There are two things that friends know about me: I can’t tan to save my life, and post-beach sunburns are second nature to me. Maybe the pinch of Irish in my blood is to blame, but if your tanning efforts are like mine, you’ll appreciate this tip: The key to a show-stopping fake tan is Lancôme’s Flash Bronzer Tinted Self-Tanning Body Gel ($40).
Have you ever thought you were in love with someone but then realized you were just staring in a mirror for 20 minutes? My answer to this question, once posed by the ever-humble Kanye West, was “No.” Until, that is, I finished applying the Flash Bronzer. After exfoliating, I applied it to my arms and the rest of my body, then waited for the magic to kick in—and it did.
Formulated with natural caramel extract and pure vitamin E, this bronzing gel transformed my pale skin into the golden tone of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model in just 30 minutes. By the final mirror check, I noticed a deep tan that was neither streaky nor greasy. Though the gel is highly pigmented, it didn’t rub off on my clothes. Proof: The white shirt I wore that day actually stayed white. And might I add that unlike every self-tanner on shelves, this one contains no foul odors—none.
Knowing that I can stay golden as the leaves turn brown is something that helps me sleep better at night. So go ahead—skip the sun, forgo the spray tan, and go pro with your own tanning game.