I love to have a bit of color and I love the sun but I also worry about how damaging the sun is to my skin.  My current favorite self tanner is made my Alba and runs about $9.95 for 4oz.  It is super moisturizing and was fabulous in the dry months of winter.  I never have any streaking issues and it gives me a great golden color – nothing orangey.  It definitely has a light tanning product smell but it’s not horrible.  I use it as often as once a day for a darker color.

I recently picked up Nature’s Gate self tanner (which runs around $8.99) but wasn’t as nearly impressed as I have been with Alba.  So, if you’re debating between the two, definitely go with Alba.  The Nature’s Gate is not as emollient as Alba, which I thought may be nice for summer, but in the end I found I liked the creamier one and also noticed some streaking and un-even areas with NG.  I also don’t like how it settles in cracks – like the under side of my elbows or in my cleavage.  The Alba product didn’t do that.  So, as soon as this tube is gone I’ll be back on the Alba tanner