Ahh, {fake tan}. A holy grail for those who love a year-round glow that’s safe and skin-friendly. Whether you want a quick fix for a night out or you’re a regular faker, it’s a given that you’ll want the perfect streak-free tan.
And guess what? It’s all in the application.
You might have been tanning for what feels like your whole life, but are you getting the most out of your glow? Novice or pro, we’re here to give you a tanning masterclass so that you can get the perfect fake tan time and time again.
PREPARATION IS KEY
Some may argue that the tanning prep stage is more important than the actual tanning part. And while it may not be the most enjoyable stage of the experience, it’s a step that’s never worth skipping. Trust us. We’ve learned the hard way. So here’s how to prep your skin for tanning:
- EXFOLIATION STATION
Unless you’re blessed with naturally smooth and silky skin, you’ll need to exfoliate before you can begin the tanning process. Exfoliating removes all the dead and dry skin from your body, leaving you with a smooth base to work from. We recommend {Frank Body}’s {Original Coffee Scrub} for a gloriously streak-free, patch-free tan.
- HAIR REMOVAL
We’re not here to tell anyone they should be getting rid of their body hair, but hair-free skin is best for the smoothest application possible – there’s no denying it. Ideally, you should wax at least 24 hours before tanning to avoid that dotted appearance (*shudder*) from fake tan soaking into your pores.
- SHOWER POWER
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t apply fake tan to dirty skin, so make sure you enjoy a lovely hot soak beforehand. You can apply your tan pretty much as soon as you’ve got out of the shower, providing your skin is completely dry and back to normal body temperature.
- MOISTURISE DRY PATCHES
Areas prone to dryness such as your elbows or knees may need a little extra hydration before you slap on the tan. {Moisturising} can stop your tan from cracking – though hold off on creaming up your whole body, as this can prevent your tan from looking even.
- IN YOUR PRIME
Right before you’re ready to start tanning, give your skin a spritz of top-class tanning primer, like {Isle of Paradise’s} {Prep It – Primer}. This will help your gorgeous tan last longer.
HOW TO APPLY FAKE TAN
Now your skin is smooth and primed, it’s time for the fun part – the application! You’re already one step closer to looking like a bronzed Goddess, and here’s how to apply fake tan flawlessly.
YOU WILL NEED:
- {Tanning mitt}
- {Fake tan}
- Precision sponge (a clean {beauty blender} will do)
- A handful of cotton buds
- Hairdryer (optional)
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR APPLYING FAKE TAN
- READ THE INSTRUCTIONS
Each tan formula comes with its own method for best application, so make sure you check the instructions before you start! Find out how long the tan should be left on for, how dark your results will be and so on.
- APPLY IN SECTIONS
The best way to apply fake tan is area by area, working slowly from the legs upwards. Massage the tan into your body in a circular motion with your tanning mitt.
- TACKLE THE TRICKY AREAS
Using your precision sponge, dab a light layer of tan into all the nooks and crannies of your body, such as in between your fingers and toes. Then use your cotton buds to remove the excess tan from your cuticles and nail tips.
- DILUTE THE EXCESS
The drier areas over your knee, elbow and ankle joints tend to collect tan and can end up looking orange and patchy. To avoid this, gently remove some of the tan using a damp cloth.
- WAIT FOR YOUR TAN TO DRY
Hold off at least 10 minutes before getting dressed, then slip into a pair of loose PJs or a dressing gown. Most tans take around three hours to dry, though check the pack’s instructions just to make sure.
Et voila! A stunning streak-free tan that’ll trick everyone into thinking you’ve just returned from a sun-soaked getaway!
HOW TO APPLY FAKE TAN WITHOUT A MITT
For an even, streak-free tan, an applicator mitt works wonders. But if you don’t have one to hand, a thick sock does the job. Alternatively, turn to tanning drops or tanning moisturisers instead, as these don’t need to don’t need to be applied with a mitt.
HOW TO FAKE TAN YOUR FACE
The prospect of a tangerine tinge is enough to put anyone off of tanning their face. But with a little extra TLC (and a little less product!) that sun-kissed, lit-from-within glow is achievable.
- Cleanse and exfoliate your face, avoiding oil-based products
- Moisturise any dry areas, age spots and pigmentation to keep your tan looking even
- Slick some Vaseline over your brows and baby hairs to prevent them getting stained by the tan
- Use a {face tan} as opposed to a body tan for the most even finish
- Stick to just one coat of tan to steer clear of Oompa Loompa territory
- Consider contouring your face with the tan to lift and sculpt your cheekbones!
HOW TO FAKE TAN YOUR HANDS
Your hands are often the giveaway to your tanning secret – but rejoice, as there is such a thing as streak-free, golden hands.
- Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! – our hands can be extra dry, particularly in the winter, so it’s good to start with a smooth base.
- Less is more – simply sweep the tan from the rest of your body onto your hands, using a sweeping motion as opposed to a circular one. Take care to blend your wrists too.
- Clean your fingernails – and pop on a moisturiser as soon as you’ve applied the tan to soften the product.
HOW TO FAKE TAN YOUR BACK
When you need help fake tanning your back, it’s your other half’s (or your housemate’s) time to shine. But if you don’t have a partner to hand, tanning your own back is achievable – albeit a little tricky.
There are a range of hacks for tanning those hard-to-reach areas. One of our faves is the “tying your tanning mitt to the end of a wooden spoon” method. So simple, yet so effective. Make sure you’re stood by a full-length mirror so you can really see what’s going on back there!
HOW TO FAKE TAN WITH ECZEMA
Fake tanning with eczema poses a few extra challenges, since your skin will be much more sensitive and dry. Your skin needs to be in great condition before going in with your tan, so make sure you’re moisturising lots, and don’t apply any tan if you’re having a flare-up.
Check the ingredients in your tan and look out for things that trigger you. Ideally, a fragrance-free tan marketed for sensitive skin is best for eczema. Patch test your skin with small amounts of tan over the course of a few weeks and look out for any uncomfortable reactions. If your skin seems to take to the tan, then it’s full steam ahead!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR FAKE TAN LAST LONGER
After a super lengthy tanning process, we all want our gloriously golden glow to last for as long as possible. The key to making your fake tan last longer is in the prep – so long as you’re exfoliating, shaving and all the rest beforehand, your gorgeous tan has the best chance of survival!
Check out our guide on how to make your fake tan last longer for more top tips.
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