How To Do A Quick Self-Tan Without Streaks (2025)

There’s nothing like having a date night on the calendar or a girls’ weekend away with some old college friends, and looking in the mirror and realizing that you forgot to do a self-tan. For those who have been doing the whole self-tanning game for a while, you've probably been able to get things down to a science that doesn’t take a lot of time and leaves you looking sun-kissed and glowy.

If you’re new to self-tanning and want to achieve a well-blended and healthy-looking faux tan, but you have a few questions regarding the best formula for fair skin, how long you should leave it to dry, and breastfeeding with a self-tanner on your skin, we’ve got all the information you need.

What’s the best formula for fair skin?

There’s nothing like having fair skin and seeing beautiful bronzed skin around you during the summer months, and feeling like you stand out like a sore thumb. If you have fair skin and want to do a quick self-tanning routine that results in a natural glow, Luna Bronze recommends a self-tanner that offers a tan that darkens your skin gradually while also providing intense hydration. The tanning skincare brand also advises that individuals with fair skin start out by just going for a shade or two darker than their natural skin tone to ensure a more subtle tanned look.

When you’re someone with fair skin who’s doing a quick self-tan at home, you’ll find that the tanning lotion applies more evenly to freshly exfoliated skin that’s also been brought back to life with an oil-free moisturizer. If you’re looking for a super affordable and hydrating gradual tanning lotion, you might try the Jergens Natural Glow + Firming Self Tanner. For your face, you might want to try the Isle of Paradise Face Self-Tanning Drops in light for a gradual glow that comes from just adding a drop or two to your daily moisturizer.

How long does it take to dry?

One of the most important steps in achieving a streak-free self-tan is giving yourself enough time to properly dry. According to a top self-tanning retailer, Glow Dry Australia, it’s important to allow the self-tanner to completely dry on your skin after applying, because you want to give the active ingredients time to fully develop and absorb into the top layer of skin and darken to a natural-looking tan.

It can be helpful to the entire process if you spend time exfoliating your skin, especially your elbows and knees, to ensure they’re smooth and won’t allow for excess product buildup. It depends on what type of tan and formula you’re using, but for a quick self-tanning session, you’ll want to refrain from getting dressed for anywhere from 10 minutes up to an hour. The development time also varies depending on your go-to self-tanning product, but if you go for a quick-developing formula, you may be able to rinse it off in an hour or two.

Can I breastfeed after applying tanner?

Some moms who are trying to come back into themselves and feel more confident will opt for using a self-tanner because it can even out their skin tone and allow them to look more glowy and healthy-looking without catching those harmful UV rays that can come with spending a few hours in direct sunlight.

If you’re someone who is breastfeeding, you might be curious about whether you should apply a self-tanner before feeding and if that’s safe for your baby. StMoriz.com notes that it’s best to avoid putting a self-tanner on your chest and breast area while you’re breastfeeding. If you abstain, it protects your baby from ingesting any potentially harmful ingredients that may be in the self-tanning lotion while also protecting your skin in that area, which may have changed and become more sensitive after pregnancy.