7 Products to Keep Your Summer Glow

Commitment-phobes, this wash-off bronzer is for you. Its creamy tinted formula goes on like a dream, develops into a golden hue and comes off with soap and water. To use, apply with a tanning mitt in long, sweeping strokes and allow to dry for a few minutes before dressing. It’s safe for normal wear and formulated without DHA (the harsh coloring agent in most sunless tanners) so it’s ideal for sensitive skin.

Self-tanning can get, well, messy. There are the goopy formulas, overpowering scents and sticky residues. But with these travel-friendly towelettes, getting that radiant, Victoria Secret Angel glow has never been easier. Dry time is less than 5 minutes, and within 2-4 hours our skin developed a subtle, straight-off-the-beach radiance. The nifty wipes proved especially useful in evening out our summer tan lines.

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The telltale sign of a fake bake? Oompa Loompa palms. Save yourself the unsightly stain and subsequent Windex removal (hey, we've all been there), and slip on these handy mitts pre-application. They’re soft and washable, and lasted us through three weeks worth of applications.

The cardinal rule of self-tanning is to exfoliate your skin pre-application. Doing so will reduce dryness and help you develop a deeper and longer tan. Our all-time fave scrub is Coco Rose’s Herbivore Body Polish, which gently buffs while moisturizing with virgin coconut oil and Bulgarian rose concentrate. Plus, its cute packaging instantly chic-ified our shower stall.

Since salt can irritate some complexions, those with sensitive-skin might consider skipping the aforementioned scrub and opting for a body brush instead. Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan of this Aromatherapy Associates brush—a paddle-style buffer with natural Cactus Sisal bristles. It removes dead skin cells as it stimulates circulation and boosts lymphatic drainage.

The skin on your face is thin and delicate and therefore requires a different tanning formula than your body. Made with a blend of super soothing ingredients (think: coconut water, black tea extract and aloe vera), Josie Maran’s Self-Tanning Face Oil is as hydrating as your best moisturizer. The glow it imparts is very subtle (comparable to a swipe of bronzer) and you only need a dime-size amount (applied on your forehead, apples of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose and your chin) to get luminous coverage.

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Moisturizing is key for enhancing and extending the life of your tan. To keep your tan looking its best, slather on this after-sun moisturizer from NYC-brand Hampton Sun. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly and has a fresh beachy scent that doubles as a fragrance.