Battle of the Bronze: The Best Sunless Tanners

| Sunday May 17, 2009

In this pre-Olympic year, we're seeing metallics on every runway and retail window display. But contrary to popular prejudice, the only medal you're dreaming about these days is bronze - for the healthy glowing skin that looks like you spent hours baking in the sun but without the whole slathered-in-Banana-Boat-cancer-prevention dance.

Tanning your baby oil-basted leather is but a shameful memory, and although pale skin has been trying to make a serious comeback for a few years now, a beautiful sun-kissed blush is still what we really want.

ChickAdvisors know best. Here are your top contenders for a beautiful bottle bronze:

L'Oreal Sublime Luminous Bronzer

Medals in: Best in Class
Disqualified for: Streaks if applied improperly

Jergens Natural Glow

Medals in: Best in Value
Disqualified for: Irritates sensitive skin and has a strong product smell

Body Shop Cocoa Butter Everyday Summer Body Lotion

Medals in: Best for sensitive and acne-prone skin

Lancôme Soleil Flash Bronzer

Medals in: Best in Face
Disqualified for: High price point

Shiseido Brilliant Bronze Self Tanning Gel

Medals in: Best Application
Disqualified for: Requires multiple applications for best results

Leave the gold and silver debate for the not-so-subtle hints your guy has been dropping about a certain Hockey final next February in Vancouver. You're thinking, so long as he doesn't make any more asinine remarks about your plans to get ice-level seats for figure skating, anything's possible.

Do you disagree? Rate your go-to bottle bronzer here.

by Claire Rahn

5 Comments

	on July 24, 2009 Ali de Bold STAFF said: Smerler: I can't use sunless tanners either. I have gotten hives in the past. There must be some sort of ingredient that irritates my skin. Maybe the skin behind your knees is more sensitive?
	on June 03, 2009 CVW22 153 said: I use Nivea touch of sun, it's a gradual tan and it's got grapeseed oil so the smell isn't nearly as bad. I've tried the Marcelle Tan Towels too and they are good but I find they streak big time and don't wear a white bra after you've tan toweled!
	on May 27, 2009 smerler 222 said: Ok, strange question for all of you who have tried and used sunless tanning lotions: Do you ever get itchy skin on the backs of your knees? Every single product I have tried irritates the backs of my knees. They get so itchy that it becomes almost painful! Just wondering if anyone else out there has the same issue! It is just the area behind my knees - no where else!
	on May 24, 2009 artist 7,013 said: Jergens brand stinks so bad :( There's no other way to describe it!
	on May 20, 2009 make-up junkie 3,422 said: I totally agree about the Jergens brand's strong smell and irritating skin. The colour is great and it does tan your skin instantly but I can't stand the smell and the little bumps. I'm going to test out some from Lise Watier - I'll have to post a review! Thanks for this post!