Tan skin? How does it stay?

When I'm with my friends I'm always the uber-tan one but when I go to the pool I look like a ghost compared to all those other girls! I really want to get dark like them, but they are probably all tanning bed users which I am strongly against. I just feel...weird when I look pale. I mean pale people are still pretty like all my friends and stuff but I like being dark. My skin tone is slightly deeper than others but I'm still white. I get tan pretty easily but it NEVER STAYS. I have to constantly be outside. Last summer I saw pictures of me and my face and everything was sooo dark but now I just feel white. Are there any spray/lotion self-tans that actually look like you are tan and not orange? I know I should love my body and all but I'm looking for serious answers guys. Any ways to keep my dark tan for a long time? Please help! Thank you all in advance!