No. 8: Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Shade to Order, $18.50, 9 Best Self-Tanners

Skin care

9 Best Self-Tanners

Get a sexy, golden sunless tan using one of these top-rated skin care tools

June 29, 2010 | by Molly Roemer | 46 COMMENTS

No. 8: Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Shade to Order, $18.50

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.1*
Why: Readers say that this product is the "best of the best tanners out there." One reader also loves how "the smell is not bad at all. After using it my husband said that I smelled good, so that was a change from the other tanners that leave you smelling like you have been sweating all day." Another reader says, "I have used tanners for years to save my skin from the sun rays. This is easy to apply, great tan color -- better and healthier looking than the sun, no offensive smell and lasts all week." One woman who is "quite pale" says, "with this I can decide how dark to go, so I don't look fake."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 7: L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Any Angle Self-Tanning Spray, $9.99

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products mentioned

Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion

8.0

Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Shade to Order

8.1

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Any Angle...

7.6

Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion Deep...

8.4

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Sunless Tanner

8.1

Bliss A Tan For All Seasons

8.8

LORAC TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer

8.6

Body Drench Quick Tan Sunless Tanning Mist

9.0

Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint

9.5

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I like Bliss and Lorac products in general. Nice items to try!

by TheDivaRose Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 06:57PM Report as inappropriate

Some of these make me a little nervous, but the prices are certainly good but I don't think that's a recommendation. You?

by islands4me Monday, March 11, 2013 at 11:26AM Report as inappropriate

You left off Tan Towels, which are the best, most efficient self tanner.

by CaroleVonAllten Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:41AM Report as inappropriate

These sound interesting

by LittleBunny Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:02AM Report as inappropriate

I love gradual tanners, but I'm a little scared to try actual self-tanners.

by Chris213 Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 07:15AM Report as inappropriate

banana boat is pretty good. It is the least smelly one out of all cheaper self-tanners. Their spray self-tanner is pretty nice too.

by venenumletalis Monday, January 21, 2013 at 07:55PM Report as inappropriate

I'm so intruiged by self tanner but have never used one. this article i feel like it gave me to push i needed

by rayshaviolet Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 01:40PM Report as inappropriate

Made in the Shade by Arbonne! It gets darker as you get hotter! That means, put it on and...go to the gym, blow dry your hair, go outside!You get a natural looking tan and it has SPF so you can use it as sunscreen. I ALWAYS bring this with me on vacation and you get exceptionally dramatic results. LOVE LOVE LOVE

by BlackFleur145 Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 07:49PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting recommendations, surprised Lancomes bronzer didn't make the list. It smells great and I've been using it on and off for years. Coppertone is another good lotion that leaves no streak if you reub it on evenly.

by Lani702 Friday, November 2, 2012 at 07:01PM Report as inappropriate

I believe all self tanners are going to leave a streak or two here and there but there are definitely some that are way better than others. I suggest to try at leaste 5 different brands and find the one that best compliments your skin tone. Also, taking advice from here can get you through them a little quicker and may save a little money too in the end!

by EricaF123 Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 12:43PM Report as inappropriate

when it comes to self-tanners, whichever product I sed so far just caused streaks on my skin.

by lilas Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 04:36PM Report as inappropriate

i have never found a good self tanner!

by LittleBunny Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 01:08PM Report as inappropriate

Great article! I really recommend beautisol. It by far exceeds any others I've tried, including the ones mentioned here. The applicator mitt is heavenly and it has this thing called pure scent technology that kills a lot of the foul odors most self-tanners carry.

by hwsortiz Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 03:08PM Report as inappropriate

great range of products/price points. lots of options to try.

by JessBailey Friday, June 29, 2012 at 08:06PM Report as inappropriate

Time to feed my self tanner addiction with some new ones...

by cheechy Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11:11AM Report as inappropriate

Great list! I've always been afraid to try self tanners, but this article makes it seem so easy!

by florawynn Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 10:48AM Report as inappropriate

Great article! I want to try that Clarins one out, but definitely not in my budget right now!

by Karica4 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 12:14PM Report as inappropriate

I love bliss

by TBjunkie Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 08:11PM Report as inappropriate

What happened to St. Tropez? One of the easiest and best, I should know I walked around many times like a pumpkin!!

by Sheilaa Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 02:51AM Report as inappropriate

i want to try some of these

by mayra_alonzo Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 07:30PM Report as inappropriate

This is a great article for people to read because based on some of the walking disasters I've seen, some ladies don't have a clue. One of the biggest problems I have with most tanners is the smell. I have had staff walk into my office at work and say (with grimaces on their faces) "what is that smell?" That is tres embarrassing!

by Cheryl5752 Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 09:53PM Report as inappropriate

Very good list!

by ayegee Monday, April 16, 2012 at 08:49AM Report as inappropriate

I have gotten so used to being pale it is a little intimidating to try another self tanner.

by beautybody Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 08:55PM Report as inappropriate

I'm not really keen on tanning, but for those who are, the new tanners from Sephora (the Sephora collection) are AWESOME. I actually tried a little bit on one arm and the next day I had a farmers tan from where I applied it and stopped where my tshirt sleeve started. haha!

by volta Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 01:22AM Report as inappropriate

i recently had to stop tanning and hate how i look when i'm pale. i'm going to try the aveeno, loreal, and banana boat. think i'll try the banana boat first. i've never used a self tanner and this makes me so nervous,i don't want to be orange........

by rebecca_moran_watson Monday, February 13, 2012 at 03:14AM Report as inappropriate

Gonna go buy the Aveeno right now !

by hayleyxonewjersey Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:54AM Report as inappropriate

So helpful ! Gonna go buy the Aveeno

by hayleyxonewjersey Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:34AM Report as inappropriate

Purminerals is the best tanning lotion. It gives you a deep tan and doesn't turn you orange!! It doesn't smell either like some lotions do. You'll love it. It goes on smooth and is light and silky to the touch. Its not a thick lotion and doesn't leave you streaky!!

by carrie_hadley Monday, October 24, 2011 at 05:41PM Report as inappropriate

I'm glad I found this before I went shopping!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 01:35AM Report as inappropriate

Gotta try the Aveeno one now :)

by katherine_melendez Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 08:11PM Report as inappropriate

Good info, thanks!

by MissPurple Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 11:37AM Report as inappropriate

Great story! I'll have to try the Aveeno one, because I love all Aveeno moistuizers!

by lanigaga Monday, July 11, 2011 at 11:13AM Report as inappropriate

will try

by beth_farque Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 05:18PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any of those. I've tried Jergen's gradual tanner, and their express tanner, and I like them both. But I might have to give the other two drugstore tanners a try.

by LipglossandSpandex Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 05:27PM Report as inappropriate

Actually, the lotion form of L'Oreal's self tanner is called Sublime Glow, not Bronze. I was mistaken. Either way, I love it!

by DeLux Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 09:43AM Report as inappropriate

I used to work at a Macys beauty counter before and the Clarins one would always be sold out! I guess it really is great, thinking about trying it myself!

by makeupbyjanalyn Monday, April 4, 2011 at 03:02AM Report as inappropriate

I like L'Oreal Sublime Bronze, but the lotion rather than the spray. It doesn't even smell bad, which is a big deal!

by DeLux Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 04:28PM Report as inappropriate

I was just looking for some self-tanners yesterday...great help

by ChrisanneSkye Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 03:41AM Report as inappropriate

I think I ought to just spend the extra $$ and just get a good tanner rather than dealing with the cheap drugstore stuff.

by J_Mullins Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 07:06PM Report as inappropriate

I'm so lucky to be Italian, where I literally stand outside for 5 minutes and get a tan.

by volta Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 02:26AM Report as inappropriate

I try to avoid any selftanners because every single one has left me unsatisfied and frustrated

by selma Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 02:05AM Report as inappropriate

At some point [when money allows] I will be buying one of these brands of self tanner in a spray and a lotion. I love to use the lotion after I've been out in the sun...and the spray for the in-between time....aaah if only I had been born with a deep brown complection

by kat_hamilton17 Friday, April 1, 2011 at 05:25PM Report as inappropriate

Great price, this will be my first choice!

by LaDonnaRuth Monday, January 24, 2011 at 05:11AM Report as inappropriate

i cant wait to try some of these! the cheap ones at least.

by kenya Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 10:27PM Report as inappropriate

Is there any self tanner that does not come off on your clothes when you sweat? Even the magic tans that tanning centers offer comes off on your clothes when you sweat - they swear that it does not.

by CarlaColon Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 04:59PM Report as inappropriate

I have tried several of these tanners with horrible luck. I always end up orange. The best one I've ever found (if you can find it at a beauty stoe - it is hard to find - if not you can order it online direct) is St. Tropez tanning system. LOVE IT! I get a beautiful BROWN tan that lasts. It has a bronzer too so you get instant results and can see where you applied.

by boatbabe007 Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 09:31PM Report as inappropriate

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