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)