Immediately after applying your chosen tan, use the Mitt to blot away any excess tan by gently rubbing darker patches on the skin. Top Tip: To prevent a patchy tan and product from settling onto dry areas, always moisturise with an oil-free moisturiser just before applying fake tan.
Ensure your skin is well moisturised always. Every time you get out of the shower or swim, apply lotion. If you have dry patches, then the tan will stick to these and go much darker. Good skin prep - get your skin well hydrated a week before and continue to moisturise during your tan.
Apply tanner with a mitt and rub thoroughly, all over to prevent streaks. Apply VERY light on fingers and toes to prevent orange spots and keep your fingers/knees slightly bent when you're applying the tanner.
Your self tan will look so much better if you apply a light, oil-free moisturizer. The moisturizer helps to layer in a smooth surface so you don't get streaks. If you use a moisturizer it also absorbs excess self-tanner and prevents spots that darker in some areas.
YOU FORGOT TO MOISTURISE DAILY.
When your skin becomes too dry, the skin cells on the surface begin to flake off, taking your golden colour that sits within them away! This is where you may see your tan fade or become patchy over time.
EXFOLIATION. One of the best solutions for how to apply self tanner evenly is with some good old-fashioned exfoliation. Whether you're using a natural exfoliant like a brown sugar body scrub or you bought one designed specifically for evening out your tan, gently exfoliating your skin will have it glowing in no time.
Start by cleansing and exfoliating skin 12-24 hours before you tan. Tan often settles in areas where skin is dry so the rougher texture causes tan to look patchy. Use a scrub or exfoliating glove to buff dry and rough areas.
Regardless of when the colour guide is washed off, we suggest not moisturising until after the 8 hour mark.
Irregular or patchy discoloration of the skin can be caused by: Changes in melanin, a substance produced in the skin cells that gives skin its color. Growth of bacteria or other organisms on the skin. Blood vessel (vascular) changes.
Tropez's Self Tan Purifty Face Mist – I go back to it time and time again because it never triggers breakouts or makes my pores look obvious, and it also delivers a really natural, radiant glow in just one use.
When you apply self-tanner to unexfoliated skin, it can cling to patches of dead skin, resulting in a streaky and uneven tan. Exfoliating before tanning provides a smooth and clean canvas for the tanning product, ensuring that it goes on evenly and adheres to your skin properly.
For a flawless, streak-free tan and stain-free hands, always apply fake tan with an Applicator Mitt. It will help to evenly distribute and blend your tan, ensuring a flawless finish every time. Our Dual Sided Velvet Luxe Applicator Mitt will do the trick nicely!
Oil can break down the colour of self-tanner by loosening the dead skin cells that have been dyed brown by fake tan. When these dead skin cells start to crack and flake off, it can result in a patchy or uneven tan, often referred to as a "tiger bread" tan.
Squeeze the mousse onto a tanning mitt and apply it to the body in smooth, circular motions. Top tip: to avoid orange patches, go light on the ankles, elbows, knees, knuckles, and nose. These areas are the most absorbent and will darken quickly. The more mousse you apply, the deeper the tan will be.
After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.
Your first course of action to even things out is to exfoliate any darker areas. Exfoliating with a mitt and gentle body scrub will help lift away those dead skin cells that have absorbed a touch too much colour. Additionally, ingredients like glycolic acid are fab at naturally fading your colour.
You'll be able to top up your tan with a fresh new layer once your existing tan shows signs of fading. We'd advise waiting until your colour has completely faded away before stepping back in the booth to ensure even coverage and to give your new tan the best chance to last as long as possible.
But if you're looking to tan faster, tanning oil is designed to boost UV absorption, helping your skin deepen in color more quickly.
AFTER THE TAN
Shower lightly in cold – lukewarm water for 45 seconds ONLY after your desired development time. Use plain water, don't use shower gels, scrubs, shampoos or loofah during the first 24 hours after your treatment. Pat your skin dry. Do not rub or scrub your skin.
A patchy, streaky or dotty fake tan often means you've missed a 'prep step' in the run up to your treatment. Preparing your skin for your fake tan encourages an even, long-lasting glow so it's well worth examining your pre-tan routine to check where you might have gone wrong.
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.
Simply take some coconut oil (mixing other natural oils is okay as well), apply it on the uneven tanned areas, and leave it on overnight. When you wake up in the morning, simply wash your skin. Repeat the process each day, and your tan lines should be barely visible after a while.
Hydrate Your Skin
Use a hydrating lotion daily to nourish and quench your skin. Our personal favorite is the Hemp Nation Tan Extender, which helps to lock in moisture and extend the life of your tan. Well-hydrated skin will hold onto the spray tan longer and allows the colour to fade more evenly.
Make Sure Skin Is Completely Dry
Most experts recommend showering before applying self-tanner as this is the best way to ensure skin is clean and free of any oils or products that could interfere. But it's important not to rush into tanning straight away.