeveless tops. The problem is I HATE getting spray tans and using self tanner. They all smell funny and I can’t stand the sitting around part while I wait for the tans to take. (and don’t bother chiming in with your, “but such and such brand of self tanner has no smell” because I have tried them ALL and they all stink. Maybe I just have smelly skin chemistry)
In my quest for the perfect and easy tan, I have tried dozens of instant tanning lotions and sprays… and I now have 4 go-to options that I thought I would share if you also happen to hate self-tanners, or just decide at the last minute that a bronze goddess look is needed. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase somethingI get a small commission, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra.
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs: I have been using the spray version of this for YEARS. A news anchor introduced me to it and I have been hooked ever since. (& now many of my close friends also use it since I spray them down every time I see them in shorts. ha!) This makes your legs look perfect. You can match your skin color or grab a deeper shade to give yourself an instant tan. I have found the best way to apply this is to spray a line up part of my leg and then quickly blend it in with my hands. Don’t try to do your whole leg in one spray since you won’t be able to evenly rub it in before it dries. Recently they came out with a lotion version of this and I think I actually like it a tiny bit better since it is easier to use. (& I can use this on my arms as well, the spray was a bit too drying for my arms, it looked a little funny) The best part about this is once you put it on… it will not come off unless you scrub it with soap and water. Once dry, it will not rub off, sweat off or even swim off… I wear this stuff to the beach!
L’oreal Body Makeup: This product is fairly new, but since I ALWAYS buy any kind of new body makeup/instant bronzer when I see it… I decided to give it a try and it has quickly become my go-to. This is really easy to apply and the color is perfect. (definitely a more noticeable tan look) This also has proven itself to be sweat-proof, but I haven’t gone swimming with it yet.
Hard Candy Glow All the Way (Bronze): I have talked about this lotion before, and my obsession with it lives on. This is an amazing, shimmery bronze lotion for when you want to step up the sexy factor. It has such a subtle sheen to it, giving you an awesome glowy look. I use this on its own or on top of one of the other bronzing lotions. The main problem with this is that it rubs off fairly easily. So clothes, couches, children… everything is fair game to walk away with a bit of your shimmery bronze goodness. It is so pretty though, it is worth the risk for me every once in awhile.
Do you have a favorite instant bronzing product? Do tell!!
I am in desperate need of some color! Going to try some of these out! Thanks for sharing.
I actually just saw some instant bronzers on sale and was going to research them more. This post was super timely because this pale girl needs some fake tan before we head down to your neck of the woods in a couple weeks 🙂
These are all awesome! Start with the Sally Hansen lotion version, it is the easiest to apply and you can build the color.
I used to get a bronzing lotion at the beauty supply store with my mom, she’s a hairdresser. I can’t remember the name, I’ll have to find it for you!
My all time fav used to come from Sally Beauty but they dont sell it anymore. I bet your mom has some awesome recs!
I’ve had horrible record with finding good bronzers. This is a list I needed! My skin is more likely to burn than tan outside.
These will make your legs look amazing and the Sally Hansen line comes in a variety of shades 🙂
I’ve actually never tried bronzer. I so suck at makeup!! Lol I need lessons. These look easy even for me!
I suck at makeup too, but these are just for your arms and legs to give you an instant tan, that you can wash off at night! 🙂
AHH! You’re reading my mind up her in Connecticut!! I just bought the Jergen’s natural glow the other day and have a thing of the Sally’s spray. Your tip for that probably explains why it didn’ come out right for me last time. I DID attempt the whole leg!!
haha yes I did that the first time too!! I also sometimes spray it right onto my hand then rub it on my leg. 🙂
Perfect timing! I was at the store today and completely overwhelmed by all the choices. Going to try the Sally Hansen airbrush now!
it is the best! It will not budge either until you scrub it off with soap and water!
I love the Sally Hansen one. I got to try it as part of a promotion, and I was hooked. I burn pretty easily, so no natural tans for me. I’ll have to try that Hard Candy one for when me and my husband get a date night.
The hard candy one is awesome! (and I think it costs like 6 or 7 bucks and lasts forever!) It makes your skin look so pretty, but I just wish it didnt rub off on things so easily!
I seriously need to pick up some new bronzer. I was using one that I picked up at Walmart which was really good. I wish I remembered the name of it. But, it goes on like a lotion and the more you use it the lotion gradually deepens the tan. Which was kind of nice.
Yes that sounds like a self tanner.. the gradual ones even smell funny on me! These are instant tan, then they wash off in the shower 🙂
The Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is one of my favorite tanning products. I also love Jergens Natural Glow, but use that mostly in the early fall. Thanks for the other suggestions! I’ll have to check them out.
Everyone swears by jergens natural glow, but I swear I can smell it! haha! But yes the SH is the best instant tan!
This is great! I’ll have to try one of these out next time I head to target. I just got the Sephora bronzing sampler kit – so hopefully I’ll be able to find something I love for this summer!
Cool I will need to check that out! 🙂
The Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs sounds great!
It is the original! I have been using it forever and it always works so good!
I’m so nervous to try at home bronzers, but these sound pretty good! I might actually try one out… Hope it works out well!h
These are really easy to use and if you dont like how they turn out you can just wash them off! 🙂
i love a good instant bronzer and you have some AWESOME picks. my very favorite one (by Benefit) was discontinued a few years back. I’ll have to check out these!
Dont you hate that? I feel like every product I LOVE ends up getting discontinued! ha!
Omg I am also obsessed with Hard Candy Glow!!! I have been using it for years. I will sometimes buy other tanning lotions but they just never compare.
Me too!! I just wish it didnt wipe off so easily! There was a similar formula I used to get from Sally Beauty Supply but they stopped making it. That one didnt come off!
Thank you for all of the different options!! Do you think this would work good to help even out a tan?? Like to fill in harsh tan lines from tanks etc?
I think if you use one of the creams all over it would help make the tan lines look less harsh for sure. I wouldnt just try to fill in the pale spots, since that would be tough to make look natural. 🙂
I’ve tried the sally hansen one.. I liked it.
Both the Sally ones are my go-to since they do not come off for ANYTHING!
oooooh thanks for this post! I used to be really into insta bronzers but kind of got away from it! the brand matters so much thanks for updating me!
It is such a fast and easy way to fake a tan! I am obsessed! 🙂
I have never found a tanner that I like. This list is great! Now that it’s starting to get sunny here, a tan would look good. Because like you, I always slather on the sunscreen.
Even just a little on legs only makes such a difference! And NO wait time or orange tint!
I have the same pasty leg problem! I love the loreal spray on leg bronzer but I’m excited to look for some of these other products!
Get the Sally Hansen lotion first.. you will love it! It does NOT come off!
So, I don’t have a favorite bronzing lotion, I’m a runner and have a year-round tan from being outside (minus my constant “sock feet,” shorts tan and the white watch that will never go away ;-)), but I LOVE Jane Iredale powder-me SPF sunscreen in tanned, which ALSO doubles as a bronzer. And it has a cute little mirror on top.
good to know! I have tons of face bronzers!! You can never have too many!
Girl…you are speaking my language. I’m all about the bronzers (especially for my legs!) I love the Sally Hansen Airbrush Spray for special nights out! 🙂
I’m a bridesmaid this weekend and our dresses are light peach. Do you think the SH lotion would be too risky? I don’t want to end up a weird color or stain my dress.
This is prob too late of an answer (sorry!) but as long as you put it on before you dress and let it dry I really think you would be fine. I never had a problem with the SH stuff coming off on my clothes 🙂