Which Self Tanners Work Best?

We rate the best self tanners on the market

Ever since a bronzed Coco Chanel came back from a Mediterranean vacation in the 1920s and made the tan the hottest fashion accessory, women have been going ga-ga over golden skin.

These days you don't have to lie out in the sun to get a beautiful bronzed face and body. In fact, in order to keep your face wrinkle-free it's important you use sunscreen every day (90% of wrinkles are caused by UV rays). But wearing sunscreen doesn't mean you have to look like a ghost 12 months out of the year. Everyone knows bronzed skin gives off a healthy glow and makes you look pounds thinner. Here, I rundown a list of the best self tanners and bronzers on the market.

Best Self Tanners for the Face

1. In 1984, Guerlain of Paris created the first bronzing powder, dubbed Terracotta and at $35 it's still one of the best bronzers on the market.
2. Laura Mercier Bronzer. A bit pricier than M.A.C. and other bronzers on the market, but well worth the price. This bronzer provides a "just tanned" look with a touch of rose. Warms the skin and adds a spark of shimmer.
3. Chanel Perfecting Bronzer. Powder this bronzer on your forehead, cheeks and nose for that perfect sun-kissed look.
4. Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel. The authors of 'Total Beauty,' one of the many beauty books I have, gave this facial self tanner 8.13 points out of 10 -- the highest rating for all their tested self tanners. Why did they like it? It's light, has a pleasant smell and lasts a couple days.
5. Lancome Flash Bronzer Instant Bronze Glow for the Face. This self tanner was voted 'Best New Product' by New Woman Magazine it's first year on the market. It has a pleasant smell, gives a nice, all-over golden glow and has skin-softening Vitamin E.
6. Estee Lauder Go Tan Towelettes for Face and Decolletage. This product is the fake tan equivalent of cleansing wipes. These individually-wrapped towelettes let you whip up a golden tan at your desk, in the car or even on the plane.
7. Phytomer Bronze Perfect. This is a great facial self-tanner that also doesn't smell, isn't sticky and leaves a nice, all-over golden glow.

Best Self Tanners for the Body

1. Decleor Auto-Bronzant Spray Express Hydratant SPF 6.You'll find this to be one of the best and least pungent self tanners you'll try. Tanning agents are 100 percent organic and are suitable for face as well as body.
2. Clarins Lait Auto-Bronzant. The manager of C.O. Bigelow Apothecary on 6th Ave. in Manhattan swears by this self-tanner. A self-proclaimed self-tanning nut, she said the milky cream works better than the gel. And if you want to use it on your face? Just add a bit of moisturizer.
3. St. Tropez Whipped Mousse. This salon brand is beloved by celebs including Elle MacPherson. The superspeedy mousse has aloe leaf juice and fruit acids to pump up the tan。
4. Lancome Flash Bronzer Magic Mousse. This super-hydrating mousse gives instant color and develops fully within an hour.
5. Origins Great Pretender. Get golden brown with this tinted shimmery body gel. Like most Origins products, this self tanners has many natural ingredients. And the sparkle and shimmer will make you feel sexy all summer long.

source from http://beauty.about.com