The 14 Best Self-Tanners That Will Never, Ever Streak

Sometimes, a slow and steady tan leading up to vacation is your best bet for longevity. A subtle bronzed finish is exactly what this light-as-air lotion will do, which is the best fake it 'til you make it to the beach approach. Plus, the delightful watermelon scent screams sun is coming. 

Hot Tip:  To ensure a streak-free, clothes-resistant outcome, don't overdo it. A light squeeze will pump out a moderate amount of lotion that will do the job. 

You need to avoid heavy, thick lotions unless looking like a grease ball is your vibe. This tanner comes conveniently in a serum form, which will glide right onto your skin leaving behind a luminous, lit-from-wthin glow. Its 100-percent clean formula is foolproof for sensitive skin, and incredibly hydrating. 

Hot Tip: Apply this directly after SPF. It's loaded with antioxidants like vitamins A, D, and E, which will double your protection from the sun and free radicals. 

This user-friendly spray pump makes the applying this feel like a breeze. Expect a glowy tan to appear four to six hours afterwards. Even better? Brighter skin. This organic blend is formulated with color-correcting actives that are clinically proven to even your skin tone. Nothing's worse than a spotty tan—you'll never have to worry about missing a spot with this. 

Hot Tip: Exfoliate your skin thoroughly before spritzing yourself to ensure all rough patches are gone. For a really good glow, completely saturate your skin with this mist and blend with a tanning mitt. 

Some spray-tans-in-a-can feel wet and uneven when you apply them, but this formula is fast-absorbing, lightweight, and leaves you with a completely even finish. It also dries down on contact, so you won't need to worry about leaving part of your tan on your furniture. Just make sure to stand outside or in your shower when you spray it on—or you'll be left with gold walls and floors.

Hot Tip: The drier a self-tanner is, the more it clings to your skin—and, by nature, your dry patches—so make sure to slough away any flakes with a wash cloth the day you self-tan.

Virtually all sunless tanners are made with lighter skin tones in mind, proving once again that the beauty world has a long way to go toward inclusivity. But Banana Boat has already made major strides with this hydrating, tinted formula that gives even the deepest of skin tones a rich, dark tan after about two or three applications.

Hot Tip: To keep yourself from getting blotchy creases in the crook of your arms and back of your knees (the places where lotion tends to settle before it fully dries), dust the areas with baby powder after you apply your tanner.

A two-in-one lotion that leaves skin with a just-napped-on-the-beach glow and just-came-from-the-womb softness? Not a hard sell. Dry-skin haters can thank the formula's shea and mango butters for its creamy texture and moisturizing finish—a total rarity in self tanners—while faux-tan newbies can rest assured that the color payoff is truly even and subtle.

Hot Tip: Usually, sunless tanning works best if you first massage a tiny dab of moisturizer over your dry bits (i.e. knees, elbows, and ankles) to keep them from soaking up too much tanner, but this formula is so rich and creamy, you can go ahead and rub it right on. 

I know the idea of rubbing a wipe soaked with self-tanner all over your body sounds like a recipe for a messy, streak-filled disaster, but these low-maintenance towels are shockingly good at their job. Not only do they gently buff away dry patches as you wipe them on (dry patches = the ultimate enemy of a smooth tan), but—added bonus—their tea tree oil–infused formula will fight breakouts each time you use them. 

Hot Tip: The final "tan" errs on the lighter side, so if you're looking for a deeper finish, try Tan Towel's dark version, instead. 

This one's for those who crave immediate results and don't have the time to wait all day for their tan to actually show up. This creamy bronzing lotion will instantly give you a glow-up. Imparting a radiant bronzed effect, your skin will feel sun-kissed and moisturized because of its hydrating ingredients. Suffering from dull skin? Ugh, the woes of winter. But thanks to the caffeine swirling around in this self-tanner, you'll get an energizing wake-up call, leaving you with lifted, supple, sunshine-y skin. 

Hot Tip: It's best to start from the bottom and work your way up. With creamy lotions, apply a teaspoon of a squirt at a time in circular motions, beginning at your ankles up to your shoulders. End with your arms and your hands for a streak-free finish.