I have to admit that I've never been a staunch self-tanner. It's not because my dull skin couldn't use it, and it's not because I don't love a sun-kissed glow. It's because so many self-tanner formulas look streaky, smudgy, or too obvious on the skin. If I look orange or uneven, I'd rather go without it altogether.
It wasn't until a few years ago that I started using it more and more thanks to a certain Australian self-tanner that made my skin look better than any other self-tanner had before. I'm not kidding. Think smooth, even, glowing, believably sun-kissed skin. The best part? It only takes an hour to develop, so I don't have to sit around with sticky, potentially smudgy skin for hours on end or—worse—sleep with it and stain my sheets. Keep scrolling to see the underrated self-tanner that I, a self-professed picky and persnickety beauty editor, swear by!
The Editor-Approved Bondi Sands Self-Tanner
Bondi Sands' Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam 1 Hour Express is lightweight, airy, and mousse-like in texture. It doesn't feel heavy or leave a residue. It dries almost instantly upon application, which means there's no sticky and wet feeling and no potential smudges and streaks as a result. It even smells nice as far as self-tanner goes. With a light coconut scent, it doesn't smell overwhelmingly like DHA (the active ingredient in self-tanning formulas) the way others do. Oh, and I love the fact that it has a guide color. This means it looks bronze on the skin, so you can tell exactly where you've applied it and whether or not you've missed any spots.
As the name implies, I leave it on for one hour before I rinse off in the shower. When I step out, I have a natural-looking glow without streaks and smudges. It looks smooth, even, and like I just got back from a day on Bondi Beach. It's perfection.
I use the brand's Self-Tanning Mitt to apply the formula, working it in broad, circular motions for the most even, streak-free finish. While I honestly think any mitt or glove will work, this happens to be the one I have on hand (pun intended).
Product Details + Benefits
To sum it up, here are all the benefits of this Bondi Sands self-tanner:
- Lightweight foam texture
- Quick-drying, nonsticky formula
- Enriched with aloe vera
- Coconut scent
- Develops in one hour
Before & After
As you can see in these before-and-after pictures, the Bondi Sands self-tanner took my dull winter skin and transformed it into glowing sun-kissed skin… but in a believable way. I don't look orange and unnatural. There are no streaks and smudges—not even around tricky areas like the elbows, wrists, and underarms. It even disguised the redness that's always present on my cheeks from low-grade rosacea. Impressive, right? I guess good things don't always take time.
More Editor-Approved Products For Glowing Skin
Here's another Bondi Sands self-tanner that I keep in my bathroom cabinet. Honestly, I use it just as often as the Aero 1-Hour Express formula. It provides the same flawless finish, but it does take more time to develop—roughly six hours.
Use this cute little kit to embrace the TikTok-viral self-tanning contour trend. First, apply a pump of your favorite self-tanner to the mat. Then dip the dual-ended contour brush into it, applying it where you'd apply contour (on the cheekbones, under the jawline, along the sides of the nose, at the top of the forehead, etc.). Let it develop, and you'll have sculpted-looking skin without makeup.
If you're spending time and energy on a glow, more likely thank not you're planning to spend some time outside. Add Secret's Whole Body Deodorant to your cart, and thank me later.
This face moisturizer hydrates dry skin with an infusion of shea butter. At the same time, it slowly but surely delivers a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow.
The same can be said for this body version.
If you're looking to keep your skin flake-free and moisturized but want to skip a day or two of tanning formula, I can't recommend this body cream from Olay enough.
If you don't have time to self-tan, you can use this temporary body bronzer. It's transfer- and water-resistant, so don't worry about it sliding off and smudging.
Bondi Sands' Technocolor 1 Hour Express differs from the other formulas because it's tailored to unique skin tones and undertones. This one, for example, caters to cool tones. It won't read too warm or outright orange on fair to light skin tones.
The Emerald version is perfect for olive skin tones.
The Magenta version is great for those with olive to deep skin tones who want a rich, deep tan.
The Caramel version is perfect for those with deep skin tones who want a warm, golden tan.
