10 Fake Tan Tips
I don't naturally tan. Way before it was frowned upon, about thirty years ago, I really tried. Time and again. I even put tanning oil on every day for a month on holiday in the States, and I came home just as pale. My family say I have elephant skin, which is very kind.
So, I started using fake tan from a very early stage. Yonka Auto Bronzant was the first one I really used repeatedly. It is a white lotion that works and gives a nice colour but for the beginner, it is hard to avoid patchiness.
I also had my own spray tan machine and pop up booth at home for a few years so I feel that I know a lot of the options out there.
I am sure I have spent a small mortgage over the years and continue to do so.
A few tips:
1. Scrub, shave, body brush and moisturize ideally the day before. If you tan too soon after hair removal, the tan will gather in the pores leaving a dark spotted finish. You need the surface as smooth as possible.
2. On the day of the tan, moisturize hands, feet, elbows, knees. The tan is essentially a dye and it will attract and gather anywhere that is dry. I don't moisutrize all over as I think it dilutes the tan and I always want it darker.
3. Wash hands when you've finished everywhere else but before you do your hands. Light moisturizer and then apply the tan to them. I use a buffer foundation brush for my hands to keep the coverage light and as natural possible.
4. Nail polish on hands and feet. Tan will dye both of these. It will also dye lighter shades of nail polish, even Shellac. So a clear coat of clear on top which can be cleaned off afterwards, protects them.
5. After tanning, have a slightly damp cloth. Not soaking wet. And wipe hands, feet, knees and elbows. Just a light wipe, not a rub.
6. If you tan your face, use a tissue to wipe eyebrows, upper lip, around the ears and into hairline. Especially on blondes, these hairs can catch and turn a fetching shade of yellow. Sometimes a very light wipe under the eyes to avoid making any dark circles darker. But it is important not to clean off the tan.
7. Dry before dressing. I usually tan in the morning as I can't sleep with the feeling of tan on. Depending on the colour and occasion I will wash it off after 6 hours or before bed.
8. When it is washed off, moisturize! That's really important to keep it looking well.
9. If it's not as dark as you like, top up with a gradual tan. I usually do this on the first day as it gets another day with the best of the tan.
10. Love yo self!
