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.
You should also exfoliate after applying your tan, as Evans explains to Bustle: ``A light exfoliation every few days will keep the color even. Exfoliate lightly every two to three days while your self tanner is on. This will ensure that your tan is fading evenly.
Exfoliate regularly
For a tan that fades evenly, it's important to start gently exfoliating three days after you have applied your tan – and then every day until your tan has been buffed away completely. Our Exfoliating Body Scrub , is the perfect refreshing exfoliant.
A tan from being outside will last an average of 7–10 days. The sun's UV rays stimulate melanin production in the cells of the outer skin layer, so once these cells are shed, you are left with your original skin tone.
“Mix lemon juice with a little baking soda or baby oil. Saturate the skin with the mixture, then let it sit for about five minutes before removing with a cleansing wipe—this will erase the tan entirely,” she says.
Using body products with either vitamin C or coconut oil (or both!) are good products to apply onto the skin. All types of natural oils are extremely healthy for your skin. 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.
Soak in oil and buff with an exfoliating mitt
Oils, on the other hand, break down DHA and can fade fake tan faster. It does, so lather up or soak yourself in oil. You can also use coconut or olive oil, which should be left on the skin for 10 minutes before washing off.
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.
Add a layer of radiance
A single application can extend your colour for a few more days and balance out an uneven fade off. Once your special event is over, allow your tan to fade away in full and exfoliate your skin a day before your next spray tan. This creates the perfect base for a new application of tanner.
And if you apply too much DHA for your skin tone, you can end up slightly orange – no matter how good quality a tanning formula you use.
If you have specific tan lines or if you are looking for how to fix a patchy tan of uneven color, make sure you exfoliate those areas but refrain from the rest of your tan. This will help even everything out and make it look natural. Be sure to use a gentle exfoliant or exfoliating mitt for optimal results.
If you're applying mousse, use it like any fake tan product – put a little in the palm of your hand and apply to your face evenly. Make sure you apply up to your hairline and around the eyes. You can also use a brush on the hairline to ensure it blends with the scalp for a more natural look.
Mix one teaspoon of baking powder with half a teaspoon of water, and two teaspoons of lemon juice until a paste starts to form. Tanning pros advise that you leave it on for three minutes before removing. A little birdy has told us that toothpaste can also be of use if you're trying to make your hands look lighter.
- Lemon juice can help to dissolve uneven patches of self-tan on small areas, such as your ankles, wrists and palms. - Mixing lemon juice with a tablespoon of sugar or bicarbonate of soda will gently exfoliate the area which will further help to pull out any excess tan.
Getting rid of an old spray tan If you're trying to get rid of an old spray tan, the best tip is to sit in a hot bath with coconut oil added to it. Ensure this is at least a day prior to a fresh spray tan as the oil will disagree with your new tan. After about twenty minutes of soaking, rub off with an abrasive cloth.
Avoid OILS on the skin!
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.
To get rid of fake tan quickly, try soaking in a warm bath with baby oil, followed by exfoliating with an exfoliating mitt.
Common reasons for patchy self-tanning include having products on the skin (perfume, deodorant, oil-based moisturizers, etc.) that can cause your tan to break down and fade unevenly.