How far in advance should I self tan?

Author: Ms. Elza Homenick  |  Last update: Monday, August 25, 2025

Day 1 should start at least 12 hours after Day 0. Forgo the shower (if you must, make sure it's several hours earlier in the day and try your best not to moisturize) and get straight to the tan.

How many days before an event should I self tan?

The Two-Day Rule: When it comes to tanning before an event, it is generally recommended to have a spray tan or apply your own tan two days prior to the occasion. The reason behind this is that all tans take approximately 24 hours to fully develop, even after rinsing off the initial bronzer.

How far in advance should you fake tan?

4. DON'T fake tan the day of an event or occasion. The optimum time to have a salon tan or self tan before an event is one to two days beforehand. The colour will develop over 48 hours from the time of spray tan.

How long should you wait before self tanning again?

You can apply 2 days in a row. The tanner I have recommends that if you want it super dark to do a layer, then 30 minutes later do another layer, then rinse after 8ish hours like usual.

When should I fake tan before vacation?

You want a fresh layer of skin so your tan fully absorbs and last longer! I always recommend tanning two days before your event/trip, JUST in case you need to do touch ups or want time to apply another layer to darken the tan.

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How long before vacation should I start tanning?

If you choose UV tanning, start 4-6 weeks for best results before you travel to reach your color goals. If you're new to tanning, your skin may not be ready for the sunless beds quite yet. Start at a lower time and increase time with each session to avoid overexposure.

How to make self tan last on vacation?

Tips To Make Your Self-Tan Last
  1. Avoid Chlorine: Prolonged exposure to chlorine in pools can cause your tan to fade faster.
  2. Pat Dry: After showering or swimming, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing.
  3. Reapply Gradually: Use a gradual tanning lotion every few days to maintain your color.

Is it better to fake tan at night or morning?

Applying at night gives your self-tanner time to develop a natural tan look. Things like showering, rain, or tight clothes can mess up your tan when it's trying to settle. And some tanning products will also stain! As the self-tanner process can take up to eight hours, applying right before bed is super convenient.

Does fake tan continue to develop after a shower?

Yes – fake tan does continue to develop on the skin after it has been washed off. The colour that fake tan instantly adds to the skin is often just a 'guide colour', which gives you an idea of the shade and where you are applying it.

Should I put lotion on before I self tan?

Apply Moisturizer Before Tanner

After exfoliating your body, continue the prepping process by applying a moisturizer. You shouldn't apply self-tanner without moisturizing first, because skipping out on this prep step could potentially leave you with patchy color — this goes for your face and the rest of your body.

How to get best self tan results?

Follow these steps:
  1. Exfoliate. Use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin prior to applying a self-tanner. ...
  2. Dry your skin. ...
  3. Apply in sections. ...
  4. Wash your hands after each section. ...
  5. Blend at your wrists and ankles. ...
  6. Dilute over your joints. ...
  7. Give your skin time to dry. ...
  8. Apply sunscreen every day.

Can you apply self-tanner 2 days in a row?

As for when you can repeat this process, typically you can use self-tanner every day or every other day until you reach your desired level of color and then once or twice a week to help maintain the results.

Should you wash your hair before or after self-tanning?

A: It's best to wait at least 8-12 hours before washing your hair to prevent water from running over your tan too soon.

How far in advance should I fake a tan?

No one wants to awake on the day of a special event, wash off their tan and reveal a streaky, blotchy-looking fake tan. We'd recommend tanning a couple of days before your special occasion. This will give your golden colour time to settle and offers an opportunity to rectify any potential mistakes.

Should I shower or self tan first?

Shower at least half an hour before you plan on self-tanning to cleanse your body and remove any deodorant, make-up or moisturiser that will cause your tan to become patchy or streaky.

Will self-tanner rub off on a wedding dress?

If applied properly and far enough in advance, self-tan shouldn't stain your wedding dress or cause you any hassle on the big day. We recommend applying your self-tan in the morning, on the day before the wedding/your big event, but you could apply it two days before if you are happy with the results from your trial.

What not to do after self-tanning?

It is important not to wear tight clothing after applying fake tan as this can cause your tan to rub off or cause marks. This can make self-tanning in the morning more difficult as you must wear dark, loose clothing to avoid any transfer and you can't use deodorant or perfume.

How long should I wait to put clothes on after self-tanning?

After applying your self-tanner, you'll need to give the product time to dry and settle on your skin. Do not get dressed right away, wrap yourself in a towel, or lie down. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes before putting clothes on—and even then, wear loose-fitting attire.

How to speed up fake tan developing?

Use a hairdryer. Once you have the perfect coverage, grab your hairdryer to help it set. Be sure it's blowing cool air and move it along your body. Not only will this help the solution dry faster, but it'll also help to kick the tanning development process into overdrive.

Do you self tan your face?

Using a self-tanner that's specifically designed for your face will typically be better suited for facial application than a tanner formulated for the body. Self-tanners can come in shades or be transparent (like some self-tanning mousse) while still offering the benefits of self-tanning.

Do I shave before or after fake tan?

By shaving a day before applying self-tanner, you ensure that your skin is smooth and free of any dead cells. This smooth surface allows the self-tanner to go on evenly and helps it adhere better to your skin. Avoid Irritation: Shaving can sometimes cause minor irritation, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

What is the best sunless tanner?

Top 8 Self-Tanners We Tested:
  • The Winner: Dolce Glow Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse, $51.
  • Best Self-Tanner for Pale Skin: St. Tropez Self-Tan Supreme Violet, $48.
  • Best Gradual Self-Tanner: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk, $21.
  • Best Self-Tanner for Dry Skin: +Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse, $48.

Can I put another layer of fake tan on the next day?

We generally recommend sticking to one self tanning product per application. If you do not find the color to be as deep as you would like, you can always apply a second coat 30-60 minutes after initial application, or the following day.

Can you put sunscreen on over fake tan?

Absolutely! Simply leave enough time for your self-tanner to develop. Then apply your sunscreen. Avoid oily creams, lotions, and sun oils as they encourage your fake tan to fade faster.

What is the best gradual self tanning lotion?

  • Lux Unfiltered. N°32 Hydrating Gradual Self Tanning Lotion in Santal. ...
  • Bondi Sands. Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk. ...
  • Tanologist. Hydrating Gradual Tan Lotion. ...
  • St. Tropez. ...
  • Luna Bronze. Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturizer. ...
  • TAN-LUXE. The Gradual Illuminating Gradual Tan Lotion. ...
  • Jergens. ...
  • Beauty by Earth.

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