Bo Derek Tested the Best New Bronzers–Just in Time for the Weekend

This is a winner in Derek’s book. The mist is “so easy, I’ve been using it constantly,” she says. “I’ve already applied it before photo shoots. It covers discoloration just as well as it tints.” It makes bronzing drier trouble spots, like knees, ankles and elbows, a breeze, she says. “I can lightly spray my neck and décolletage before I put on my clothes. I love it!”

St. Tropez | $20

The self-tanning oil leaves an immediate tint, and offers broad spectrum protection with SPF 50. “I liked how it felt on my skin,” Derek says. “Because [it seemed] so concentrated, I thought it might streak, but it didn’t at all.” The ease of application also wins points; it doesn't run all over the place as other liquids do, she says. 

Vita Liberata | $54

“The matte finish covers the white, gooey cast my heavy-duty sunscreen leaves behind,” Derek says of the makeup. “I’m a huge fan. It reminds me of a high-end tinted moisturizer. And the golden color really suits me.”

Benefit Cosmetics | $28

Derek admits to feeling nervous when she pulled out this sheet mask. Leave it on your face for five, 10 or 15 minutes and it’ll prompt a glow from skin in the following hours. “I left it on for just five minutes and later I could tell that I had used a self-tanner,” Derek says. Though the results weren’t streaky and the product performed well, the delivery system wasn’t Derek’s favorite: “I didn’t feel very in control.”

St. Tropez | $9

“I thought this product was really terrific,” Derek says of the soft, creamy powder. “I put on my sunscreen and then went over it with this sponge applicator. The powder seemed to have a little glow to it. And it went on evenly, too.”

Physicians Formula | $15

“I thought this product was interesting because you can mix it into your moisturizer,” Derek says. After spiking her nighttime cream with two drops of this self-tanner, she didn’t see a huge difference–and that’s a good thing. “The best tan is always that first fresh tan,” she says. “I think we have to think of self-tanners the same way: When you start layering and layering, it starts to look artificial.” After her test-drive, “I got a very subtle, pretty color with no streaking,” she says. Bonus: “It didn’t smell.”

$55