10 grooming products our editors rely on to help them look their best, starting at $10
Wahl Stainless Steel Lithium-Ion Cordless Beard Trimmer
I've had this beard trimmer for about four years now, and I use it nearly every week. I love its ergonomic feel, and it's great at both trimming bulk in my beard and sharpening lines on my jaw. When we tested the best beard trimmers, it was our performance pick, and after years of additional testing, I can still see why. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor Read our review
Philips Norelco OneBlade 360
I love my Philips OneBlade. I have used this for years, and it still performs great. The 360 blade is great for getting all edges of my face, and the attachable comb is great for getting the perfect length. I have used tons of other razors in the past and somehow always manage to nick or accidentally cut myself, but with this razor, that has never been an issue. I also find that the battery life on this razor lasts a while, so I don't need to charge it very often. This is a major plus, especially when I'm traveling and need to touch up my facial hair but forget the charger. — Tyler Holender, social strategist
Kevin Murphy Powder Puff Volumizing Powder
The only way my hair ever looks as decent as it does is thanks to three things: my fantastic barber, Alexia Saras, and the two products I use whenever I need to impress. When it's time to get fancy, I sprinkle in a very light amount of Australian hair care brand Kevin Murphy's Powder Puff Volumizing Powder, which basically helps my hair come to life. Not to wax too poetic, but I always feel like this stuff is breathing a tiny gust of air into my hair. Then I put a little bit of that same brand's Rough Rider paste into my hair to lock that volume in. I've used the paste for a lot longer than the powder and have always loved how it keeps my hair looking matte and clean. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writer
Dollar Shave Club Shave Butter, 2-Pack
I didn't really care about what shaving cream I used until I tried Dollar Shave Club's Shave Butter. It becomes translucent when you rub it on your skin, so you can actually see where you're shaving. Plus, I've noticed no difference when it comes to smoothness from traditional shaving creams. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pet editor
Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 9000 21-Piece All-in-One Trimmer
The use I've gotten out of this all-in-one trimmer is terrific for under $100. Its main function is helping me maintain my beard when I rock one, but I've also used its attachments to shave my face, trim nose hairs and even pull off a full buzz cut. — Joe Bloss, associate testing writer
Gillette Fusion5 Power Razor for Men
I've been a proud bald guy for five years and counting, and have relied on this cheap Gillette razor to keep my head as smooth as a baby's for almost that entire time. Paired with a good shave gel, the Gillette Fusion5 glides softly and comfortably around my dome; I can probably count on one hand the rare occasions where I accidentally nicked myself. Sure, I have to pick up blade refills every few months, but that's still cheaper than what I was paying my barber to cut what was left of my hair — and certainly a less costly investment than those scary-looking dome shavers I always see ads for. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor
Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer
This was the daily moisturizer that got me serious about skin care, and I still haven't found anything better. It doesn't leave a sticky or heavy feeling after it's applied, and it doubles as a great daily sunscreen. — Joe Bloss, associate testing writer
Bevel Safety Razor
Most of the time I quickly shave my neck with my Wahl beard trimmer, but if I want to get a close, quality shave, I always reach for my Bevel Safety Razor. I love how simple its design is, how easy it is to clean and how close a shave I can get. Plus, replacement blades are ridiculously cheap, especially compared to more popular three- or five-blade replacements. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor
Leaf Shave Thorn Single-Edge Razor
There are pros and cons to shaving with a single-edge razor, and so far, Leaf has done the best job at convincing me it's a superior alternative to multi-blade cartridges. The angled head lightens the learning curve for new users. If you're looking to save money over the long haul with a sustainable shave, Leaf is worth a look. — Joe Bloss, associate testing writer
SinkShroom Ultra Bathroom Sink Strainer
I'm always shocked at just how much hair comes off my face when I trim my beard, and this little gadget helps me keep all that facial hair out of my drains. I keep it in my sink at all times, and it makes cleanup after shaving that much easier. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor What grooming products should men have?
What grooming products should men have?
Everyone's grooming routine is different, so the products in one man's routine may look completely different from what's in anothers. Some common grooming products include razors, beard oils, trimmers and aftershave.
What is a proper grooming routine for men?
What is a proper grooming routine for men?
A solid skin care routine is the foundation for any beauty or grooming routine. If you're someone who also likes to shave, Jake Murphy, a senior barber and manager at Ruffians Covent Garden, said in our guide to the cleanest shave that properly prepping your skin by cleansing it thoroughly should be the first step in the shaving process. The experts in that article then recommend following up with a moisturizer or an aftershave.
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, associate lifestyle editor Rachel Dennis rounded up some of the team's favorite grooming products.
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The best self-tanners we tested Best self-tanning mousse: Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam Best budget self-tanner: L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse Best self-tanning drops: Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face and Body Drops Best gradual tanning lotion: St. Tropez Gradual Tan Firming Lotion Sometimes the best accessory for any summer outfit is a golden and glowing tan. But as much as we love the bronzed and radiant look of a natural tan, we know that long-term sun exposure and skipping out on daily sunscreen application is not good for the health of our skin. Some of us — myself included — might also struggle to get any sort of natural color from the sun, as we're blessed with sensitive skin that will burn and peel if left unprotected. Self-tanners are an excellent option for getting a safe, quick and beautiful tan right from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you can use them long after summer ends to sustain your glow year-round. So, I set out to find the best self-tanners across several categories, testing 16 tanning products with the help of seven other CNN Underscored editors to find the formulas that offer the best color, user experience, longevity and value for every type of prospective tanner. Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam Offering solid color payoff, easy application and an approachable under-$25 price point, this Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam checked all of the boxes. The lightweight, smooth-spreading foam produced an even and natural-looking tan. Plus, there are three shade offerings, depending on how deep you want your color to be. L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse For around $15, it'll be tough to find another drugstore tanning mousse to rival the performance of this one from L'Oréal Paris. Our tester loved the light, nonsticky application, and she was impressed by how well the color held through workouts, showers and humid walks. Though you get only 5 ounces of formula, this buildable tan looks great with even just one coat. Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face and Body Drops Made with skin care-forward ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, these Isle of Paradise drops left our tester's skin feeling soothed. They subtly tinted her face, providing a healthy-looking glow. They're available in three shade options, all suited for use on the face and body. St. Tropez Gradual Tan Firming Lotion This St. Tropez tanner not only gradually tinted our skin but left it feeling hydrated. The clear formula won't stain your clothes or sheets, has a pleasant coconutty scent and builds over daily use for a natural- and even-looking tan. Foam and mousse tanners are best for those seeking more drastic bronzing results, but they can be intimidating for first-timers since they require more finesse to apply evenly. Our editors gave high marks to a few foams in our testing pool, but this Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam ended up in our top slot due to its solid mix of performance, versatility and affordability. Deals editor Jaqueline Saguin said this tanner spread seamlessly with a fluffy and foamy texture right from the pump, only using about three pumps for each section of her body. The tinted foam is easy to see as it glides over the skin, so you'll be able to tell where you need to even out stark lines or spot any accidentally missed areas. For best application with this and all other foam tanners, we recommend grabbing a self-tanning mitt to help smooth the formula over your skin streak-free. Anyone who has applied self-tanner before knows tanning products don't often have the greatest smell, but Saguin said the Bondi Sands foam smelled great with a nice, light coconut scent. After applying the tanner, Saguin lay in bed waiting for it to process, and she later noticed that the tan had transferred onto her duvet. Still, after letting it set and doing a final rinse in the shower, Saguin didn't see any odd lines or patchiness. 'Everything came out evenly,' she said. 'Even on parts of my skin that are affected by dryness or my eczema.' This self-tanner also earned points for not triggering any additional flare-ups on or causing irritation to Saguin's skin. The instructions say to allow this tan to develop over six hours for maximum color, but you can leave it on for less time for a lighter effect or apply a secondary coat after 30 minutes for even deeper color. Saguin said she already had a nice base tan when she did her first Bondi Sands application, so she only let the dark formula set for an hour. 'The next-day results were really beautiful,' she said. 'I definitely appeared more golden and more glowy than before, and I'm happy I didn't go longer than an hour, because the color is pretty intense from that timeframe alone.' The tan lasted three to four full days after the first application, and Saguin liked that you get a lot of formula at an approachable $24 price point. The 6.76-ounce bottle is enough to sustain four or five full-body tanning sessions, though you can also grab a 3.3-ounce bottle if you're hesitant to get the full size. Saguin used the dark formula for this test, but Bondi Sands also offers a light/medium option and an ultra-dark shade. 'I've used tanning mousses before, and this one offers the most immediate results out of the ones I've tried,' she said. 'But given the intensity of it, you have to have some patience with the application to ensure you don't miss any spots or leave any unblended lines.' Drugstore tanning formulations can be hit or miss, and those who have been tanning since the early aughts likely have a horror story or two about how one left them with legs the color of Cheetos. Luckily, this L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze mousse provided a nice, natural-looking glow for around $15, earning it the title of our best budget self-tanner. The light formula absorbed into the skin and dried quickly, without any lingering sticky residue. Managing editor Rachel Quigley noted that this mousse does have a slight smell, though it's not unpleasant and fades after the initial application. The mousse itself has a light tint, so you can track where you've applied it, and though the instructions say you can apply the tan with your hands, we still recommend using a mitt for clean and even application. You can let the tan develop for four to eight hours before rinsing it off or, for longer-lasting results, you can reapply it up to three times over a 12- to 24-hour window. After letting the tan develop for a few hours, Quigley said she didn't notice any streaks and was impressed by how the tan faded over the course of a few days. Even after doing a very sweaty workout, walking around on humid days and showering, the tan still held. Plus, there was no product transfer or staining on Quigley's sheets or clothes. With this price point and such quality performance, there are few options better than this self-tanner for those looking to get bronzed on a budget. 'I would absolutely buy this again; it's my new self-tanning go-to,' Quigley said. 'I usually use Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Lotion after I shower a few times a week for a natural build of tan, but if I needed an instant tan for a night out or something, then this is what I will be using.' Tanning drops are one of the newest innovations in the self-tanning world. Most drops are intended to use on the face for a seamless glow from head-to-toe, but part of the reason this Isle of Paradise formula earned a top spot is that it's suited for both the face and body. Available in light, medium and dark shades, this self-tanner develops over four to six hours and claims to last up to five days. Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal liked that this formula is made with skin care-forward ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for added hydration. 'It was pretty fragrance-free and felt like applying a serum,' she said. 'It's an easy way to build up your face tan while squeezing in some moisture too.' Unlike instant foaming self-tanners, the results with these drops are much more gradual. You can add more drops to your moisturizer for a deeper tanning effect too. This more-customized color control allows for greater versatility for both beginners and expert-level at-home tanners. We often wash our faces more frequently and vigorously than the rest of our body, so it's hard to tell just how well tanning drops stay over time. Gazal said these drops gave a natural, subtle glow that helped to even out the contrast between her face and body. 'I did feel like I had to apply more than the recommended two drops,' she said. 'But I think these are intended for a subtle tan, so it achieves that, hands-down.' While you can get other, more-immediate tanning results from cheaper foam tanners (like our favorite Bondi Sands one), these Isle of Paradise drops earn their $30 price point and a top spot due to their skin-soothing ingredients and customizable tanning options. Plus, unlike other drops in our testing pool, our tester liked that these didn't leave any sticky residue or smell behind while still giving the skin a nice glow. Gazal added that these drops are a great thing to keep in your beauty stash for the colder months when you want a sun-kissed boost to your look without too much effort. Daily tanning lotions are a great option for people who want a low-effort and slower-paced approach to tanning, and this St. Tropez Gradual Lotion was our favorite for painlessly building natural-looking color. Though its main job is to tint your skin, this tanner also claims to be able to take the place of your daily body lotion. Fashion and beauty editor Sophie Show found the St. Tropez formula to be lightweight, hydrating and nongreasy with a pleasant coconutty scent. True to its name, this tanner is very gradual, which makes it a good option for beginners who are hesitant to try an at-home tanner. Though experienced tanners can also glean great results from this easy-to-use formula. Shaw used this lotion for three days in a row and noticed that she was a couple of shades darker than her natural tone, though the color wasn't as noticeable in photos. Shaw tried the Light/Medium shade, but you can also grab a Medium/Dark variation for deeper skin tones, plus a tinted version and even a watermelon-scented option. Since the formula is clear, you don't have to worry about any color transferring onto your clothes, sheets or upholstered furniture. After the first application, Shaw said she noticed a bit of darker color around her knees, likely a sign they might have needed to be better exfoliated or hydrated before applying the tan. After three consecutive days of using this lotion, Shaw switched back to her regular body lotion, noting that the color held well during the break. She began reapplying the tanner after two days to maintain the built-up color. 'Because it's been so hot lately, I was worried that the tan would get patchy around my underarms and other areas where I get sweaty, but thankfully, it didn't,' she said. Though this lotion is $29, which is pricey for a daily lotion, the tube is pretty generous, yielding almost 7 ounces of product. Shaw said she has other body lotions that are in the same price range, and when it comes to self-tanners, she's happy to pay for the peace of mind that she won't end up resembling an Oompa Loompa. 'In fact, I told a beauty editor friend that I was testing a tanning lotion and she said it looked super natural,' Shaw said. 'I'm definitely going to continue using this and think it would be great all year round.' The assortment of products we tested includes editor-favorite formulas, internet-loved tanners and drugstore mainstays. Our panel of eight CNN Underscored staffers tried two formulas each, evaluating each product after consistent use over two weeks. Our testers have a range of skin types, tones and differing levels of familiarity with self-tanner. Here are the criteria we considered. Formula: Did the formula feel light or heavy on the skin? Did it have a sticky feeling or unpleasant smell? Was the formula clear or colored? Application: How long did the formula take to dry and set on the skin? Was it easy to spread? If the formula was a lotion, how moisturizing did it feel? Wear: How did the tan look the first day after application? Is the tan instantly noticeable or subtle? Does it look natural? How long did the color take to develop? Longevity: How many days did the tan last? Did it fade evenly or in patches? Did the tan transfer onto or stain any clothes, sheets or towels? Value: Do you think it's worth the price? Would you buy it again? Cosmetic chemists and founders of Chemist Confessions Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu said that the active ingredient in most self-tanners is dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. Despite the complicated name, this ingredient is essentially a simple reducing sugar, which reacts with proteins in the outermost layer of your skin to create brown-colored compounds called melanoidins. According to Fu and Lu, these melanoidins are what give your skin a deepened or more bronze-looking color. This sugar-protein reaction is called the Maillard reaction and is the same process that causes cookies to brown in the oven. The darkness of the color in self-tanner is often determined by DHA concentration, but Fu and Lu said that the type of product you use can also affect the final finish. For instance, mousse tanners tend to absorb more quickly into the skin, leaving you with an even finish and better color payoff than lotions or drops. You might see some self-tanners formulated with multiple types of sugars, which work together to help develop a longer-lasting and more even-looking tan. Fu and Lu also said that the self-tanning chemical reaction does generate free radicals in skin, so it can be a good idea to look for formulations that also have antioxidants like vitamin E. Some tinted self-tanners also include added hues for color correction, which can help prevent a generic, orange-looking outcome. Tanners with a green base, for instance, help counteract red undertones in the skin while purple or violet bases help to even out yellowness. While Fu and Lu said this doesn't greatly affect the final color of the tan, knowing which color to choose for your skin tone can help the end result look more flattering. They also noted that unlike DHA, the color-correcting elements in self-tanners don't react directly with your skin, so they won't have as much of a long-lasting effect. Self-tanners that are formulated with FDA-approved ingredients and manufacturing practices are safe to use, according to Fu and Lu, but because everyone's skin sensitivity is different, it's recommended to patch test a tanner on a small area of skin first before applying it to your entire body. Fu and Lu said that the DHA reaction only occurs on the outermost layer of skin, so your tan will fade naturally as these skin cells shed. When you're ready to remove your self-tan, exfoliants like glycolic or lactic acid can help soften the outermost layer of your skin and an exfoliating scrub or mitt can expedite the removal of dead skin cells that are holding on to the colored compounds. Tanologist Tinted Express Self-Tan Mousse Made with a tinted foam, it's easy to see exactly where you've applied this Tanologist mousse on your skin. It comes in three shades, and each one takes between one to four hours to develop. Shaw said the guide color for this tan came out of the bottle as a dark liquid but sheered out to a more medium bronze shade as she applied it with her mitt. 'I also found the guide color helpful when rinsing it off in the shower, because you could tell when you got everything off when the water ran clear,' she added. Though the guide color helps avoid patchiness, as with other kinds of tinted foams, you run the risk of transferring some of the color onto your clothes, which is why Shaw wore a black bathing suit during application. She let the tan develop for one hour before rinsing, but the instructions say you can leave it on up to four hours for a deeper tan. 'After I rinsed off the guide color, the tan it left behind was probably two to three shades darker than what I started with,' Shaw said. 'I think it looks pretty natural, and I'm happy with the results overall.' While the tan lasted a few days and looked natural, this product didn't stand out to us the way other tanning foams in our pool did. Though you get good value in this under-$20 bottle, Shaw noted that her bottle stopped producing foam after the first few pumps. While she could still get liquid out to continue tanning the rest of her body, this faulty packaging put a snag in her application process and kept this foam from earning a higher ranking. St. Tropez Self-Tan Express Mousse This instant tanner from St. Tropez was already an editor-favorite before we tested it for this guide. The creamy foam formula is easy to spread and left our tester with a natural, bronze glow. Though the formula was overall easy to apply, Gazal noted that it was easy to create streaky lines if you weren't paying attention. This tanner develops in just one hour but can be left on for two or three hours for an extra-deep color. This makes it a great pick for those who want a noticeable tan but have limited time to spare. Gazal said she was trying to achieve a lightly tanned look and wanted to even out some of her natural tan lines, so she only left the tan to marinate for an hour. Though the formula is quick drying, so you could easily build upon it if you'd like. '[The tanner] held up against two-a-day showers, fading gradually,' Gazal said. 'It took about a week for me to notice a real difference.' She noted that this St. Tropez tanner seemed to darken with time, even after rinsing it off. 'I wouldn't have used such a heavy hand if I clocked this; however, if your goal is to look noticeably different, this could be the self-tanner for you,' she said. While this tanner earned top marks for ease of use, speedy application time and providing great, natural-looking color, at $46, it's at the pricier end of the foam tanners we tested. If you're planning to apply a self-tanner regularly, you'll be able to get a few full-body tans from this St. Tropez bottle, but if you're just looking for a one-off instant glow, you can probably get by on more affordable options. 'A spray tan can cost anywhere between $50 to $100, and the St. Tropez is just under $50,' Gazal said. 'Is it worth doing it yourself versus getting a professional? It depends. If you don't have access to a spray tan site, I think the St. Tropez tanner is a solid choice.' Bali Body Streak Free Self-Tanning Mousse This ultra-dark tanning formula has a lightweight feel and is one of the quickest-drying tanners I've tried. While this means you don't get as much of that wet, sticky self-tanner feeling while applying, it also means you'll need to work faster in order to get the most coverage per pump. As a frequent self-tanner who has tried a few different formulations over the years, I was surprised this Bali Body formula hadn't come across my radar before. I let the tan develop for about eight hours overnight and rinsed it off in the morning. A lot of product came off in the shower, but considering this was an ultra-dark tanner, the overall finish was pretty natural-looking and not alarmingly orange, even on my pale skin. The final result was about three shades darker than my normal skin tone, and even my roommate was impressed by my deepened complexion. Prev Next The Bali Body tan lasted between four and five days before I felt like it was entirely gone, standing up against daily showering, sweating and workouts. The tan transferred a bit onto my white jeans the very first day of wear but still less so than other tanners I've tried. Plus, it only transferred onto areas where my skin was sweaty and not every place where my skin touched the white fabric. This tan faded nicely with no noticeable patching, though I think it looked the best after a few showers, when the color wasn't quite as intense. While I was overall impressed with this tanner, there are a few reasons it missed out on the top spot. For $33, I appreciated that you got a lot of payoff from this tan with only a few pumps. I could probably get at least five or six solid tans from this bottle, which is decent value, but it's still more expensive than some other tanners that can give you similar results for less. You can use this formula as an 'express tan,' but I don't think the color would have developed as much in just one or two hours. It's a bit inconvenient to wait six to eight hours for it to fully develop, but you can sleep with it on like I did (as long as you don't mind potentially risking staining your sheets or clothes). I also wouldn't recommend this tanner for beginners since it dries quickly and you need to blend it fast to prevent streaks. It's better suited for the seasoned self-tan users who aren't afraid of a more drastic color difference. Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self-Tanner Mousse Like the Bali Body tan, this Coco & Eve mousse felt super lightweight on the skin. It has a deeply pigmented formula that's easy to see when applying, but it sets quickly and can stain. 'Unlike most mousses, this one has a sort of ugly green-gray base, which helps avoid that dreaded orange tint, and it is not the final color payoff,' newsletter editor Lindsey Smith said. 'There was a slight tacky feel if I pressed my fingers to my skin but nothing too uncomfortable.' Smith added that once the tan was set and rinsed off, this sticky feeling went away. 'That said, I'd be nervous to sweat right after applying it, so it's best to stay indoors until it's fully dry and rinsed,' she said. While this tan is deep in color and develops quickly, there's a small margin for error. 'I thought I had exfoliated my elbows well and used a light hand, but there were still darker areas that gave away that this was a fake tan,' Smith said. Still, the tan stayed put after rinsing and through more-thorough showers, with the color lasting for over five days. Smith did note that the dark shade might have been a bit too much for her fair skin, and she spotted some transfer of the tanner onto her towels. 'If you're looking for a fake tan that gives the illusion you just got back from a 10-day vacation in Maui, and you feel confident in your full-body application skills, this is for you,' Smith said. 'I think it rivals a fake tan you can get at a tanning salon.' For $38, this Coco & Eve tanner is in the higher range of the tanners we tested. Smith said this mousse is best suited for expert self-tanners since it's pretty unforgiving and takes a skilled hand to get an even, streak-free tan. Another big downside of this tanner was the smell. 'I was pleasantly surprised by the scent when I first applied it because it didn't have that typical self-tanner smell,' Smith said. 'Unfortunately, the scent changed over time, and I ended up really disliking how it developed. I could smell it over 24 hours later and really hated it.' She also didn't notice any of the additional benefits this tan claims to provide, such as 'no cellulite,' 'anti-aging,' 'hydrating' or 'firming.' This tanner is also advertised as a natural self-tanner, and it's suggested to store it in the fridge when it's warm out instead in your bathroom. Isle of Paradise Express Self-Tanning Mousse A little bit went a long way with this tinted tanning mousse from Isle of Paradise. Our tester liked that you could see the foam as you applied it, though it took a bit of time to work into the skin and left a very subtle scent on the initial application. 'It definitely felt sticky after application, and since you have to sit and wait before rinsing off, it's a little uncomfortable,' said updates writer Ellen McAlpine. 'It felt more comparable to a spray tan experience, where you have to start off clean and moisturized, then sit and wait for it to develop, and then rinse off.' She added that after rinsing the tan off in the shower, she could see an immediate, more-deepened appearance in her skin tone. Sticky application aside, McAlpine was pleasantly surprised with the staying power of this tan. '[It] didn't budge after a few intense workouts when I was sweating quite a bit,' she said. 'It lasted workouts, a beach weekend and a good few showers. It didn't get patchy either.' At $35, it's at the higher end of self-tanners we tried, but the express formula does develop in just 30 minutes. McAlpine kept it on a bit longer to see if she could get a deeper color and was overall impressed by the results. However, we still prefer the more affordable Bondi Sands tanner that will give you the same polished finish with a more comfortable application. Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse The least expensive of all the mousse self-tanners we tested, this drugstore option from Jergens provides an impressive amount of color payoff for as little as $13. Social coordinator Gabriella Triolo liked that this formula has very little fragrance and didn't leave a tacky or wet sensation on her skin. Offered in light, deep and ultra-deep shades, Triolo said the deep shade of this tanner gave her skin a natural-looking finish. However, this tanner failed to impress us with its longevity. After a few days, Triolo said the tan starts to fade in splotches, and you'll need to scrub down and start fresh before reapplying. Still, this Jergens tanner is a cheap and accessible option that can be a good choice for those looking to dip their toes into the world of fake tanning, but it won't rival the staying power of some of the other options in our testing pool. Lux Unfiltered N°12 Tanning Face Drops Sunstruck A little bit goes a long way with these Lux Unfiltered N°12 Tanning Drops. The tinted formula was easy to apply and track as our tester spread it over her face. Though the application was simple, Quigley said she found the formula to be a bit runny. 'Because it was so watery, it was hard to control the flow of it, so it spilled a lot,' she said. Quigley also wasn't a fan of the formula's fragrance, which she described as 'citrusy metallic.' Though the smell itself was unoffensive, she didn't appreciate that it lingered for hours after. The drops made her skin feel sticky and a bit dry after application too. The next-day results were also lackluster, reading more streaky and splotchy than evenly tanned. In the end, she felt $46 was too much to spend on these drops. While Quigley liked the subtle shimmer these drops gave her skin, she noted that you can duplicate this effect easily with other less expensive products. Lux Unfiltered also offers a classic, clear version of these drops — which lacks the shimmer effect — that other editors have tried and praised outside of this test. Saltyface Tanning Water This Saltyface Tanning Water stays true to its name with a loose, liquid consistency that makes it incredibly easy to blend and covers the entire face with just a few drops. Saguin noted it can be a little hard to control this formula due to its consistency. The tanning water is also clear, so it's hard to tell whether you've covered every spot on your face and neck evenly. As per the instructions, Saguin applied the water as the final step of her skin care routine before going to bed. She only used one dropper full of liquid mixed into her moisturizer and woke up with a tan about two shades darker than the day before. 'The first day looked great, but it actually faded drastically after that full day,' Saguin said, also adding that none of the tanning water transferred onto her pillowcases or sheets during the night. While Saltyface does offer two shades for these drops, for $44, they are a bit too expensive, especially considering they're only intended for use on the face. Tanologist Sunless Tanning Drops Though our tester had good results with other products from the Tanologist line, she didn't love these drops and struggled with the overall user experience. Triolo said these tanning drops had an off-putting smell and left her skin feeling tacky, sticky and even slightly irritated. She also struggled to notice any sort of color development on her skin. Having a comfortable-to-wear formula is important for gradual and daily tanners since you want to be able to tolerate applying them day after day. While these drops were no more difficult to apply than the others we tested, they didn't moisturize or absorb into the skin as well. Tanologist offers these drops in light, medium, dark and extra-dark shade options that work for both the face and body, but for $20, you're better off opting for the Isle of Paradise drops or another daily tanner or instant foam to develop a noticeable, full-body glow. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer Several of our editors are big fans of this daily tanning moisturizer from Jergens and admit to using it year-round when they need a subtle glow. Smith appreciated the lightweight and pleasant-smelling formula, which is easy to rub into the skin. 'I love that it sets quickly and leaves no sticky residue,' she said. 'It did feel moisturizing, especially compared to other self-tanning lotions, but I never saw any of the firming benefits it advertised.' Since this is a gradual self-tan lotion, the results weren't immediate, but after a few hours, Smith could see a subtle, natural tan on her arms and legs. 'I love that it didn't look orange and looked exactly like a real tan,' she said, adding that the formula is pretty forgiving if you miss a spot or forget to exfoliate beforehand. To reach her optimal shade, Smith applied this lotion regularly for two days. She said the tan lasted a solid four to five days and appeared much more subtle in photos than in real life. This moisturizer very nearly earned the top spot for our best gradual tanning lotion. While you'll be hard-pressed to find another $10 tanning lotion that performs as well as Jergens', be wary that the color development can be inconsistent and you might notice some patchiness as your skin rubs against your clothing. Still, it's a great option for first-time self-tanners, budget-conscious shoppers or those who aren't super confident in their ability to apply an even self-tan. Plus, seasoned tanning pros can also enjoy the benefits of this daily lotion. Tanologist Daily Glow Hydrating Gradual Tanning Lotion This clear Tanologist lotion was easy to spread over large areas, and for $13, you get a good amount of product. However, the formula was a bit runny and our tester wished it were more hydrating on the skin. This Tanologist Gradual Tanning Lotion had a loose, watery texture. While it spread easily, it wasn't as creamy and hydrating as I'd like my daily lotion to be. If you're looking to help relieve dry skin, you'll still want to follow up with a thicker lotion after applying this tanner. There was no overpowering smell, which I appreciated, but I could still sniff out an ever-so-faint, tanning cream scent. The results from this tanner were most noticeable on the first day after the initial application and built much more subtly over the subsequent days. After three or four days of nightly post-shower application, I felt like I had maxed out the color development possible with this lotion. I might have been able to get a deeper color, but since I shower daily, I felt that I ended up washing a lot of the color away before it had a chance to build. After I stopped applying this daily, the color faded completely in about two days. The instructions say to wash your hands thoroughly after applying this lotion, and though I did this, I wish I had washed them even better. The formula really gripped on to the spaces between my fingers and under my rings, rendering them about three shades darker than the rest of my tan. Because the formula is clear and quick drying, it makes it hard to see if there is still lingering cream sitting in these areas and if you've applied an even coat over your body. This Tanologist lotion won't get you as dark as a tanning foam, but it might be a good option if you're looking to extend a base tan or bump up the longevity of another formula. If you can keep it from clinging to your hands and feet, the glow is natural-looking and my tan faded pretty evenly too. Plus, I didn't notice any transfer onto my clothes, even the ones I put on right after applying. I'd recommend this product to those looking to dabble in self-tanners for the first time who don't want to spend a ton or those who want a glowy boost before a special event. The longevity is not as good as other formulas, but for $13, I was satisfied with the 'healthy and hydrated' glow this gave my skin. Luna Bronze Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturizer This Luna Bronze moisturizer was fairly lightweight on the skin but took a bit of work to fully rub in, and our tester found the scent a touch too overpowering. Because this Luna Bronze formula is clear, it's difficult to see what spots you might have missed. 'I tried applying it both by hand and with a mitt to see if one worked better than the other, but it got the mitt gross and didn't work well,' McAlpine said. You'll also have to reapply this lotion multiple days in a row to get it to show up fully, and McAlpine noticed it gave her skin a bit of an orange hue. After it was blended, the formula left a clear finish on the skin and a sweet citrusy fragrance. Though if you plan to cover your whole body, the scent can become a little overpowering, according to McAlpine. The tan lasted about two to three days before the fading became severe. 'As it started to fade, it got patchy, especially on higher sweat areas like my chest, bra lines and the backs of my knees,' McAlpine said, adding that the patchy areas were also difficult to remove in the shower. McAlpine wasn't impressed in the end, and instead, she recommends grabbing a tanning mousse for easier application and more consistent coverage, then following up with a body oil post-rinse to emulate this lotion's moisturizing effect — both of which will still run you less than the Luna Bronze with its $34 price tag. The following FAQs have been answered by cosmetic chemists Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, and assistant editor and longtime self-tanner Jillian Tracy. How long does self-tanner last? How long does self-tanner last? While some self-tanning formulas claim to last between 10 days and two weeks, none of the tanners we tested lasted this long. Most tanners lasted about four or five days with regular sweating and showering before their color completely faded. The self-tanning mousses we tested tended to have longer wear times with just a single application, but you can use a gradual self-tanning lotion daily to build deeper color over time too. Just be aware that the color payoff for lotions is typically not as dark or as even as it is with foams. Is tanning mousse or spray better? Is tanning mousse or spray better? Both tanning mousses and sprays can give your skin a bronzed finish. Our team only evaluated mousse and lotion formulas during this round of testing, but in my personal experience, I've found that mousse and foam formulas tend to give you better application control, since you can manually spread the tanner over your skin using a mitt. This ensures no spots are missed and that the application looks even across your body. Spray formulas are trickier to get even due to the aerosol design, and you run the risk of accidentally misting color onto your shower or bathroom walls too. Can you put self-tanner on your face? Can you put self-tanner on your face? Self-tanners have come a long way over the past few years, and there are plenty of face-specific self-tanning products to choose from. Fu and Lu said that, typically, face self-tanners will be milder in formulation and more mindful of excluding potentially comedogenic ingredients. I recommend our self-tanning drops winner, the Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face and Body Drops for adding a slight glow to the face. However, Fu and Lu added that you can still use body self-tanner for your face if your skin isn't super prone to sensitivity. How should you apply self-tanner? How should you apply self-tanner? Everyone has their own methodology for self-tanning, but these are the steps we followed to apply self-tanners during testing. Before you apply your self-tanner of choice, exfoliate your skin in the shower. Fu and Lu said that exfoliating before using the tanner will help the DHA react with healthy, longer-lasting skin cells instead of ones that are more ready to fall off. Pay extra attention to particularly dry areas like your feet, ankles, elbows and knees, as self-tanner tends to settle more deeply into those areas. For those areas, you can apply a small amount of fragrance-free moisturizer for extra hydration ahead of applying self-tanner. You may also feel inclined to shave and or wax as part of your exfoliation routine, but I recommend doing this at least 24 hours before applying any tan. Ensure your skin is free from any other products like perfumes, deodorants and sunscreens, as these can interfere with the tanner's application. Apply the self-tanner using a tanning mitt and allow it to dry and develop in accordance with the listed instructions. Wait the allotted amount of time for your tan to develop to your liking — this might be two to three hours for express tans or six to eight hours for other formulas — and then gently rinse away any excess product in the shower. On the first rinse, refrain from using any scrubs or soaps, as these can fade your tan. Simply rinse until the water runs clear and then pat your skin dry. Also, be careful when drying with light-colored linens, as tans are still prone to transfer and stain after the first rinse. To help us decide which self-tanner was best, we organized a testing panel consisting of eight CNN Underscored staffers with different skin types and tones, and varying levels of experience with at-home self-tanning. Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal has a medium skin tone that skews more olive in the summer. She tans easily and can get one to two shades darker from a nice session in the sun. She never really uses self-tanners, only reaching for a gradual lotion in the winter when she's feeling pale, but she likes a hydrating and natural-looking formula. Updates writer Ellen McAlpine has fair skin with red undertones. She doesn't tan naturally and normally burns. She's been self-tanning for over a decade and uses a self-tanner almost every week year-round, preferring unscented and green-toned tanning formulas to counter her redness. Managing editor Rachel Quigley has olive skin that tans easily. She can naturally get two to three shades darker than her baseline tone but has been using self-tanners for over 25 years. She likes easy-to-apply, scent-free formulas that don't streak and uses an instant tanner about once a week in the summer and a buildable tanning lotion a few times a week in the winter. Deals editor Jacqueline Saguin has a medium skin tone with neutral undertones. She can normally get one to two shades darker naturally but has been using self-tanners seasonally on and off for the past five years. Beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw has a light-medium skin tone and can naturally get two to three shades darker in the summer, even without trying to tan. She's never used self-tanners before but favors a low-maintenance formula that's gradual and buildable. Newsletter editor Lindsey Smith has fair skin with olive undertones. She naturally can tan one to two shades darker than her natural tone but usually reaches for a self-tanner about once a month. She's been using self-tanners for over 20 years and prefers natural-looking formulas without a strong scent. Associate editor Jillian Tracy has fair skin and tends to burn. She can naturally get one to two shades darker but uses self-tanners about every week and a half during the warm weather seasons. She's been self-tanning regularly for over 10 years and prefers quick-drying formulas that fade evenly. Social coordinator Gabriella Triolo has olive skin and can get a few shades darker naturally. She doesn't rely on self-tanners regularly but has used them seasonally in the past. For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on self-tanning products. Victoria Fu, skin care chemist, cofounder of Chemist Confessions and coauthor of 'Skincare Decoded' Gloria Lu, skin care chemist, cofounder of Chemist Confessions and coauthor of 'Skincare Decoded' CNN Underscored has a skilled team of writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, eight CNN Underscored staff members, including associate editor Jillian Tracy, personally tested each of the self-tanners featured to find the very best options.
The Verge
13-08-2025
- The Verge
Here's a look at the final Pebble Time 2 design
Now that Pebble is Pebble again, we're getting an official look at the new Pebble Time 2 that'll ship to customers later this year. (We got a sneak peak back in March, but those were preliminary designs.) The designs were posted today by Core Devices CEO Eric Migicovsky on his blog and YouTube. The Time 2 will come in four colors, though they haven't been finalized that yet — Migicovsky says the company is looking for input from Pebble fans. The device will feature stainless steel front, back, and buttons resembling those from the Pebble Time Steel. There'll also be multicolor RGB backlighting, a second microphone, screw-mounted back cover, and a compass. It also weighs about 48 grams with the strap, and 32.5 grams for the case itself. This is in addition to the specs that were previously teased, like a 1.5-inch 64 color e-paper display, touch screen, standard 22mm straps, heart rate monitor, and 30-day battery life. 'This is basically the watch of my dreams,' Migicovsky says in the video. So far, the design evokes the same minimalist feeling as the original Pebble Time, but with a sleeker profile and rounded edges. Compared to the slightly more dressed up Pebble Time Steel, the bezels on the new Pebble Time 2 are also significantly smaller. The glass is also flatter, so there's less reflection when viewed from an angle. In his blog, Migicovsky notes that folks who want to switch orders from the Pebble 2 Duo don't have to do anything special. There'll be a survey sent out to those who have pre-ordered in the next month or so. Here's a gallery that you can ooh and ahh over in the meantime. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Victoria Song Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gadgets Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smartwatch Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Wearable
