Discover top fake tanning tips, what not to do & the best product picks to achieve a flawless finish, every time
You can’t beat fake tan for getting your glow on all year round, without any sun damage. However, a little know-how goes a long way when it comes to avoiding those all-too-common fake tan faux pas.
No one wants to sport the tell-tale streaks, patchy finish or orange-stained palms of a fake tan fail. Luckily, modern formulas make it easier than ever to take our tans into our own hands (or rather, tanning mitt) and get a flawless finish.
So, let’s dive into the must-know dos and don’ts for fake tan. Read on to find out how and when to prep your skin before application, the best ways to remove hair ahead of time and how to lock in moisture to keep that sunkissed, glowy look for longer.
Do: Exfoliate before fake tanning
When you think about it, a smooth, clear canvas is going to result in a better fake tan finish. That’s why it’s recommended that you exfoliate all over around 24 hours before you apply your fake tan. Exfoliating helps to buff away dry, dead skin and leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft.
Try: Tree Hut Vanilla Sugar Scrub
• Size: 510g
A must-have addition to any shower routine, scrub the day away with this Shea Sugar Scrub from Tree Hut. Perfect for getting rid of any dry, dull skin, it deeply nourishes and hydrates, leaving you with a gorgeous natural glow. Not to mention the watermelon scent makes it (almost) good enough to eat!
Don’t: Apply deodorants & perfume before fake tanning
Deodorant is usually an absolute must in our daily routines, but it’s best to skip fragrances and antiperspirants when you’re applying fake tan or waiting for it to develop. That’s because the chemicals in deodorants and perfumes can adhere to the skin’s surface and stop the tan from developing properly, resulting in patchy or discoloured areas.
Do: Moisturise before fake tanning
One key to preventing uneven or patchy results? Make sure your skin is well moisturised before you apply fake tan. This helps to stop scaly or dry areas such as elbows and knees from absorbing too much fake tan, and becoming too dark or developing orange hues. It’s best to moisturise two or three hours before fake tanning, making sure that your moisturiser is fully absorbed before you start.
Try: Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion Illuminating Glow
• Size: 200ml
Reach for this intensive daily moisturiser a few hours before fake tanning to ensure well hydrated, smooth skin. Not only is it accredited by the British Skin Foundation, it’s also dermatologist approved and proven to boost the skin’s moisture levels for up to 24 hours.* Even better, it’s packed with pearl particles to help you ramp up the radiance.
Don’t: Wear tight clothes after fake tanning
It’s easy to forget this one and pop on your usual outfit after applying fake tan, but a looser fit is crucial for getting the best results possible. Tight clothes may cause lines or create friction, which can make tan turn patchy in the areas that rub. Light fabrics are also prone to staining, so loose, dark, comfy clothes are the perfect choice while you’re waiting for your tan to develop.
Do: Remove hair in advance of fake tanning
If you want to remove your body hair, it’s best to do this before you tan. This is because most hair removal methods will also take off tan, resulting in a patchy finish.
Try: Veet Pure Hair Removal Cream Legs & Body Sensitive
• Size: 400ml
Designed to give you super-smooth skin in just five minutes, Veet’s Hair Removal Cream is packed with skin-loving ingredients including aloe vera and vitamin E, to help restore skin’s hydration levels and avoid any bumps or rashes.
The cream also works closer to the root of the hair, keeping skin smoother for longer (compared with shaving). Suitable for use on the legs, arms, underarms and even bikini areas, simply cover the targeted area with cream, leave for five to ten minutes and rinse away with the help of the Perfect Touch spatula.
Try: Venus Comfortglide Sensitive Razor
Includes:
• 1 handle
• 1 razor head
If shaving is more your thing, why not try this Venus Comfortglide out? Complete with a handle and razor head, the three built-in blades and pivot design allow for a smooth, close shave, while the blades’ water-activated gel bars release body butters with a white tea fragrance for glide and comfort.
And the best bit? Say goodbye to shave cream – all you need to do is wet the razor to get a lather and off you go!
Try: WooWoo Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream
• Size: 100ml
For a gentle hair removal option, this award-winning hair removal cream ticks all the boxes. It’s formulated using clean and natural ingredients, and designed for use on intimate areas. That means goodbye to rashes or ingrown hairs, and hello to silky smooth skin.
How to apply fake tan on hands
Many of us worry about orange hands when applying fake tan. To avoid this, Jules assures us that the trick is in the prep.
“Dry areas, such as hands and cuticles will absorb self-tan more than the other areas,” he says. “So, during your prep, I recommend using an aloe vera-based moisturiser as this will act as a blending agent, preventing the tan from going too dark in these areas. It will also help blend the colour in with the rest of your application.”
Immediately after applying fake tan, remember to wipe your palms and in-between your fingers.
Don’t: Fake tan immediately after removing hair
If you apply fake tan immediately after removing hair, you run the risk of creating dark spots where the hair follicles aren’t fully closed, or causing skin irritation. Instead, aim to wax, shave or use a hair removal cream at least 24 hours before applying your fake tan.
Do: Give your fake tan enough time to develop
Always check the instructions on your bottle of fake tan before applying, and follow their recommendations for how long to leave it on. Most products will recommend leaving the product on the skin for six to eight hours, after which you can wash off any guide colour and enjoy your bronzed skin. However, some products are designed to develop more quickly, in two to three hours.
Don’t shower, swim or get your tan wet before the developing period is over, or you risk washing the product off too early and causing a blotchy finish.
Try: Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam Dark
• Size: 200ml
This lightweight self-tanning foam is super simple to apply, dries in seconds on the skin and develops over six hours for a flawless, natural-looking finish. The salon-quality formula is enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, and designed to give a deeply bronzed colour that’s ideal for olive complexions or those who prefer a deeper tan. Oh, and it has a lovely coconut scent, too.
Don’t: Forget to use tanning mitts
One tell-tale sign of a fake tan gone wrong? Orange or dark brown palms. This common faux pas is caused by applying tanner directly to the skin without wearing anything to protect the hands.
The smoothest, most natural-looking tanning application comes courtesy of a tanning mitt. These soft velvet gloves are designed to glide over the skin to give an even product distribution, while protecting the hands from absorbing tanning formula.
If you don’t have a tanning mitt or you’ve already applied tanner using your hands, don’t panic. The key is to give your hands a thorough scrub with soap immediately after application, making sure to get right in between your fingers. While you’re at it, use a baby wipe or a damp flannel to remove excess tan from other areas, such as the soles of the feet, between the toes, wrists, nails or eyebrows.
Do: Enhance your tan with a shimmery body oil
Our favourite way to maintain that bronzed goddess look? Slathering on a moisturising body oil. Not only will hydrated skin hold on to fake tan better, you can take it up a notch by choosing a product with a hint of shimmer to really glow all out.
Try: St. Moriz Advanced Glow Body Oil
• Size: 100ml
Once your self-tan has developed and you’ve washed off any residue, it’s time to ramp up the radiance and really let it shine. Enter: St. Moriz Advanced Glow Body Oil. This shimmering, hydrating formula is packed with illuminating particles to give skin a subtle sheen. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used every day to get that glow.
So, there you have it – our top tips and tricks to help you master that fake tan application every time. Get the sunkissed look all year round with our selection of fake and gradual tans.
Shop more great tanning products in Boots’ full range. From tanning lotion to gradual tan and tanning mousse, your perfect match is just a click away.
