A Safe Summer Glow: Our Tried-and-True Sunless Tanners and How to Use Them

Contributed by The Hive Women, Overland Park

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There was a time when “summer skincare” meant slathering on coconut oil like we were basting a Thanksgiving turkey, lying out for hours, hopping into tanning beds before every school dance, and treating sunscreen like it was optional. The goal wasn’t health; it was looking like we’d spent the summer on a boat, even though the closest we got to the ocean was the mall fountain. More was more!!

Now? We know better. Years of soaking up the sun's rays show up later as sun spots, fine lines, and that general “why does my face look tired?” situation. UV rays break down collagen and elastin (aka the stuff that keeps skin looking bouncy), and they’re not exactly friendly to our future selves. And beyond the cosmetic stuff, there’s the serious part: cumulative sun exposure raises your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. So yes, we want a glow—but we’d like it without the long-term consequences. Here are three tried-and-true sunless tanners that I’ve actually used and loved.

1) Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam (with an application mitt)

Why its Amazing: This is the foam you grab when you want fast, even color with minimal drama. It has a tinted guide (so you can actually see where you’re putting it), dries quickly, and gives a golden, not-orange result. It’s also marketed as more “skincare-ish” than your average tanner—hydrating ingredients and antioxidants that help skin look smoother while you’re bronzing.

Approx. cost: about $38 for 6.7 oz (often less during sales).

Scent: tropical mango/guava (way less “biscuit” than many tanners, but you may still notice a faint self-tan scent as it develops).

Best for: most skin types; especially good if you want a noticeable tan in one go.

Celebrity buzz: It blew up as a viral TikTok self-tan—most famously after creator Grace Kellyann posted about hunting it down and trying it (the kind of influence that empties shelves). Its been at the top of many “best sunless tanner” lists too.

Pros:

• Foam texture = easy to spread evenly (especially with a mitt)

• Tinted guide helps prevent missed patches

• Buildable: leave it on longer for deeper color (hello, “weekend in Cabo”)

• Dries faster than many lotions

• Contains skin-friendly ingredients (hydrating + antioxidant support) so skin looks smoother

Cons:

• If you have dry patches (knees, ankles, elbows), it can concentrate there if you don’t prep your skin

• The guide color can transfer before you rinse (dark pajamas recommended)

• Scent is pleasant, but it’s not totally odorless while developing

How to apply (The no-streak method):

1. Exfoliate the day before (not five minutes before).

2. Start with clean, dry skin (skip heavy body oils right before).

3. Pump foam onto the mitt and apply in big circular motions—legs first, then arms, then torso.

4. Use what’s left on the mitt for knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists (less is more there).

5. Wait until fully dry before getting dressed.

6. Rinse after at least ~2 hours (or longer for deeper color). Pat dry—don’t scrub.

2) Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops

Why its Amazing: These are not the “I just spent three weeks in Cabo” drops. They are more the "I want a little bronze summer glow" drops. You mix them into your regular face moisturizer, so you control the depth. The newer formulas lean very skincare-forward (ingredients like niacinamide + hyaluronic acid), which means you’re not just tinting your face—you’re also doing a little bit of fancy skincare.

Approx. cost: about $30 for 1.01 oz (30 mL).

Scent: fragrance-free (a rare luxury in tanner world).

Best for: most skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone (because you’re diluting it into your own moisturizer). Great if you’re dry, since you can pair it with a richer cream.

Celebrity buzz: The founder, Jules Von Hep, is a celebrity tanner who’s worked with names including Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, and Lily James. And Margot Robbie has been spotted using Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops on her Barbie press tour.

Pros:

• Customizable: 2–3 drops = subtle glow; 5–7 = “I got outside this weekend”; 8+ = committed bronze

• Mixes into your existing skincare routine (low effort, high reward)

• Skincare ingredients help with hydration and a more even look

• No added fragrance

• You can also apply to other body areas – for an all-over glow

Cons:

• No guide color, so you need to mix well and apply evenly (hairline + jawline are where mistakes happen often)

• Can cling to dry flakes if your skin is dehydrated or you’re using strong skin care products

• Hands can stain if you don’t wash after applying

How to apply:

1. In your palm, mix your usual moisturizer with your chosen number of drops (start low—a little testing is a good idea).

2. Apply evenly to face and blend down the neck.

3. Use what’s left very lightly around the hairline and ears.

4. Wash hands immediately.

5. Let it develop for a few hours; avoid sweating/face oils right after.

3) Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

Why its Amazing: This is the low-maintenance “I’m too busy for a full-body foam production” option. It’s basically a body moisturizer that slowly builds color over 1–3 applications—so it’s forgiving, hard to mess up, and perfect if you want to look softly sun-kissed all season. It’s also hydrating (aloe + vitamin E) which helps the tan fade more evenly.

Approx. cost: about $20–$24 for 12.68 oz (price varies by retailer).

Scent: cocoa butter (cozy, vacation-adjacent).

Best for: dry to normal skin, tanning beginners, or anyone who wants a gradual glow with minimal streak risk

Celebrity buzz: Bondi Sands features creators like the Mian twins (Azra & Aisha Mian) in its “Global Faces of Bondi Sands” community—very on-brand for a product that’s made to look like you just got back from a beachy holiday.

Pros:

• Very forgiving, gradual color (great for “oops” prevention)

• Hydrates while it tans—helps with that smoother, healthier look

• Easy to maintain: use it like a regular lotion

• Typically less transfer/drama than strong guide-color foams

Cons:

• Takes a few applications to get noticeable color (not instant gratification)

• You still need to wash hands after—this is not optional

• Can build unevenly on very dry elbows/knees if you skip prep

How to apply:

1. Apply to clean, dry skin in circular motions like a normal body lotion.

2. Go lighter on hands/feet, elbows, knees, and ankles (or moisturize those areas first).

3. Let it dry before dressing.

4. Use daily until you hit your desired glow, then maintain 2–4x/week.

5. Wash hands well.

Which one should you pick?

If you want fast, event-ready color, go with Coco & Eve. If your face is your main concern (winter, zoom lighting, lots of turtle necks), the Isle of Paradise drops are the easiest way to look sun-kissed while still doing skincare. And if you want an everyday, low-maintenance glow that’s hard to mess up, Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk is your steady, reliable friend.

Tips: prep, orange-hand prevention, and making it last

Prep checklist:

• Exfoliate 6–24 hours before (so skin is smooth, not freshly irritated).

• Shave/wax first, then moisturize—don’t do hair removal right before tanning.

• On tanning day, apply to clean, dry skin. Skip heavy oils right beforehand.

• Moisturize dry-prone spots (elbows, knees, ankles, wrists) so they don’t go darker.

How to avoid orange hands:

• Use a mitt for foams, and wash hands immediately after any hand-blending.

• Before tanning, rub a tiny bit of lotion over knuckles/cuticles (they grab color).

• When you do hands/feet, use leftover product (not a fresh pump), then blend like a mad woman.

• If you’re using drops, mix thoroughly and wash hands right away—no “I’ll do it in a second.”

Make it last and fade gracefully:

• Moisturize daily (dry skin = patchy fade).

• Avoid super-hot, long showers if you want maximum longevity.

• Pat dry instead of aggressively rubbing with a towel.

• Top up with gradual lotion between full applications to keep everything even.

Final note from your fellow former sun-worshipper: self-tan is the glow hack, but sunscreen is still the main character. We’re going for “radiant and thriving,” not “crispy and regretful."