Depending on when you were born, self-tanners may evoke flashbacks of orange-streaked skin, but in recent years they’ve stepped their game way up. Still, for all of their improvements, self-tanners can be daunting.I should know. As a dark-skinned woman who burns easily (not an exaggeration, I swear), I’ve always been equally intrigued and intimidated by self-tanners, which deepen and even out the skin tone temporarily via a chemical process. This year, I was determined to achieve a radiant, uniform skin tone without the “old-fashioned” sun damage. So I resolved to finally figure out fake tanning — and, in the process, to find the best self-tanners. With the help of experts, I compiled a list of 39 well-reviewed self-tanners to evaluate. Then I recruited a diverse panel of testers to slather on the 15 best ones. Together, we found three that deliver incredibly natural results: a tried-and-true gradual tanning lotion that’s great for beginners, a universally flattering foam for streak-free bronzing, and a luxurious mousse that quickly develops a rich, deep color.