Get a Summer Glow in the Winter

Without the dangerous UVA rays of a tanning bed. 

There is no doubt having a tan makes you feel thinner, sexier and healthier.  Yet, as more women realize the sun's UV rays age skin faster than anything (not to mention increase your chance of developing the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma). Self-tanners are a great bet. Self-tanners can darken skin for up to a week thanks to dihydroxyacetone, or DHA.

Self Tanners How to use, and the best products for your face, and what to do if you mess up

• Step one: Pull hair up in a ponytail before you start so you don't miss any parts. First, prep skin by gently cleansing and exfoliating. Skip moisturizer, which may interfere with the tanner.
• Step two: Apply under-eye cream. You want the color of your skin to be lighter under the eyes, it makes you look younger.
• Step three: Blend a few drops of self-tanner and equal parts moisturizer in the palm of your hand then apply over face and neck. You only want to go one shade darker than your natural color.
• Step four: Let color develop for three hours then follow up with a sweep of bronzer on forehead, cheeks and nose: areas where the sun naturally shines.
• Don't forget: Smooth remaining tanner over earlobes and upper ears. Wash hands thoroughly. Don't skip the sunscreen.

If you end up with a streaky tan, you can fix with an astringent toner or even toothpaste. Exfoliate to even out a patchy application. Not dark enough? Repeat the procedure. Just make sure you gave the tan enough time to develop.

So the only known issues, aside from the occasional allergic reaction, are to ensure that the product doesn’t get into your eyes, nose or mouth and to test it on a small area of skin to see how it affects you personally (no one wants a blotchy tan!). 

TOP Products

Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-Tanner for the Face (Average Price

Easy to use, not smelly and good on oily skin. ($32)

St. Tropez Whipped Bronze Self-Tanning Mousse for Face and Body (Steep)

You apply this and within a few hours you'll have a deep, naturally-looking tan. This is not a gradual self-tanner. Because the product is fast-acting and dries fast, testers recommend using the pad that St. Tropez makes for their self-tanners. St. Tropez's Website also features applications videos, which I highly recommend watching. The good news is that any missed patches are relatively easy to fix. Testers found their tan deepened over 3 hours. Testers also found that Whipped Bronze has a more pleasant fragrance than other self-tanners they tried. Ideal for the entire body, including the face. ($40) 

Decleor Self-Tanning Milk and Gels for Body and Face (Average-to-Steep Price)

You'll find Decleor products to be one of the best and least pungent self tanners you'll try. Testers found the product to be almost perfect: Hydrating (cheaper tanners will dry skin out), non-streaking, natural, no orange color and with a bit of shimmer. Like all self-tanners, Decleor products do smell. The tanning agents are 100 percent organic and are suitable for face as well as body. ($36)

Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel for the Face (Steep)

It's light, has a pleasant smell and lasts a couple days. ($52)

Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel for the Face (Average Price)

Unlike other self-tanners, Laura Mercier's bronzing gel is meant to be used to enhance the tan on the face. The company suggests dabbing a bit on AFTER tinted moisturizer and BEFORE powders.A bit pricier than M.A.C. and other bronzers on the market, testers found it's 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. $32.

Jergens Natural Glow -Face

This one smells, even after you try and wash it off, yet it gives a nice glow. Be sure to apply evenly because it can be streaky. Specially formulated for your face and recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation, this advanced SPF 20 anti-aging formula contains broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection to defend against everyday sun exposure and premature aging.* $9 (Source: http://www.jergens.com/products/natural-glow/healthy-complexion-daily-facial-moisturizer.aspx)

Here's what you can do at a tanning salon:

If you want a flawless, professional application and can afford the price, head to a spa or salon. For $60 (and up), you can get one of many options: Full body exfoliation and professional application of self-tanner, airbrush bronzing (where an esthetician sprays a fine mist of tanner over your entire body), or your least expensive option: spray tanning. You can step into a booth and get sprayed on all sides for about $20 a session or more.

Try Hollywood Tans.