How to Prep Skin for Self Tanner for a Professional-Quality Tan at Home

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Skin

Different self tanners have different directions, so it’s essential to understand the instructions completely before getting started. Then, apply the formula in a circular motion starting with your feet and legs, working your way upwards in sections. For areas that don't need shaving, exfoliate gently in the shower with a loofah or exfoliating scrub. Spend a little more time exfoliating dry areas how to prep skin for self tanner your elbows, knees, and ankles.

The safety of DHA is well-established, and dermatologists generally consider it to be a safe alternative to UV tanning, as long as the product in question is used as directed. Tamra says that although it’s safe when applied topically, it should not be ingested, which is why it’s important to keep your mouth and eyes closed while getting a spray tan. Tamra Dae is a sought-after spray tan artist who began spraying A-list clients at a Beverly Hills salon when she was just how to prep skin for self tanner years old.

Follow these steps to prepare your skin effectively:

I’ll give this option some grace since it was the first one I tried and there was some user error involved. The results were a bit streaky, but that’s likely because I didn’t use a tanning mitt or apply moisturizer to dry areas before application. The double-sided velvet texture ensures a flawless streak free finish.

To contour your tan, use a makeup brush oryour fingers to apply extra color across your cheekbones, under the jawlines,and on the arches of your brow bones. When you wake up from your slumber thefollowing morning, you’ll notice a subtle contour on your complexion. An excellent option is the Bioelementsflash foam cleanser with natural enzymes. The exfoliating formula containsnatural pumpkin, papaya, and pineapple enzymes to gently clean how to prep skin for self tanner, dirt,and impurities. Some more info - I go to the gym most days which maybe isn’t helping. I also use a lot of body moisturiser, usually twice a day, so my skin isn’t dry at all.

Adding another layer immediately after the first application won’t actually make your tan darker, you’re just more likely to make a mess. Typically, the trickiest places to apply self-tanner are your joint areas, show to prep skin for self tanneruch as your ankles, knees, and wrists. These areas tend to soak up more color since they’re on the drier side, and this can leave you with an uneven finish.

Exfoliate:

A good acid toner will remove dead skin cells and naturally make your skin smoother and boost circulation so that tan glides on evenly. Whatever your hair removal method is, it's always best to be silky sm how to prep skin for self tanner ooth and hair-free right before you tan. Make sure you shave at least 24 hours prior to applying false tan to ensure the hair follicles have closed back up, therefore avoiding the speckled look. If you want to self-tan your face to match your body, opt for a formula that's made specifically for the face. They add color to the skin, and wash off with the rest of your makeup. Put moisturizer over your brows and around your hairline, too.

We recommend going over these areas lightly with a moisturiser, adding that extra barrier between your skin and your self tan will allow the product to sit lighter upon these areas. Before application, moisturise anywhere that fake tan has a habit of catching (knees, wrists, elbows how to prep skin for self tanner fingers). Customise how dark you go with Bondi Sands’ Pure Concentrated Self Tan Drops.

1. • Use a gentle body scrub or exfoliating mitt to remove dead skin cells.

1. • Pay special attention to areas prone to dryness, such as elbows, knees, and ankles.

Exfoliation also ensures a longer lasting tan, that isn't going to fade in a matter of days as these skin cells naturally shed. A day how to prep skin for self tanner your fake tan use an exfoliator to remove the dead skin cells that are sitting on the surface of your skin, to create a smooth base for tanner to glide over, and reveal the fresh ones. The newer your skin cells, the longer your glow will last so this step shouldn’t be missed if you want to increase the lifespan of your tan.

Made with Argan Oil, you can enjoy soft, supple skin all day long. But there are ways to fix your self-tanning mistakes, says Dr. Lee — to a point. If you’ve accidentally applied too much product in one area, your best bet is to exfoliate. Try gently rubbing the area with a scrub, or use an how to prep skin for self tanner pad. Don’t overdo it, or you could end up with a dark spot that’s also red and irritated (yikes). If you’re using a spray product — or getting your self tan at a spray salon — be sure to keep your eyes and mouth closed the entire time.

Shave (if necessary):

Irrespective of your skin tone, it's crucial to maintain your gorgeous glow. Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturiser is an excellent how to prep skin for self tanner for extending the life of your tan. This daily moisturiser helps prolong your tan and provides essential hydration.

3. • Shave at least 24 hours before applying self-tanner to allow your skin to calm.

3. • This helps in achieving a smoother application.

Try washing your cotton sheets in a 60 deg wash, or as hot a wash as the care label allows if the stain persists. Soak harder-to-shift stains on white cotton bedding in a pre-wash stain removal solution before washing as normal. No, it is recommended not to sweat excessively in the 6 hours following the treatment, in this way the product will develop optimally. It is of fundamental importance to avoid clothes that are too tight, the outfit must be comfortable and preferably of a dark color. Yes, however it is of fundamental importance not to put your hands in contact with the face or other parts of the body while sleeping, to avoid the onset of spots.

The important thing when choosing a faux glow is to opt for gentle formula, incorporating nourishing natural ingredients such as aloe vera and coconut water. These will help to keep the complexion soft, nourished and feeling comfortable. Smooth and lightweight, add a touch of radiance to your complexion with Tanologist’s Insta Glow Face Cream, a blend of moisturising ingredients that brighten dry, dull skin. The formula offers an instant boost of luminosity as it works to blurs the appearance of imperfections, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and nourished with a sun-kissed glow.

It's also a good idea to shave or wax any unwanted hair before applying self tanner. This will ensure that the tanner applies how to prep skin for self tanner and evenly, without getting caught on any stubble or hairs. If you do shave or wax, make sure to wait at least 24 hours before applying the tanner to give your skin time to recover. If you want to keep that golden glow for even longer, you can prolong your tan in between treatments with your favourite self-tan product. If this is your first time doing so, we’d recommend the Gradual Untinted Self Tan Lotion for a natural finish and the ultimate control of your colour. Or try our Gradual Clear Tan Water Mousse, which promises to leave behind zero development stain transfer while deeply hydrati how to prep skin for self tanner ng skin with Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera.

Moisturize:

5. • Apply a lightweight moisturizer to your skin after exfoliating.

5. • Avoid heavy creams that can create a barrier and prevent the tanner from adhering evenly.

Dry Completely:

7. • Ensure your skin is completely dry before applying self-tanner.

Self tanning can be intimidating, but if you follow all of my tips below you'll have a flawless fake tan every time. Before we get into the steps you'll need to know about the tanning product ingredients. Selecting the right self-tanner how to prep skin for self tanner crucial for achieving natural-looking results.

7. • This helps the product absorb better and reduces streaking.

To start off, Kirbie recommends shaving 24 hours prior to your self-tanner application. She mentions that while you can apply self-tanner how to prep skin for self tanner areas with body hair, it will make the application process a little more difficult. “The hair is going to be harder to penetrate through, so you’re really going to have to rub it in,” she says. Ask any sunless tanning aficionado and they’ll tell you that skin prep is everything when it comes to achieving seamless, natural-looking color. These are the tips to keep in mind before applying self-tanner (or going in for a professional spray tan). Did you know a spray tan is actually activating your skin cells?

Certain areas of the body absorb self-tanner more quickly and require a little extra work. These gradual tanning drops are the perfect hybrid of self-tan and skincare to hydrate and maintain a glow. Also, keep in mind that the guide color you get when applying Instant products is just that, a guide color. It should be rinsed off when the product has finished developing on the skin, and is primarily there to show you where you have applied it.

Normal to dry skin types are often the most discussed regarding self-tan, since traditional DHAs (one of the key ingredients in any self-tan) have a drying effect on the skin. However, oily skin has its own challenges to take into consideration. Autumn has officially come, and after spending time in the sun—either domestically or abroad—many of us would like to keep our tans looking good as the how to prep skin for self tanner grow shorter and colder. Since many of us are now more aware of the dangers of prolonged sun exposure, we are far less likely to forego sunscreen and shade in favour of a little tan.

If you choose a high-quality faux tanner (like those mentioned in this article) self-tanning is generally considered to be a safe beauty step. However, it’s important to note that safe tanners do not offer any form of UV protection—so when you’re outside and exposed to the sun, you must still apply sunscreen in order to protect your skin. These tips should help you to achieve a natural looking colour. They are however no guarantee of a good result; it remains a question of trial and error. We strongly recommend that you do not apply too much self-tanner.

If you haven’t achieved your desired depth of tan by the next morning, simply re-apply that evening as part of your skincare routine. Then, moisturize every morning and night to prevent the tan from fading. Achieving a head-to-toe glow isn’t always easy, particularly as the best practices for how to prep skin for self tanner tanning are slightly different to those for the body.

I recommend this if you need a natural looking tan during winter time. To give the DHA enough time to fully set, it is recommended you wait a minimum of six hours after your spray tan. If you tan using an instant cosmetic bronzer like a bronzing lotion, the instant cosmetic color will wash off in the how to prep skin for self tanner, but the color produced by the DHA will remain. Your first shower should just be a warm rinse and should be at least 6 hours after your treatment. If applying in the morning, apply after doing your morning skincare routine, but before makeup.

Additional Tips for Optimal Results

It is always a pain in the “you know what” to get the back. Many times somebody does not have a friend with them or somebody at home to help them get those hard to reach spots. So they wind up missing parts of their back because they cannot reach it. ( Ummm, not a great look when wearing tank tops) So here is a great fix that I came up with that you could do that so simple!!

• Choose the right shade of self-tanner based on your natural skin tone.

• Test the product on a small patch of how to prep skin for self tanner to ensure it’s compatible with your skin type.

• Use a tanning mitt for application to achieve a more even finish.

• Consider using a barrier cream on dry areas to prevent them from absorbing too much product.

If your eyelids are oily and you apply eyeshadow or eyeliner without primer, application may prove to be patchy and uneven. Learning how to prep skin for self tanner to apply moisturizer correctly is half the battle. Pour a small amount onto your fingers—the dollop should be roughly the size of a quarter. Start by spreading the moisturizer across your forehead; begin from the center of your face, then move outwards and up. Then, do the same starting at your nose, spreading the moisturizer across your cheeks. Ensure you’ve rubbed in the moisturizer evenly across your skin to avoid clogging your pores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Its press-button dispenser drops the self-tanner directly into your palm, so you can mix it into your moisturiser and apply without mess. Face tans tend to fade quicker than those on the body because of all the active ingredients used in facial skin care routines, Radosz tells Bustle. That said, keeping your skin well-hydrated should help it maintain its shade for longer. Feldman says using a tinted lotion afterwards can also keep you glowing. “This gives a subtle gradual glow and works to extend any tanner you already have on,” she tells Bustle. Experts assert it’s best to use tanning products specifically formulated for the face — especially if your skin is sensitive.

How often should I exfoliate before applying self-tanner?

Exfoliating the day before application is recommended, but regular exfoliation (1-2 times a week) helps maintain an even tan.

Can I apply self-tanner immediately after shaving?

It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after shaving to allow any irritation to subside and ensure an even application.

What if my skin is sensitive or dry?

If you have sensitive or very dry skin, consider moisturizing more frequently and opt for self-tanners specifically designed for sensitive skin.

Is it necessary to use a tanning mitt?

While not mandatory, using a tanning mitt helps to distribute the product evenly and prevents staining your hands.

By following these guidelines on how to prep skin for self tanner, you’ll set yourself up for a beautifully bronzed complexion without the worry of streaks or uneven patches. Happy tanning!