Trips abroad may be out the window for the foreseeable future – but that doesn’t mean a sun-kissed, post-holiday glow can’t be achieved at home.
We are of course talking about fake tan.
But don’t let DIY horror stories stop you from giving it a go.
Yes, a lot can go wrong with fake tan – so it’s important to be clued-up on the dos and don’t before attempting it for yourself.
We’ve asked tanning professionals to share their tips on how to achieve a beautifully-bronzed look at home and how to avoid those nightmarish streaks and patches.
Prepare the skin
Beauty expert Leighton Denny says that preparation is just as important as the application itself.
He tells Metro.co.uk: ‘You’ve probably heard it before preparation is key to creating a flawless tan– think of your skin as a canvas and you need the silkiest, smoothest base possible to allow for a sleek tanning application.’
Leighton advises applying a moisturiser to typically dry areas such as elbows and knees, the night before.
Carly Hobbs, a tanning and beauty expert at Sienna X, adds that exfoliation is another key stage of preparation.
She says: ‘Exfoliate every day the week before tanning, this will help prep the skin for you to tan at super speed, allowing it to glide on rather than catching on any rough bits of skin caused by the build-up of pesky dead skin cells.’
Shave 12 hours before
Those wanting silky smooth legs to match their newly-created glow must remember to leave time after shaving before applying fake tan.
Carly explains: ‘Shaving (and general de-fuzzing) opens up your pores, so if you tan straight after you’re in danger of ending up with a speckled appearance where the tan can collect in the pores.
‘Shaving at least 12 hours before will solve this tan issue. You can also pat legs over with a cold, wet muslin cloth pre-tanning, to encourage the pores to close.’
Use a mitt
Leighton says using a tanning mitt is not only good for preventing patchy orange fingers, but also helps with application, too.
He says: ‘Always use a mitt when applying self-tan. It makes the application far easier, more even and you won’t end up with orange palms – which is the first tell-tale sign that you’re faking it.
‘A great tip for a seamless fake tan is to use a spare tanning mitt (that’s free from any tan) that you can use to buff your product in the tricky areas, like ankles, elbows and knees.’
Don’t forget about the face
Fake tanning a face might seem daunting because there’s no hiding any mistakes. But Leighton says we need to pay special attention to it, otherwise it won’t match our body.
For best results, he advises using tanning products specially designed for the face.
He says: ‘Prep the skin on your face like you do your body – with an exfoliation prior to tanning. For the smoothest application, choose hydrating tanning formulas specially created for the face.
‘Apply like you would a moisturiser and don’t forget to bring the product right up to the hair, around the back of your neck and behind your ears.’
Think about your skin type
Skin and aesthetic expert Dr Lucy Glancey adds that it’s important to think about your skin type when choosing a tanning product.
She says: ‘Some products are better suited to oily skin, whereas others are more suited to sensitive skin.
‘If you have overly sensitive skin, think about doing a patch test first at home on your back. You want to avoid breaking out and causing skin irritations once you’ve coated your whole body.’
It’s best to think about how dark you want the tan and, if it’s your first attempt at home tanning, start with lighter shades to practice the technique.
Dr Lucy adds: ‘Keep fake tan as natural as possible. A natural sun-kissed look without looking overly-tanned or orange is what we’re looking for here. So if you have pale skin look at going two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone.
‘Naturally dark skin tones can go for up to four shades darker.’
‘It may be a case of trial and error and trying a few brands before finding the one that’s right for you.’
Wear baggy clothes post-tanning
After putting so much effort into the tanning process itself, it’s important not to let creases or lines from your clothing ruin the finished look.
Carly says: ‘Forget getting into gym gear or super tight underwear after tanning. Instead go for your most comfy PJs, a loose dress or even just a t-shirt and pants.
‘Enjoy being bra-free and without socks, too, as both can rub at the tan and buff it away.’
Not a good look.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/14/beauty-experts-tell-us-fake-tan-home-12555256/?ITO=squid
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