There's something about a glistening gel in a sleek tube that's very French Riviera. It's straightforward and easy to use -- no special accessories needed or gymnastics necessary to apply it. And it dries incredibly quickly -- so you can throw on your white sundress and head straight for the beach.
I've had some major self-tanner mishaps over the years. From orange palms for weeks (yes, weeks) to splotches that looked like rare skin diseases, I've experienced it all.
And after a string of self-tanner woes, I've finally had what Oprah would call an "Aha! Moment": Most self-tanners are terrible. So terrible, in fact, that I'd rather be pale.
However, there are a few gems -- a select group of self-tanners that stand out among their awful competitors -- and they can be found in drugstores, Sephora, and department stores alike. When I'm desperate for color (i.e. the last Vegas bachelorette party I attended), I turn to one of these.
Since the self-tanning formula is so tricky to get right, I've decided the good self-tanners out there deserve an award. Which is why I'm handing out self-tanner superlatives. Some of these are new for 2013, while others are oldies but goodies. I hope you find the one that works for you so you never have to go out in public looking like Tony the Tiger. I already suffered for you.
