I get a sense that a lot of women feel weird about being pale when the weather outside starts to get warm. I don’t ever feel weird about being pale, mostly because I have no idea what it’s like to be not-pale, but, you know, I’m a good listener. I hear things. Lately, most of those things have to do with the impending need to bear limbs in public that have previously been shielded from the winter cold, and in my mind, the best way to do that is via a good sunless tanner.
My mother has been drilling the anti-tanning gospel into my head since I was a child, and as a result, I’ve rarely laid out and never been to a fake tanning bed, even in my early-2000s high school days. The only color I’ve ever had is from a bottle, more or less, and you can find a couple of my favorites below, as well as a couple I’ve heard on glowing recommendation from friends. A word to the wise, though: be careful about handling light-colored bags or clothing until you’re sure how they wear. (May we suggest the chicest beach bag ever? After all, skipping the sun will save you some money on skincare down the line.)
Michael Kors Santorini Raffia Tote
$495 via Net-a-Porter
Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel
$32 via Net-a-Porter
St. Tropez Self Tan Luxury Dry Oil
$50 via Sephora
Tan Towels
$24 via Sephora
Vita Liberata Rapid Tan Mousse
$43 via Sephora
For a safer alternative, I would suggest Perfekt Matte Body Perfection Gel. It gives gorgeous color, and does not contain DHA which is the active ingredient in most self-tanners. DHA is currently being investigated for potentially causing dna damage, which could promote the development of cancers.