- Exfoliate: Using a gentle body scrub, like gloMinerals Sugar Body Polish, will help prep your skin for an even, splotch-free tan by smoothing skin texture and lifting away dead skin cells. This process will also help extend your tan. As a bonus, the Sugar Body Polish moisturizes skin with shea and cocoa butters.
- Moisturize: Dry patches of skin will soak up more self-tanner so be sure to moisturize daily leading up to your sunless tan application. If applying the same day as your self-tanner, give your moisturizer enough time to fully sink into skin first. Pay close attention to rougher, thicker areas of skin like knees, elbows, and feet. A light moisturizer, like Fake Bake Oil-Free Moisturizer, will give the skin enough hydration and won’t clog pores or cause your self-tanner to build up. To get your best tan, we recommend moisturizing with a gradual tanning moisturizer, which will work with your self-tanner to promote your best, all over tan. The girls around the office love Amir Argan Oil Touch of Tan Moisturizer for its gradual hint of color and wonderful smell!
- Don’t go too dark: The key to a flawless self-tan is a natural looking glow. While a deep bronze may look good on some, it can appear unnatural on others. So keep in mind your natural skin tone when choosing a shade. Even better, look for options that provide a build-able or gradual tan.
- Test before you apply: There's nothing worse than an orange-tinted or overly dark tan. To see how your skin will react to a self-tanner, test on a small spot of your body prior to full-body application.
- Avoid color where you don’t want it: Wearing plastic gloves while you apply self-tanner will keep your hands clean, helping to avoid the annoying “dirty” palm look, and helps ensure that your product is applied where you want it, not absorbed into hands. To avoid getting tanning product in your hairline, eyebrows, cuticles and nails, apply a small amount of vaseline or thick lotion around the areas prior to application.
- Use an applicator tool: When using sunless tanning agents, an applicator tool helps promote an even application. Using a mitt, like the Xen-Tan Deluxe Tanning Mitt, also allows you to buff away any excess product, avoiding streaks or spots.
- Apply from the bottom up: Since some tanners don’t show color during application, this tip will help you avoid over-application, and means you won't cause any creases in the color when you bend over.
- Don’t forget your back: Most of us just aren't flexible enough to reach this area. Xen-Tan has you covered with the Hard to Reach Back Applicator. Its refillable, washable foam pads will last you through multiple sunny seasons and works with lotion, mousse and mist formulas. Spray-on self-tanners are also convenient for reaching those hard to reach areas.
- Take your time: Rushing through application can lead to a messy look or missed spots. Take your time applying and allow sufficient time for your tan to dry, as needed. Then wear dark, loose clothing to avoid rubbing off your new, added color. It's also important to avoid showering and swimming for at least three hours.
- Maintain: Now that you've got your new glow, maintain it by moisturizing, gentle exfoliation and reapplication as needed. Since many self-tanners are made to provide a natural, gradual tan, you can reapply to reach your desired shade.
Until next time...stay tuned and stay beautiful!
