Any stigma that sunless tanner may have once had is now long gone.
Since tanning in the sun not only increases your risk of skin cancer,
but also rapidly ages your skin, using a self tanner instead is the way
to go. But you have to know how to properly apply it to get that warm,
healthy tan glow without streaks and splotching. So we’ve put together
eleven important sunless tanner application tips straight from the pros
so that you can confidently fake your glow all year round.
Go Yellow-BasedWhen selecting a sunless tanner product, opt for one that is yellow-based instead of orange-based.
Celebrity
makeup artist and beauty expert Jessica Liebeskind likes Bobbi Brown
Sunless Tanning Gel for Face and Body. “It’s yellow-based so it looks
warm—not orange, like many other tanners,” she says. “It blends with
your skin tone but gives you a golden glow.”
Self-tanners that
are orange-based often have higher levels of DHA—the sugar that acts as
the dye in sunless tanner products—which can leave your skin a tangy
shade of orange. The lower the DHA levels—i.e., more yellow-based—the
more natural your tan will look.
Consider Gel TannersGel
products are a smart choice because they apply with a more even
consistency. As Liebeskind explains, gel products are key to a flawless
sunless tanner application because they allow the product to evenly
glide over the skin rather than clumping in areas, which results in a
streaky finish.
But if you’re in a bind and don’t have a friend
or partner to apply the tanner to your back, spray sunless tanner may be
your best bet. If you feel that the spray is not reaching all areas of
your back, you can spray it into the air and then step back into it a
few times to soak up the pigment.
Patch TestSince
each person’s skin tone and pH levels differ, the same sunless tanner
product can yield very different results from person to person. So when
working with a new tanner, try testing a small patch on your skin (like
your stomach or thigh) the day before using it to see how your skin
color reacts to the tanner and the particular amount you applied.
Exfoliate! To
avoid looking like a hot blotchy mess, you must exfoliate before
applying sunless tanner. “[Sunless tanner] basically dyes your dead skin
cells,” explains licensed esthetician Daniela Ferri.
“That’s why you get a much more even color after exfoliation.” Your tan
will also last longer if you properly exfoliate, as you’ll have removed
the excess dead skin cells which would have soon sloughed off and left a
patchy tan job.
For pre-tanning exfoliating, do it in a warm
shower and avoid using any oil containing scrubs as they can interfere
with the self-tanner and block it from properly adhering to your skin.
Exfoliate
your whole body and face, but be particularly conscious of exfoliating
around your knees, ankles and elbows. The dead skin cells that gather
around those areas are magnets for self-tanner pigment.
Be sure
to rinse shower products off completely and let your skin dry fully
before applying your tanning product—we are talking bone dry (we like to
wait a good 30 mins after the shower to apply tanner).
Moisturizer OptionIf
you’re feeling timid about applying a new self-tanner, you can go
slowly by applying a mix of your tanning product with your regular body
moisturizing lotion (make sure it’s oil free). In your hands, mix some
lotion into your self tanner. Thoroughly rub the mixture together in
your hands and then apply. While this may have the effect of diluting
your tan, it will reduce the likelihood of streakiness.
Or, to
avoid the risk of diluting your tan, you could simply moisturize the
areas of your body that are particularly dry and more prone to
over-absorbing the tanner—this includes your elbows, hands, knees and
feet. Apply a thin layer of lotion to these areas prior to applying your
self tanner (not mixed with lotion).
Go Easy & Start LowTake
your time, gently and slowly rubbing the tanner into your skin. Start
by applying tanner to your legs and feet and working your way up to your
stomach, upper chest and arms. You don’t want to have applied a smooth
coat to your arms and stomach and then smudge or crease it by bending
over to apply to your legs.
Apply only a light amount of tanner
to those areas mentioned above which tend to over-absorb color (hands,
feet, elbows and knees). We try not to directly apply to those areas,
but rather, apply directly to another nearby area and then spread it
over lightly to the more cautious zones.
If you are new at
applying tanner, you may want to opt for a product that contains a tint
so that you can more easily identify any missing spots. This tint washes
off when you shower (and will wash off of your clothes too).
‘Tan’ Your Face TooThere’s
nothing like skipping your face in your tanner application to give you
the full Lindsay Lohan oompa loompa effect. If you have particularly
sensitive or acne prone skin, look for a product designed specifically
for your face that will not clog pores or be too strong for the delicate
facial skin.
You can apply the product lightly with your
fingertips making sure to avoid your eye area. For a more guided
approach, grab a makeup sponge (like the type you might use to apply
foundation with) and apply the tanner.
The golden rule with your
face is to go easy. You can always build color over time by applying a
thin layer each day, or can add more color using makeup bronzer.
Avoid Orange PalmsThe
next worst thing to a streaky self-tanner application is the tangerine
palms you sport for three days after. To avoid the telltale signs you’re
faking it, you can apply your tanner with gloves. If you do use gloves,
just don’t forget to lightly go back over the backs of your hands with
your product so you don’t end up looking like you wore gloves to the
beach.
If you don’t use gloves, you may want to apply a dab of
Vaseline to your fingernails (do it to your toenails too) to prevent
your cuticles from absorbing the pigment.
After finishing
applying your tanner to your face and body (including the backs of your
hands), wash just the palms of your hands and the skin between your
fingers with water and soap. You may want to scrub them with a wet
washcloth for more precision. Then dry these areas well, trying not to
smudge the tanner on the backs of your hands.
Let It DryAfter
you apply your tanner, even if it feels dry, don’t jump into your
favorite white dress just yet. Stand around for at least a few minutes
before putting on a loose fitting robe, and try to avoid sitting down,
getting into bed or getting dressed for at least 15 minutes, as this
could potentially smudge the tanner and get you an uneven color. The
longer you can wait, the better, and opt for loose fitting clothing when
you do get dressed.
Be sure to avoid doing anything that will
make your skin moist for at least six hours after applying your
tanner—that means avoid showering, exercising or swimming during this
time.
Make it LastTo
maintain your sun-kissed look, be sure to reapply once or twice per
week. If you want your tan to look darker, you can “build it” by
applying more tanner after showering the following day. Avoid
exfoliating because this can unevenly strip off your tan.
Between
applications, protect your tan by applying your regular moisturizing
lotion. The more you moisturize, the better. If your skin gets dry, your
tan is more likely to flake off. Again, skip exfoliating for now.
Don’t
forget to apply sunscreen daily. Even though your skin may look darker,
it does not have a greater ability to protect you from burning.
Quick FixesIf
you’ve already applied your product and realize you’ve got a couple of
blotchy or streaky areas, fear not: we’ve got your back.
If you
discover small areas that you've missed, but the rest of your
application looks flawless, just apply a thin layer of tanner to the
lighter areas. This should cover and blend nicely with the rest of your
tan.
If the pigment is clumped in areas, you need to exfoliate
to remove the hyper-pigmented skin cells. Soak in a warm bath and then
exfoliate with a lemon scrub. Check out a sunless tanner fix scrub
recipe here:
http://montereydayspa.blogspot.com/2013/07/seven-diy-body-scrub-recipes.html . The acidic properties of lemon will help remove the dye that the exfoliator does not.
For
your face, don’t scrub too strongly or use a harsh exfoliator that
could actually cause more irritation and redness on your skin. Instead,
apply makeup remover to your face with a cotton ball. This should remove
enough of the pigment to where you won’t feel too orange. Also, just
washing your face and using a face brush can help to remove a
significant amount of unwanted color. If you don’t have a facial brush,
head to your kitchen for some baking soda. Mix a paste of the baking
soda with a few drops of water and apply to your face lightly in
circular motions then rinse.
To treat dyed nails, simple polish
remover will strip away most of the color. If not, dab a little
hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball and apply it to orange areas—that
should do the trick.
