Trendy Tuesdays: Tanning

Tanning Alternatives

"In the 80s we were told that tanning beds were safer than the sun. But that's a lie." -Lisa Gastineau

Some of us have been victims to over tanning whether in salons or in the sun. These are potential dangers that may lead to skin cancer. Take it from Lisa Gastineau, a reality star of E! Gastineau Girls. 15 years of abusing her skin in a tanning bed had left her with the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. Now she is reevaluating her obsession with tanning and warns others: "Do not use a tanning bed. That is insane. You don't have to go out into the sun to get a great tan. There's so many self tanning products, so many spray tans. There are ways to get the illusion."

Now is the best time to quit the addiction and start fresh with sunless tanning. It will save you from the hassle of driving to the salons, save you loads of money and some may even protect you from the harmful effects of UV rays. As always, we've gone through countless reviews, tried some for ourselves and have formed a list of the best self tanning products on the market. Be golden, beautiful and safe while getting the color you've always wanted!

Fake Bake Tanning Lotion, $24.95 www.fakebake.com

Gives you a great color after a few uses. You only need to use this 2-3 times per week to get a rich color. The bad aspects to this product are the time it takes to fully dry and the strong smell. Best results if used at night and washed off in the morning.

Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion, $6.99 drugstores

Gives a great natural looking color but takes a while to dry. Has a moderate smell. Many reviews said they prefer this product over some pricey and moderately priced competitors.

Hawaiian Topic Island Radiance Self Tanner Creme Lotion, $9.49 drugstores

The color this gives is unmatchable according to reviews and our experience. It may lead to blotches due to its lack of tint when applying so it is necessary to apply as evenly as possible. Also, the color may fade within a few days therefore several applications are required throughout the week.

Jergen's Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer, $8.99 drugstores

Great to use if you need both moisturizing and some color. This gradual self tanner gives you a natural tan over a few weeks. Has a moderate smell but has great reviews too.

Sun Laboratories Strictly Faces Self Tanning Lotion, $20.99 www.sun-labs.us

As its name states, this product is strictly for your face and neck. A healthy glow appears after 3 hours of application. This product can be used under makeup and can be applied in the evening as a facial moisutizer. It contains nourishing extracts, antioxidants and SPF 15.

Sephora Collection Body Self-Tanning Tinted Bronzing Mist, $12.00 www.sephora.com

Spray tannning can be tricky as it may lead to streaking if not applied properly. Those that have used the Sephora brand spray tan has said that it was easy to apply and had a faint smell compared to other tanners. The only bad part about this tanner is its popularity. We're waiting to see when they restock to try it for ourselves!

Self-Tan Towelettes for Face and Body, $21.00 www.sephora.com

Prefer to do without the mess of spray tans and self tanning lotions? If so, take a look at tanning towelettes available at Sephora. These towels allow for even, natural color within 2-4 hours and has a great citrus smell.