Best Self Tanners for Beginners

Sephora customers often prefer the following products when searching for Best Self Tanners for Beginners.

Achieving a sun-kissed glow has never been easier with the wide range of self-tanners available for beginners. From lightweight lotions to easy-to-use sprays, these self-tanners offer a foolproof way to achieve a beautiful tan without the harmful effects of the sun. Whether you're new to self-tanning or simply looking for a product that delivers natural-looking results, these best self-tanners have got you covered.

St. TropezGradual Tan Watermelon Daily Firming Lotion

ITEM: 2566644

Size: 6.7 oz/ 200 mL

436 Reviews

$39.00

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Great starting point for beginners...The smell is amazing compared to other self tanners. This is great for beginners like myself. ...easy self tanner for brand new beginner...I got this to learn how to use self tanner. I used it all over twice, and it's a nice, gradual tan effect. it doesn't smell like what I remember tanners smelling like decades ago. it doesn't rub off or discolor anything. it didn't streak or turn orange, this stuff is good!

What it is: A natural-looking, hydrating, and easy-to-use gradual tan moisturizer to hydrate, protect, smooth, visibly firm, and visibly plump skin.

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Dual Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and visibly plumps skins.
- Marine Algae: Provides firmer-, more youthful-looking skin over time.
- Blend of Upcycled Blueberry and Raspberry Seed Oils: Is high in antioxidants to help protect skin from environmental damage.

What Else You Need to Know: This multitasking lotion combines five super skincare benefits with a daily dose of glow so you can hydrate, protect, smooth, soothe, and visibly firm skin. Gradually build a sunkissed glow and lock in moisture for up to 72 hours.

$43.50

Super beginner friendly, didn’t leave me streaky or orange. ...Basic self-tanner...I'm pale and this self-tanner shows up more orange than I anticipated, as well as a bit streaky in areas.

What it is: A water-based self-tanning mousse with color-correcting technology to even skin tone for a natural-looking, hydrated glow.

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily

Formulation: Lightweight Mousse

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil: Hydrates and smooths skin.
-Chia Seed Oil: One of nature’s richest vegetarian sources of omega 3 fatty acids; proven to significantly improve skin hydration and maintain skin barrier function.
- Avocado Oil: High in vitamins A and C; a fast-absorbing skin conditioning agent.

Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free. It comes in recyclable packaging.

$60.00

Best self tanner on the market...Goes on great, dries quickly, no "self tanner" smell - best of all is the color!!! ...BEST TANNER EVER...This was the first ever self tanner I’ve ever tried and still remains the best to this day.

What it is:
A lightweight, easy-to-apply classic mousse that dries quickly with no self tan smell and an even fade.

What it is formulated to do:
For an iconic, natural, and healthy-looking tan, this newly formulated, lightweight classic mousse tailors to your individual skin tone, for that longest-lasting tan in one application. It’s streak-free, easy to apply, quick-drying, non-sticky with no transfer, and ultra-hydrating. Plus, it has no self tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product contains a 100 percent natural DHA and is clinically proven to moisturize for up to 24 hours.

KVD BeautyModCon Long-Wear Hydrating Liquid-Gel Contour

Size: 0.57 oz/ 17 mL·ITEM: 2477743

Color: Tan-Deep - deep brown with neutral undertones

160 Reviews

$40.00

Love this best long wear contour, vary easy to apply....Great for beginners

What it is: A lightweight, transfer-resistant, liquid-gel contour that easily creates lifelike dimension for a wide range of skin tones and undertones.

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Daisy Flower Extract: Hydrates skin.

Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance. It is also vegan and cruelty-free.

$65.00

The smell is pretty similar to any other self tanner. What I liked the most was the undertone once the tan is rinced off. ...excellent self tanner!...I am absolutely loving this self tanner! Since I am so fair skinned, I find a lot of self tanners to pull a little too much on the orange side.

What it is: A self-tan mousse that provides natural color with longer-lasting tan technology, plus has a new fine fragrance.

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily

Skincare Concerns: Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dryness, and Uneven Texture

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates skin.
- Niacinamide: Visibly reduces redness and evens skin tone.
- Vitamin E and Echinacea: Free radicals that soothe skin and reduce visible redness.

Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

$61.00

Best Self Tanner - worth the price...my go to staple for self tanner! THE BEST!!!!!!! I have repurchased this 4 times now....best self tanner...I love this self tanner! You definitely need the mitt, but with that it’s smooth and easy to apply.

What it is:
A lightweight mousse that tailors to your individual skin tone for the deepest, longest-lasting tan in one application.

What it is formulated to do:
For the deepest tan yet, this lightweight mousse tailors to your individual skin tone and gives the longest-lasting tan in one application. It’s streak-free, easy to apply, quick-drying, non-sticky with no transfer, and ultra-hydrating. Plus, it has no self-tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product contains a 100 percent natural DHA, and delivers a natural-looking glow to all skin tones and types.

$62.00

Don’t even think about it, just buy it. I have tried all the self tanners, from cheap to high dollar. It will not disappoint. ...This is a great self tanner for beginners. It is very easy to apply, especially with the mit that comes with it. ...best self tanner ever!!...Great self tanner

What it is:
A lightweight mousse that allows you to choose your tan, from a light glow to a deep dark tan.

What it is formulated to do:
Control the depth of your tan with St. Tropez’s most advanced formula yet for a natural, healthy-looking tan that lasts for days. Wait just one hour before showering for a light sunkissed glow, two hours for a medium golden tan, or leave on for up to three hours for a deeper, darker bronze, to suit your skin tone. It’s streak-free, easy to apply, quick-drying, non-sticky with no transfer, and ultra-hydrating. Plus, it has no self tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

LAWLESSSkin-Smoothing Talc-Free Perfecting Powder

Size: 0.32 oz / 9.1 g·ITEM: 2660470

Color: Tan Deep - tan deep to deep

518 Reviews

$61.50

I have the color Banannie, and while it’s a bit light for my medium-tanner skin, it works well in the colder months when I’m not getting as much sun. ...If I had gone with fair I don’t think I’d be able to use it year round, when I get tanner in the summer, like I can with the shade light!

What it is: This talc-free, ultra-lightweight powder smooths, blurs and perfects for a soft-matte, skin-like finish. Now also available in 3 brightening shades.

Coverage: Medium


Finish: Natural


Formulation: Pressed Powder


Highlighted Ingredients: 

- Kaolin Clay: Absorbs excess oil and improves skin tone.

- Phytosqualane: Balances the skin by preventing moisture loss.

- Perlite Powder: Reduces shine.


Ingredient

IT CosmeticsCC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder Foundation

Size: 0.192 oz/ 5.44 g·ITEM: 2227635

Color: Tan - (W) (Light Bronze)

332 Reviews

$57.00

This is the best powder! Despite uneven skin tone, I can skip foundation with this!...Best Powder...This is best IT cosmetics product i used and i loved it so much, i now own a lot of products from them.

What it is: A talc-free, lightweight, color-correcting pressed powder with buildable, sheer-to-full coverage.

Coverage: Full

Finish: Natural

Formulation: Pressed Powder

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Collagen: Enhances visible elasticity for a youthful, smooth appearance.
- Peptides: Help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and support natural collagen for smoother, firmer-looking skin.
- Niacin (B Vitamin): Supports skin barrier function and visible elasticity, promotes a more even-looking tone, and combats the appearance of blemishes and hyperpigmentation.

Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens and phthalates.

$60.00

St. Tropez makes the BEST self-tanners!...St. Tropez makes the BEST self-tanners. I was so lucky to discover this product years ago when I was very much into self-tanning. ...It’s easy to apply, it gives a desirable glow and I recommend this to anyone in search of a self tanner!

What it is:
A lightweight, classic lotion that tailors to your individual skin tone, with added moisturization for a long-lasting tan and even fade.

What it is formulated to do:
For the most iconic, natural, and healthy-looking tan, this lightweight lotion tailors to your individual skin tone while hydrating for a long-lasting, streak-free tan. The quick-drying, non-sticky formula is easy to apply and has no self tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product contains a 100 percent natural DHA and is clinically proven to hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours.

$39.00

It left a subtle tan which looks great, but keep in mind it should be used more like a self tanner and not a moisturizer and may transfer to clothes and furniture....It’s not sticky, and doesn’t smell like tanner.

What it is:A natural-looking, hydrating, and easy-to-use gradual tan moisturizer with a subtle tint to hydrate, protect, smooth, visibly firm, and visibly plump skin.

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Dual Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and visibly plumps skins.
- Marine Algae: Supports firmer-, more youthful-looking skin over time.
- Blend of Upcycled Blueberry and Raspberry Seed Oils: Is high in antioxidants and helps protect skin from environmental damage.

What Else You Need to Know: This multitasking lotion combines five super skincare benefits with a daily dose of glow so you can hydrate, protect, smooth, soothe, and visibly firm skin.

Isle of ParadiseSelf Tan Oil Mist

ITEM: 2632750

Size: 6.76 oz / 200 mL (Medium)

14 Reviews

$44.00

Super fool proof this is my first time self tanning and it works great it gives a super even and natural tan. ...This self tanner is definitely the best one I’ve tried.

What it is: A bi-phase self-tanning body oil that is supercharged with three hydrating heroes—shake to awake skin paradise.

What Else You Need to Know: When shaken, powerful actives hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, plus a vitamin-rich sea kelp base combine with seven nourishing oils including argan, grape seed, and avocado to lock in moisture for up to 24 hours. Self-Tanning Oil Mist provides your most natural-looking, longest-lasting glow, guaranteed. Plus, the easy-to-apply mister gives a streamlined, streak-free, full-body application in under two minutes.

$39.00

Love this self tanner. The colour is nice and golden. The fade is very natural and not streaky.

What it is: A natural-looking, hydrating, and easy-to-use gradual tan moisturizer to hydrate, protect, smooth, and visibly firm and plump skin.

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Blend of Upcycled Blueberry and Raspberry Seed Oils: Is high in antioxidants and protects skin from environmental damage.
- Red Bell Pepper: Offers blue light protection, shielding skin from digital pollution-induced visible signs of aging.
- Dual Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and visibly plumps skin.

What Else You Need to Know: Gradually build a natural, sunkissed glow with this easy-to-apply, daily youth-boosting moisturizer that hydrates for up to 72 hours. It’s enriched with protecting antioxidants, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, visibly brigh

Products related to Best Self Tanners for Beginners

Bronzer For Beginners
“If perfection was a bronzer this would be it ! It is my first bronzer and I was so scared that it would look like a fake tan and orange but it was perfect it gave me a bronzed that looked natural but can also be billed up, that’s perfect for beginners like me”
Easy Self Tanners
“This product gives you just the right color. It’s easy to apply, it gives a desirable glow and I recommend this to anyone in search of a self tanner”
Dark Self-Tanners
“Super fool proof this is my first time self tanning and it works great it gives a super even and natural tan”
Healthy Self Tanners
“Don’t even think about it, just buy it. I have tried all the self tanners, from cheap to high dollar. It will not disappoint”
Streak Free Self Tanners
“I have to say, I was wrong. This bronzer is flawless. It’s nothing like other bronzers I’ve tried and I felt prettier with it on”
Self Tanners For Fair Skin
“I love using mixed in my foundation or applied as a contour/ bronzer. It’s perfect for fair skin and blends like a dream”
Natural Self Tanners
“I use this self tanner every week and it never turns out splotchy, as long as I use a tanning mitten to apply”
Safe Self Tanners
“I really love this safe however as a bronzer I find it to be a BIT orange on my pale skin🥲the shimmer is so beautiful, I will definitely use this when I use self tanner in the summer & until then I think it’s a really pretty eye shimmer”
Moisturizing Self Tanners
“I was a little worried that it would be a little too warm for me(got medium based on the product photos) but it ended up looking beautiful on me-I’m a light skinned sunless tanner addict. The formula feels very smooth and almost cream like but applies like a powder”
Quick Self Tanners
“As long as you adhere to the universal techniques of sunless tanning, this will produce an easy and quick self tan”

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