Is there anything better than a fresh, glowing tan? A gorgeous faux glow is enough to make anyone look and feel radiant (plus, it usually makes you look slimmer too which is an added bonus!). You can even use fake tan to contour your body now – yep, that’s a thing!
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But all avid self-tanners know there are downsides to fake tan – like its tendency to become patchy, dry out your skin and if used regularly, build up in awkward places. Thankfully, these issues can be easily avoided by taking the proper pre- and post-tan care. So, next time you plan to fake tan, whip out the below guide to ensure it lasts longer, every time.
Pre-tan care
Your weekend is jam-packed with important social events including cocktails with the girls, dinner with your man and a summer beachside BBQ. Naturally, you need to tan to ensure you’re looking your sun-kissed, glowing best! Before you get your tanning arsenal out, it’s important to prep your skin so the product goes on smoothly and doesn’t get patchy. Enter, exfoliators. If you read the instructions on pretty much every tanning product ever made, it will instruct you to apply the tan onto, ‘clean, exfoliated skin’. Exfoliating your body before applying fake tan will ensure that any dead skin and old tan is removed, which will in turn avoid a streaky or patchy tan. Also, aside from being super important for your health, protecting your skin from the sun will also help to avoid dry, flaky skin when prepping for applying your faux glow!
Here are some awesome products to get you started:
1. JERGENS Natural Glow Color Primer
2. ModelCo EXFOLIATE BODY WIPES
3. Ella Baché Great 30+ Facesaver
4. pureTAN Pro Self-Tan Removal Mitt
5. Jurlique Body Exfoliating Gel
Expert application
Whether it’s a foam, a spray, a cream or a liquid, almost all fake tans can (and should!) be applied with a tanning mitt. Not only do mitts help buff the product into your skin, but they ensure a much more even application compared to using your hands. Plus, you avoid getting loads of product build-up on your palms and wrists (we’ve all been there and it’s not a good look!). There are even applicators that are designed to help you apply fake tan to your back – what will they think of next!?
bh tip: Avoid your knees, elbows and face while applying fake tan to the rest of your body, then use the leftover product on your mitt to lightly buff these areas. This will ensure a more natural-looking tan… you’re welcome.
Why not try:
6. Le Tan Application Mitt
7. Bondi Sands Back Applicator
8. JBronze Luxe Application Mitt
Post-tan care
No matter how well you prep and apply your fake tan, sometimes lifestyle factors just get in the way and your tan can fade quickly! Whether it’s multiple trips to the beach, lots of exercise (and the subsequent sweating) or too much time in the sun, your fake tan can sometimes be short-lived. However, all is not lost as long as you remember that moisturising is key! Using a moisturiser every day after applying your fake tan will ensure it lasts as long as possible and more importantly, doesn’t become dry and patchy.
bh recommends:
9. SunFX Body Lotion Tan Extender – Sun FX won the 2015 American Spa Favourite Tanning Line Award!
10. Pelactiv Ultra-Hydration Body Treatment Cream
11. St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tan Enhancing Moisturiser
12. Sunescape Hydrating Gradual Tan Extender
What are your top tanning tips to help your fake tan last?
