A friend once told me she gauges how effective a beauty product is by how many compliments she gets while wearing it.

We all kind of do that, right? I mean, I know that if someone tells me they like my lipstick, I’m much more likely to wear it again.

In the past three weeks, every single person I’ve talked to has commented on how tan I am. My “normal” foundation shade is Revlon 001-Ivory. Yet, I am also able to naturally tan – albeit slowly. Because skin cancer runs on both sides of my family, I’m done with ‘authentic’ natural color. Bring on the SPF 50.

Problem is, I still prefer the way I look with a little sun. And this tan that everyone is commenting on? Yep, it’s from a bottle.

Let me get a few things straight:

No, a good self tanner will not turn you into an Oompa-Loompa.

Yes, it can be sort of messy.

No, it’s not (necessarily) expensive.

Yes, the color looks real.

Like every single other makeup product, the market is over saturated, especially as we’re coming into the summer months. But we’re here to help you sort it out! Below are our six favorite self-tanners that will fit every need (& budget!):

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1. Best Color – St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion

$40.00 at Sephora

I wrote a whole tutorial about this tanner a few summers ago. It’s messy and expensive but gives the absolute best, darkest color. If you’re looking for a super dark, believable tan after one application, then St. Tropez’s lotion is your goldmine.