Just don't use a product with mineral oil, plant oils are fine and won't ruin your tan. Put a drop of oil (safflower, jojoba, coconut,etc) right under your kneecap and use your fingers to spread it down the front of your leg. Or, just use powder highlighter like you would on your face.
But now we're tanned and gorgeous, thanks to the guiding hand of dermatologist and author Dr. Doris J. Day. The legs are a very difficult part of they body to apply the self tanners to. This is because your legs have varying skin thickness levels and self tanners only penetrate through the upper layer of your skin.
Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan. Skin on the legs is thicker and harder and the UV light from the sun or sunbeds cannot easily penetrate it.
Keeping the skin cool prior to tanning can help reduce strawberry legs as warmth can open the pores. Cold water or applying ice cubes can help prior. If shaving, change your razor regularly, make sure it's clean and not congested, use in conjunction with a smooth mousse/gel/cream in abundance.
To keep the drier areas from going patchy, make sure you moisturise all over and pay extra special attention to these troublesome areas. Try to leave the moisturiser to sink in for at least half an hour before you start the application stage of your fake tan routine.
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.
Also, elevate your legs slightly to improve blood circulation, which can help achieve a better tan. Rotate your body: To ensure an even tan, rotate your body during your tanning session. Spend time lying on your back, front, and sides to expose all parts of your legs to the UV light evenly.
Applying tanning mousses and gels: Pump your self tanner onto a tanning mitt, then sweep over the skin using circular motions to achieve an even-looking and streaky-free finish. Applying tanning mists: Spritz onto the body, then blend with a tanning mitt to achieve a natural-looking bronze.
Spray tanning with hairy legs is absolutely your personal choice. However, bear in mind, excessive hair can hinder an even tan. It's recommended to remove unwanted body hair before the session for better results.
Is there any residue left on your calves from products like moisturiser, shaving foam or body oil? All these cosmetic products act as a barrier to fake tan and can prevent the skin from 'grabbing' colour.
The skin on most areas of your legs is thicker and harder than the rest of your body and ultraviolet (UV) rays can't easily penetrate it. The skin here is also dryer, resulting in quicker exfoliation of the outer layers. On top of that, dry skin deflects UV light, making the whole tanning process less effective.
Fair skin can tan under the sun, but only with care. Start with short, consistent exposure, about 10-15 minutes a day during safer times like early morning or late afternoon. Always wear sunscreen (yes, even when aiming for a tan) and reapply it as directed.
Coconut oil is perhaps the most popular natural carrier oil used for tanning. It has an SPF of 2 to 4 (according to other sources, from 2 to 8). Coconut oil absorbs really well and enhances the tan due to stimulating the production of melanin in the skin.
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.
When applying self-tanner to your legs, it's essential to work in sections. Start from the ankles and work your way up to the thighs, using long, sweeping motions. Use a tanning mitt or a latex glove to ensure an even application and to protect your hands from staining.
Even Application: Self-tanner can settle into open pores or hair follicles if applied immediately after shaving. Allowing a day between shaving and tanning gives these openings time to close naturally, resulting in a more even application of the tanner and a smoother finish.
The short answer: be sure to moisturise 24/48 hours before you plan to fake tan. This ensures that your skin is in the very best condition it can be before a fresh layer of fake tan, as well as exfoliating and removing any unwanted hair of course. Any later than this could mean an uneven final result.
Around 48 hours before tanning, make a date with a body scrub. In the shower, use circular motions to buff Kiehl's Gently Exfoliating Body Scrubs onto the limbs, paying particular attention to the stubborn areas of dry skin on the knees, ankles, elbows and wrists.