S IS FOR SELF TAN

Summer is truly and well upon us, and we all love the sunkissed glow that comes along with the carefree days at the beach, under the sun. But, unless you live under a rock, you are already aware of the damages sun exposure can cause to your skin. Sunburns, dehydration, premature ageing – dark spots, wrinkles, sagging skin – are just a few of them, not to mention the most severe of all, skin cancer.  

Although tricky sometimes, a faux tan is an easy and safe way to get this much-desired summer glow without the baking. We are here to help you discover all the secrets behind the process and the right products that will leave your skin naturally sunkissed. Let’s self-tan together.

THE ART OF PREP

An essential step of the self-tan process is to remove all the dead cells from your skin to create a smooth “blank” canvas before applying the product of your choice (self-tan grabs on to any dry patches). Using a skin peel pre-tan also helps give you the best true-tan colour.

The most common way to exfoliate your skin is by using a gentle and-attention please!- oil-free scrub. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees and heels, which tend to accumulate more dead cells. Alternatively, go for a good dry brushing. If you choose the latter, look for a brush with natural bristles, preferably made from jute or cactus. Choose the method that suits you best and get started! 

TIME FOR A FAUX GLOW

Whether you prefer a mist, lotion or mousse, we’ve got you covered. But wait…! Self-tanning needs precision for a natural-looking result. And while bare hands may sound like the most convenient option, who wants orange palms and fingers? So instead, use latex gloves or a tanning mitt to apply your product all over your body evenly. Work on one section at a time with light vertical strokes, without rubbing. For the most hard-to-reach areas of your body, such as your back, use a mirror to see exactly where you are spreading the product or ask your BFF to help you 🙂

After applying your self-tanner, use a body brush to perfect the result and eliminate unevenness. For a naturally contoured effect, add an extra amount of product directly on your brush and apply it to your abs, butt, legs, and arms.

LET IT BUILD

Wait at least 20 minutes to get dressed and at least 12 hours to shower or get your tan remotely wet. 

While the product develops, and before you put your clothes on, dust a talk-free powder over areas prone to creasing or sweating. 

HOLD THE SUN

To ensure your tan will last, you should moisturize your body daily because dry skin is the enemy of faux tan. Also, keep in mind that oil breaks down tan, so opt for creamy, oil-free body moisturizers. To keep your sunkissed glow, reapply your product after a couple of days in thin, fine layers.

extra tips

Try gradual tanners for the body, as these give you more control to build up colour.

Self-tanner alone doesn’t convey any sun protection, so don’t forget to apply your sunscreen daily.

Towel off excess product on the rougher skin around your joints with a slightly damp paper towel.

Shaving exfoliates dead skin, so to prolong your faux tan, use a depilatory cream instead of shaving your legs. 

If you shave your legs, do it at least 12 hours before to keep the pores of your skin closed.

Apply your self-tanner in a cool, dry area of your house to avoid perspiration.

For a night out, you can replace the self-tanner with a body makeup that washes off.