Having a fake tan disaster is a rite of passage, and we’ve all been there…
From streaky legs to bright orange faces, getting the technique down to a T takes time and effort – but reading this blog only takes two-minutes and we’ve got all the tried and tested tips you want…
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate…
Let’s start with the fact your skin sheds between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells – Every day.
Sadly, those dead skin cells don’t just all fall away in the shower… and if they go unexfoliated, or buffed away, trying to apply tan on top may look okay while the product is wet, but will quickly look patchy, uneven and dry within hours of application.
Using a dry brush or a salt or sugar-based product are great ways to ensure your skin is as fresh as possible to give your tan the ultimate canvas to do it’s work.
A scrub is best applied to dry skin, paying particular attention to elbows, feet, ankles and the front of your armpits.
To shave or not to shave …
The short answer here is not right before tanning. Shaving, waxing or any type of hair removal can open the pores in your skin, causing those little and annoying brown dots on your legs.
These pesky spots are one of the biggest questions asked about tanning and how to avoid them, and the trick is to shave at least 24 hours before tanning.
But if you’ve left it too late, don’t panic! Sometimes having a cold shower after shaving can close those pores up making it less likely for the tan to get caught in them.
When tanning …
Get your favourite film on and let’s get tanning! Get about three pumps of your chosen tanning mousse into a tanning mitt, close the mitt to spread the tan all over and start with your legs.
When applying, move in circular motions from the bottom of your leg (avoiding the foot for now) to create a smooth tan. Applying it up and down can lead to streakiness. Most tans have a guide colour so you can quickly spot if you’ve missed a spot.
A good rule to follow is so build up in layers, so try to do 2 thin coats than over-do it in one go.
Once your legs are done, take the mitt with the remains of the fake tan you have and apply to your feet and between your toes. Doing this with less fake tan on your mitt will create a more even and natural look.
Work your way up your body in those circular motions (doing the same technique with your hands and face as with the feet) and you’re done!
Different tans take different times to take, so check the bottle of what you’re using and follow their advice.
Have some loose, dark clothing nearby to put on after if you need to go straight out. Leave the bra and socks off too – Flip flops are the best footwear to stop the tan rubbing off while it’s still developing. Oh, and think about your bed sheets. Most tans work best overnight, so put a dark towel down to save your sheets.
Post-tan
To keep your tan looking fresh, make sure to moisturise regularly, focusing on dryer areas of your skin – elbows, knees hands and ankles. When it’s time to take it off, exfoliation is still your best friend. Get your scrub or exfoliation tools and get to work. Happy tanning!
