Instant Tan
There are many great products available that will give you a salon-quality tan instantly in your own home. Quality spray brands that are generally available from your local pharmacy include California Tan, ModelCo Sunsponge, L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze and Aviva Labs, which is great for sensitive skin.
Here are tips on how to apply your tan evenly so that it looks as natural as possible:
Preparing the skin: When possible, avoid shaving or waxing your legs for 24 hours before you apply your tan. Removing the hair is disruptive to the skin and if you apply fake tan straight over the top, it may look patchy and scaly.
If you are already wearing a fading fake tan, it is best to use a tan remover so that you start afresh on unstained skin. Have a shower and exfoliate as you dry yourself, paying extra attention to areas such as knees, elbows and ankles that may be very dry. Fake tan can be most noticeable on these areas because of the dryness of the skin here.
Once you are completely dry, it’s time to apply the tan. If you don’t have an enclosed shower where you can spray the tan, it’s best to put down some old towels to protect the area from being stained.
Applying: Wearing latex gloves, lightly spray the tan, holding the can about 30-40cm away from your skin. Some products, such as the ModelCo Sunsponge, come with a self applicator, which makes it even easier to get an even layering. Be especially sparing on the dry areas such as ankles and knees. If you have had trouble with these areas before, it may be worth using a light moisturiser on them before you start applying, so that the spray doesn’t soak in too deep.
A perfect finish: Wait at least 15 minutes before you get dressed to allow your tan to dry and try to avoid showering for at least 12 hours to let it soak in. Once you have your tan just as you like it, a careful beauty regime will help to maintain it. Click here for some post-care tips.
Gradual tanners
There are also lotions you can use regularly to build up a natural tan. Fake Bake, Dove, Palmers and my favourite – Johnson & Johnson Holiday Skin – act almost as a replacement for moisturiser and slowly build the shade of the tan over a few uses. You don’t have to be quite as careful in the preparation for these products as they aren’t as fast acting or as likely to stain your skin orange. However, it is worth remembering to wash your hands after applying the lotion as otherwise you will get orange patches on your fingers and palms.
For more advice:
Don’t miss our interview with RESCU’s celebrity beauty expert, Glenn Nutley, on how to use ModelCo’s SunSponge.
