OK. We've done gradual tanning lotions, tinted tanners, mousse tanners, and spray tans in the booth. Now it's time for the "airbrush" category.

Or, if you prefer, the "tan in a can."

Tan Airbrush In a Can was the first ModelCo product I tried; I've since become addicted to their other "in a can" offerings, like the moisturizer.

Tan in a Can (I know the word Airbrush is in there, but doesn't "Tan in a Can" sound so much better?) is a tinted mist with a 360 degree nozzle, enabling you to cover even hard-to-reach spots like the center of your back. The tint is a dark golden tan with no shimmer; it requires some effort to smooth it out, so the application isn't exactly hands-free, but the result is lovely, even on its own before the real tan develops. In fact, I went out one night with this on, prompting my friend B to send me the following text message: "U r already tan! Don't rub it off!"

Tan in a Can dries almost instantaneously, feels like you're wearing nothing, and develops into a great looking tan underneath within a few hours. It smells great at first, like vanilla cookies, but takes on an odd quality over the hours. Nadine Baggott likened it to a "stale biscuit tin," and I rather agree; there is something very strange about the combination of vanilla + metallic smell + DHA. But, in the end, it's tolerable and definitely worth it.

Just be sure to seclude yourself somewhere far away from furniture, clothes, and anything white, because, oh boy, you will make a mess. I once coated myself with Tan in a Can in a hotel shower, and it looked like the Janet Leigh shower scene from Psycho, only 20 years later, with the blood spatters having dried on the tiles. I felt sorry for the maid who would have to see that, so I ended up hosing down the shower myself. It was rather frightening.

Fake Bake Month Official Rating

Scent: 3
Color: 5
Texture: 5
Drying Time: 5
Neatness: 1
Bonus Points: 3 (for the "streakless" tint)

Total Rating: 22/30