The One Word You Should Look For When Buying Self Tanner

The scariest part of using a self tanner is the general uncertainty of what will happen when the color develops. Even if you follow all the steps (exfoliate beforehand, wear a tanning mitt, and work in small, circular motions), if you're using the wrong formula, you can end up with a tan that's too dark or streaky.

If a subtle, barely-there glow is your objective, tanning expert Jordan Cook says it's best to use a gradual tanner. "There is such minimal room for error with a gradual tanner," Cook explains. "You're in control of development time, so you can use it for a few days in a row to build a tan, and then stop when you've reached your desired level of darkness. You're not going to get overnight results, but working in incremental layers means you're avoiding a big potential fail."

Ahead, find the best gradual — and natural, and buildable — sunless tanners to grab before bare-legs season is upon us.