self tanner

On last night's much anticipated "Britney/Brittany" episode of Glee, Heather Morris (who plays the air-headed Brittany) rocks it out as Britney Spears. And in order to play Britney effectively, Heather got her golden glow on with a little help from St. Tropez.

To re-create a faux tan, start off by exfoliating the skin and moisturizing any dry areas. (Heather used the brand's Tan Optimizer Body Polish ($16) and Tan Optimizer Body Moisturizer ($30).) Next, use latex gloves and apply St. Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow ($18) using sweeping strokes. Best of all, this safe way to tan is also temporary and won't rub off. To remove, just wash with soap and water. It's as easy as that.

Photo courtesy of Fox

Another day, another self-tanner to try. Last time, we checked out Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube, which offered a shimmery faux glow.

Today, our tanner of choice is classic Mystic Tan Lotion ($38). To see the review and before-and-after pictures, just keep reading.

Self-tanner can be one of the most frustrating products to buy, because each brand has its own color formulation that's not going to be flattering on everyone, and you rarely get to try before you buy. And that's where our new feature comes in. We asked women with different skin tones to test out a ton of self-tanners, took before and after pics so you can see what they actually look like on skin, and got the pros and cons once our testers had been using them for a few weeks. Our inaugural product is Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube ($21), a gradual sunless tanner that also has an instant bronzer in it, so you get an immediate glow and a deeper tan that develops afterward. Our tester used it several times, so to see what she had to say and check out how the color really looks, just keep reading.

Because of all the health risks associated with achieving a sun-kissed glow, I'm not big on tanning. Related: I was made fun of for being so pale at a friend's Summer wedding a few years back. A girlfriend quickly intervened and gave me liquid bronzer to use on my arms, shoulders, and legs — I've been a convert ever since. I like it because it gives the illusion of a natural tan but washes off at the end of the day.

I'm not the only one who likes using this stuff. Reality star Stephanie Pratt says she uses Sally Hansen's Sparkle Legs during bikini season to hide imperfections and cellulite. And the authors of Run Like a Mother say that they — and a lot of other marathoners — use similar products when running in shorts or skorts to make their gams look great in finish line and post-race photos.

If you're a little on the pale side and are self-conscious about working out in shorts this season, tinted body lotion or bronzer may be for you. Personally I'm a fan of Benefit's Jiffy Tan, which I tone down just a hint by mixing it with my everyday body lotion. Besides Jiffy Tan, there is Stephanie Pratt's favorite — Sally Hansen — which you can find at most drugstores. Both of these products have the slightest bit of shimmer to them, which works with the light to camouflage imperfections and tone down the appearance of cellulite. And if you do decide to use a product like this, make sure to rub it into your skin completely so it won't end up looking streaky on your legs.

Back in the '60s, Coppertone launched QT, the first sunless tanning lotion ever. And to this day, over 40 years later, the main ingredients used in most self-tanners to bronze the skin are still dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and erythrulose. While DHA has been refined over the years to streak and stink less, self-tanners have essentially changed very little. What has changed: formulas are scented, more moisturizing, and available in different textures.

Most self-tans last for about a week, so if you're simply looking for a run-of-the-mill temporary tan, inexpensive drugstore products get the job done. If you seek a more luxurious experience, there's no shortage of scented treats out there. And to make that tan last a little longer, follow these three easy steps: exfoliate before application, put on a little lotion before you begin, and apply a moisturizing self-tanner.

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Bronzer has become a warm weather makeup staple for many women, since it defines, highlights, and softens while warming up your skin tone. But what about those of us with very deep or very fair skin, or ladies who just aren't fans of bronzer's effects? Fear not! You have options. Bronzer may be the default, but there are plenty of products out there that'll give you seasonally-appropriate sexy skin without the bronze. For tips and tricks to get pretty without powder, just keep reading.

Did you know that every self-tanner is different? Yes, it's true — every formula has its own ratio of colors, meaning that the Neutrogena that looks divinely bronze on your best friend can just look totally orange on you. And depending on your skin type, a tanner can leave you with patches or take forever to dry, streaking you up. So how's a girl to pick her poison? I've got a few tips on choosing the right shade and texture for your skin, so to find out how, just keep reading.

It's clearer than ever that tanning beds are dangerous and carcinogenic, but that apparently isn't stopping the people who are most vulnerable to skin cancer from using them — at least in the UK. The British Association of Dermatologists conducted a study and found that redheads and other pale, freckled people were the most likely to use tanning beds, even though they're at much, much higher risk of developing skin cancer already and almost never actually get a tan. So in lieu of prematurely aging yourself and damaging your skin, slather on wide-spectrum sunscreen and stick with the self-tanner instead.

Or, better yet, start trying to love the skin you were born with. This Bella grew up extra pale in a place where everyone else was golden brown, so I know how it feels. But for your health and psychological well-being, eventually you have to accept yourself and realize that other people's ignorance is their problem and that every skin tone is equally beautiful. That's just my two cents, but what do you think?