"Your self-tan is as good as the preparation you put in!"
A healthy winter glow needn’t look out of place.
Read below for my top tips from how to prepare your skin, the right tanning formula for your skin type, through to what to apply your tan with.
It’s all covered below!
As we become more educated and aware of the dangers of getting our golden glow directly from the Sun or dare I say sun beds, the healthier and safest option to acquiring this is from a bottle, a tube or from more advanced formulations like mists and tanning oils! They are also now packed to the brim with skin loving ingredients that help to condition the skin whilst providing a hint of colour. Otherwise known as your 'sunless tan'.
The science behind your self tan
The majority of self-tanners contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It is often derived from plant sources such as sugar beets and sugar cane, and by the fermentation of glycerin.
When applied to the skin, DHA will have a chemical reaction with the amino acids in the surface cells in the top layer of the epidermis. This will result in temporarily darkening the skin and simulate a tan.
It's all in the prep!
“You need to cover all the steps to achieve the best results.”
Before you think about applying your self tan, always remove unwanted hair at least 24-48 hours prior to tanning. This enables your skin to settle and adjust, reducing any sensitivity once the tanning formula is applied. Also do your nails or have a manicure before applying your tan. If your worried about the tan discolouring the nails apply a barrier cream or Vaseline.
Exfoliate
This part is essential!
If you have the time exfoliate twice. First use a dry body brush or exfoliating gloves to remove any surface dead skin cells, follow with a cream based granular exfoliator applied to either dry or damp skin.
If your short on time, there are some great exfoliating body washes that you can use in the shower.
Focus on the driest areas of your body. These are usually the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and feet.
When removing your exfoliating products use shower gels and creams that are free from oils. Excess oils on the skin can react with the active self tan ingredients, resulting in patchiness.
Ensure the skin is dried thoroughly.
Moisturise
I recommend using a fragrance and oil free body lotion or cream (these will not compromise the active ingredients in your self-tan). Apply to the dry areas where you paid special attention exfoliating to enhance skin smoothness.
You can exfoliate and moisturise right before you decide to apply your tanning product or optionally you can prep the day before or even in the morning and then apply your tan in the evening before you go to bed.
Apply Your Glow!
Begin applying your chosen tan to your lower and upper legs blending out any excess product over the bum, knees and feet to ensure a sheer coverage in these areas. The feet and knees are usually dry so can grab the tan and cause that patchy look.
Work in light, upward strokes and avoid really massaging the product in.
Next work up to the stomach, torso, bust and décolletage. Tackling your back can be fun and games so either ask a willing friend or I have been known to put my tanning mitt on my body brush (the ones that have a long handle) and apply that way!
I apply a small amount of tan to my upper and lower arms and again blend over the elbow (bend) and wrist and lightly skim over the hands and fingers.
At this point I do some finishing touches where I use a dry cotton cloth and gently wipe/buff over my feet, ankles and in between toes. I then repeat to my knees, elbows and hands, ensuring I buff on the inside area of the wrist to diffuse any excess product.
I then go in with my facial tanning product. I glide up from where the décolletage meets my neck, swipe around back of neck and ears up to the face. I then use a soft cotton cloth and buff into the hair line and over the brows.
Different Formula Options
There are so many new formulations of self-tanner available to purchase. Alongside your trusted creams, lotions, gels and mousses' are tanning waters, towelettes, serums, mists and drops. It is usually down to personal preference and what you find most suitable for your skin and the ease of application.
Your cream and lotion formulas will be hydrating for drier skin types.
Mousses', tanning water and mists are often the quickest to apply and dry almost instantly so are great for skin with no concerns.
Serums and drops will usually be infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help further hydrate and condition the skin and are usually added to your favourite face or body moisturiser so you can adjust the depth of your tan.
Self-tanning products will usually take 8-12 hours to fully develop.
Instant tans are like make up for the body, helping to blur imperfections like thread veins and bruises.
Express tans develop within 1-3 hours and are great if you make last minute arrangements to go out.
Gradual tanning products can be built up over a number of days and are a great option for you newbies to the tanning world! You can apply each day until you achieve your desired shade. Tanning Tools
Tanning Mitts & Gloves
Use a tanning mitt or latex free gloves to apply your tan to avoid the tell tale orange coloured palms.
Use circular motions to ensure an even application.
If you are new to self-tanning, I recommend purchasing a tinted product or one that has a guide colour so you can see where you are applying it.
Kabuki Brush or Cotton Face Cloth
These are used to cleverly buff in any excess product.
It will help to diffuse and distribute the tanning colour so it appears more natural.
The Finer Details
When applying the self tan to the face I use a different formulation that has been made specifically for the skin on your face, as these will usually contain skincare ingredients as well as the self tan actives.
If you don't want to do this, simply mix equal parts of your self-tan with your facial moisturiser to soften the glow and achieve a natural finish.
Always wipe over your nails and around the cuticles with your cotton face cloth to ensure the colour doesn't grab on to any dry, flaky skin.
Gently wipe through the brows with a dampened edge of the cotton cloth in case the hairs have captured any of the tanning product. You can also do this around your hairline.
When to Tan
This will depend on the type of self-tan you have chosen.
I usually recommend applying your gradual self-tanning product in the evening as there will be a reduced chance of transferring the product anywhere else.
Wear loose PJ's and keep your hair tied back.
Do not apply deodorant or perfume until you shower the tan off the following morning as the ingredients in anti-perspirants can effect the colour of the tan.
I am personally loving pre-shower self tanners for their ease and fool proof results!
Maintaining your Glow
Continue to moisturise daily, morning and evening to ensure the tan lasts longer and to avoid any patchiness as the tan fades.
Try to have warm, not hot showers as this can dehydrate the skin and strip it of its essential moisture, causing the skin to flake.
Happy Tanning!
I hope you have found this helpful and you feel more confident now that you have read my top tips for achieving that perfect winter golden glow!
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