CAN’T get to the beach this summer? That’s no excuse for looking pale. There are literally thousands of products and treatments to get you that sun-kissed look in a jiffy.
We tested six of the most popular urban tanning fixes on the market today to find out which ones yield the best results. We also asked Dr. Heidi Waldorf, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, to weigh in on each procedure. Here is what we found:
Tanning bed
At: Portofino Sun Tanning Center: 38 E. 58th St., Suite 2, (212) 355-2772
Price: $35 for 30 minutes
Color: natural tan
Feels: hot
Lasts: as long as a natural tan lasts
Pluses: no messy creams and sprays
Minuses: not for the claustrophobic
Dr. says: “There is no safe tanning bed! Just say no!! They can cause premature aging and skin cancer.”Star rating: One
Airbrush tan
At: Completely Bare: 103 Fifth Ave., between 17th and 18th streets, (212) 366-6060
Price: $75
Color: subtle golden tan
Feels: slightly sticky for the first few hours
Lasts: 48-72 hours
Pluses: super-even airbrush application, no streaks
Minuses: short-lived, for the price
Dr. says: “While there’s no ultraviolet damage to the skin, it’s unclear if inhaling the spray tan is a problem.”Star rating: Three
Bronze leafing (exfoliation and self-tanner application)
At: Acqua Beauty Bar: 7 E. 14th St., between Fifth Avenue and Union Square West, (212) 620-4329
Price: $110
Color: medium tan
Feels: looks and feels like mud
Lasts: 5-7 days
Pluses: smells delish
Minuses: turned our tester’s armpits green
Dr. says: “This is very time-consuming, but you don’t have to worry about inhaling fumes.”Star rating: One
Sunless tanning towelettes
From: Estée Lauder, at department storesPrice: $22.50 for 10
Color: super-subtle
Feels: very chemical
Lasts: five days Pluses: fool-proof application
Minuses: perhaps too subtleDr. says: “Great for applying or touching up a self tan.”Star rating: Two
Terracotta bronzing powder in “Secret Gold”
From: Guerlain, at department stores
Price: $50
Color: shimmery bronze
Feel: weightless
Lasts: until you wash it off
Pluses: only use it on days you want to be tan
Minuses: may be too shimmery for daytime
Dr. says: “Bronzing powder is a makeup, so it’s safe.”Star rating: Four stars
