the best self tanners

Brides often want that sun-kissed glow on their wedding day, but we all know the dangers of tanning beds and nobody wants to look like Anne Hathaway's character in Bride Wars. So we checked in with lifestyle expert and friend Maya of My Life as Maya to get the skinny on the best self tanners out there...For the Bod: Fake Bake Flawless Self-TanFake Bake is my ultimate favorite sunless tanner. I have tried EVERYTHING out there: Clarin’s, St. Tropez,  Tan Towels, you name it, I’ve used it, and Fake Bake blows everything else out of the water, especially for those super pale ladies like myself. Even with the advances that have been made in the self-tanner world, I still ended up looking orangey or even sort of greenish (what the hell, right?) with all other products because of how fair I am. With Fake Bake however, I got a gorgeous, natural looking bronze. Since discovering Fake Bake about two years ago, I have never used anything else. Fake Bake is also really well-priced at around $20; I have tried other tanning products that were $50 or more, and those can’t even come close to comparing. The other thing that I simply adore about Fake Bake is how easy it is to apply. The bottle comes with a tanning mitt and gloves, and the mitt allows for a smooth, even, and streak-free application. The color is immediately visible, which also works as a color guide so you can see if you are missing any areas. Another bonus, Fake Bake smells surprisingly good, and washes out of clothing if you happen to get it on your stuff. Try it, and I promise you will be hooked for life-and incredibly tan. Win!For Blending: Xen Tan Blending BalmI can not stress how important it is to have a good blending balm. Have you ever tried self tanner and ended up with dark, patchy knees, elbows, and ankles? That’s because you didn’t have Xen Blending Balm in your life. This yummy coconut scented balm is applied pre-tan to your dry areas, and can be used again after the tan application to blend problem areas like wrists, knuckles, etc. Seriously, Xen Blending Balm combined with Fake Bake is the most amazing power team, the super heroes of sunless tanning. Plus, Xen runs around $15 and lasts FOREVER.For the Face: St. Tropez Face TannerWhile I tend to think that a lot of products marketed specifically for the face are just a ploy to get consumers to spend more money on the same product they are buying for their body, St. Tropez’s Face tanning lotion really is amazing. I have super sensitive skin, and St. Tropez doesn’t dry me out or clog my pores. The color is pretty and not too orangey, and it smells light and clean. A little bit pricer than the Fake Bake or Xen considering the size of the tube, but absolutely worth it in the quest for the perfect faux tan. I hope that this helps! Remember that skin care is incredibly important, always wear an SPF to protect your skin (and prevent future wrinkles and sunspots!). Your body will thank you.images via bride wars, amazon, xen-tan, and sephora