SWEETIESAL

5 tips to get an even tan

Self-tanning at home doesn’t have to be difficult or frustrating. In fact, with the right product and the right method, you’ll soon wonder how you ever suffered from a patchy, flaky fake tan.

How do you choose the right tan?

Sometimes half of the battle is deciding which fake tan to choose. These days, there are a lot of products out there that work to mimic the colour of your own skin to create the most natural looking tan. Choose an organic fake tan that’s free of chemicals and that you can use on your face and body.

Exfoliate from head to toe

One of the biggest problems you can face with fake tan is a patchy application. This tends to happen when you fail to exfoliate beforehand properly. If dead skin cells are still present on your skin, your fake tan isn’t going to last very long. Use a natural, oil-free exfoliating scrub the day before you’re planning to apply your tan. Make sure to rinse off with cool water to help your pores close up; otherwise the fake tan formula may be absorbed.

Moisturise problem areas

When it comes to tanning day, make sure that you hydrate areas that are likely to soak up a lot of colour. If you’ve used fake tan before then, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to come away with orange patches on your knees, elbows, and heels, so to prevent this apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that will create a barrier between the product and your skin. 

Don’t forego the use of a mitt

You should never apply fake tan with your bare hands. No matter how light it looks on the bottle, once you’ve lathered it across your whole body, it will develop into a much darker colour that will be difficult to remove.  Applying it with a mitt won’t only keep your hands a normal colour but help to prevent streaks and provide flawless coverage. Try to hold the mitt as flat as possible during application.

Wipe away any excess formula

Once you’re done, if you still have excess formula in places you don’t want it then wipe it away as soon as possible with an oil-free makeup wipe. The cuticles on your fingers and toes have probably picked up the majority of this excess formula so don’t be afraid to give them a scrub before you gently apply a thin layer of tan.

Rinse away

Some products may require you to rinse it off with warm water. When you do so, make sure to pat yourself dry with a towel rather than rubbing aggressively as to prevent the removal of any of your perfectly applied tan. You can also enlist the help of your hairdryer to speed up your tanning process, especially if you’re in a rush to get ready for a big night out.