If you are not someone who appliesย fake tanย regularly, there can be a lot of trial and error in getting it right.
Having used self tanner every week for the last 8 years, I have had my fair share of tanning mishaps and things going terribly wrong. My routine has evolved over time and I have a good understanding of what works and what doesnโt when it comes to getting bronzed.
With so many tanning products available on the market it can take time to understand what will work best for you.
If you want to get the most out of yourย fake tan, there are a number of self-tanning tips and tricks to use in order to get and maintain a flawless look.
9 of the Best Self-Tanner Tips
1. Exfoliateย
Kicking off our list of
I find self-tanner typically lasts a week and towards the end of the 7 days it can become quite patchy.
Start your routine by having a warm bath and gently exfoliating your skin with a mitt. The hot water softens your skin and allows the existing tan to be removed more easily.
Once you have removed any existing self-tanner or exfoliated any dead skin, wait a day or a minimum of 5 hours before applying your new layer of tan. Skin tends to be quite sensitiveย after exfoliating and applying tan immediately after can irritateย and sting. Also, I findย fake tanย doesnโt apply as well on freshly exfoliated skin.
If needed, shave your legs before you apply theย self tanner. Shaving them after the fact tends to scrape much of the tanner off with it.
2. Moisturise Dry Areas
For dry-prone areas such as elbows and knees and hands and ankles, it is recommended to place moisturiser on at least a day prior before you apply the self-tanner. The self-tan product can cling to drier areas and can end up looking relatively darker or stained than the rest of your body and is harder to remove.
Apply a small pump of moisturiser on dry areas and allow it to absorb into the skin before applying your self-tanner.
3. Use a Foam Tan
Over time you will begin to understand what self-tanner works best for you.
My experience using many different types of products and formulas, I have come to have a preference for foam tanners or tanning mousse over spray bottles.
Why? You can use a small pump of the foam which spreads over an area nicely. A spray bottle tends to run out quickly and can take a while to absorb into the skin.
Consider some of the best-rated foam tanners below or check out my full list of favourite foam tanners.
4. Use a Self-tanning Mitt
There is not a more obvious sign of wearing self-tan than bright orange-stained hands. This is why I wouldnโt dream of applying self-tanner with my hands. The solution is to get yourself a good quality tanning mitt.
A self-tanning mitt allows for a streak-free application and makes the process a breeze.
5. Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes
This should go without saying, but there is no worse feeling than putting on a tight pair of jeans straight after applying self-tanner. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can also end up removing some of the tan or leaving lines where the jeans fold.
It is always recommended to wear dark, loose-fitting clothes after you apply a
6. Tan Maintenance
This is probably one of the most important
One of the best ways to extend a new coat of tanner is applying moisturising tanning lotions every 2 โ 3 days after initial application.
Not only does it keep your skin hydrated (if you are someone with naturally dry skin), but also maintains the colour of your tan as, without it, it would begin to gradually fade from showering.
I have tried a few brands of tanning moisturiser but find thatย Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion โ Medium to Darkย provides the most natural glow.
7. Protect Your Sheets!
Tanning overnight can be a convenient way to avoid being sticky and uncomfortable throughout the day if you have applied a fresh layer of self-tan.
While itโs great waking up with a deep tan, it can also stain your sheets or even mattress if you are not careful.
There are a few options to safeguard your bed from
- Place down a mattress cover
- Use old sheets or towels
- Buy aย silk sheet slip
- Wear full-length pyjamas
8. Mix Up Your Face Tanner
If you want to use a self-tanning product on your face, I would strongly recommend you dilute it with aย serumย orย moisturiserย โ especially if it is your first time using the product.
I have tried several face tanners and almost all of them turn out to look much darker than expected. Add 1 -2 drops of your favourite moisturiser or serum and wash off when the colour has developed. You can then adjust your drops depending on the colour you are looking to achieve.
Related Read: 9 of the Best Self-Tanners for Face for a Natural-Looking Glow
9. Use a Lighter Shade on Hands and Feet
I will often use
Wrap Up
Whether you are a tanning beginner or looking to improve your routine, these are some practical
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