Fake tanning tips that work!
Fake tanning at home can have brilliant results if you follow a few basic rules. Here are 12 self-tanning tips that are guaranteed to lend your skin the perfect glow in time for Spring:
- Exfoliate with a body brush or body scrub in the shower a day before your tan to remove dead skin cells. This will help your tanner to glide on smoothly and encourage your glow to last longer.
- Wax or shave 24 hours before tanning to remove unwanted hair. Hair removal treatments can strip your colour away prematurely so always complete them prior to tanning and wait a day or so to allow your pores to close up and prevent a dotty finish.
- Rub a small amount of moisturiser over particularly dry areas, such as the knees and elbows. Extra dry spots can soak up more tanner, resulting in a patchy finish, so hydrate them first so the colour looks even all over when you’re done.
- Polish your fingernails and toenails to prevent staining (clear varnish works just as well as a colour!).
- Apply a touch of petroleum jelly to your hairline and brows to eliminate the risk of tanner clinging on and discolouring your hairs.
- Use a headband to push your hair back so you can blend the product right up to your hairline and create the illusion of a natural tan.
- Use a textured fake tanning mitt to apply your tanner. It makes it far easier to buff the product in and create a seamless glow from head to toe. Plus, the large surface area means you can complete an application quickly and access hard-to-reach areas like the middle of your back without assistance.
- Use the product left on the mitt to tan the backs of your hands by gently swiping them over your skin.
- Blend some face moisturiser into your fake tan to loosen the formula and make it easier to buff the product onto your cheeks, forehead and decolletage.
- Wear loose clothing after your treatment, taking care to avoid strappy tops, tight underwear and jeans that can cause tan marks and lines.
- Wash the guide colour off after the allotted time using a gentle body wash over a harsh shower gel to protect your colour from the get-go.
- After every shower, pat your skin dry to prolong your glow and follow up with a rich moisturiser to protect and prolong your sun-kissed skin.