Beauty 101.

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Subtle Bronze

Foolproof, streakless self-tanner. By Patricia Tortolanii

Wearing self-tanner is like buying a Gucci bag on eBay--you don't realize it looks fake until the deal is sealed. But a new type of sunless tanner makes the process easy enough to be part of a morning routine and natural enough to look authentic. These gradual formulas combine a reduced level of the dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and erythrulose found in conventional tanners (1 to 3 percent instead of up to 8 percent) with hydrating ingredients to make skin just one tone darker after four to five applications. "The high level of DHA in regular self-tanners can be drying," says Diane Berson, a New York City dermatologist. "These new lotions can also be used as everyday moisturizers," which is exactly where you'll find them at the drugstore-just look for words like "daily," "gradual," or "skin-tone enhancer" on the labels. And when a special occasion calls for deeper, more dramatic color, Scott Barnes, the makeup artist who's given Jennifer Lopez her trademark sheen, suggests enhancing your tan with a ...