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.
Before I apply any self tanner I ALWAYS shower to wash and exfoliate my skin. This will help your tan last longer and go on more evenly. Shave if you need to. This will not only help with exfoliating your skin but also helps when applying the tanner. It goes on much more smoothly.
Before applying self-tanner, it's important to prep your skin adequately. A key step to an excellent faux tan (that lasts!) is exfoliation. "Before applying faux tanner, your skin should be completely clean, dry, and exfoliated to remove any dead, dry skin," says Samantha Magill of Tournesol Beauty.
Ensure you're applying your preferred product to clean, dry skin after showering and 24 hours post-shaving. Keep your application light and you'll be good to go. Learn more about preparing for your self tan here.
It's recommended to shower prior to a tanning session to ensure clean skin that is free of makeup, perfumes and deodorant, all of which can negatively affect the quality of your tan. During the shower, make sure to exfoliate in order to remove dead skin cells so that the clean skin underneath is ready for the UV.
Avoid shaving immediately before your spray tan session. Ideally, shave 24 hours prior to allow your skin to recover and avoid any potential irritation. Exfoliate gently: If you're shaving before tanning, gently exfoliate your skin using a mild scrub or exfoliating glove.
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.
Moisturizing before self-tanning is beneficial for nearly everyone, regardless of skin type. Areas like your hands, feet, elbows, and knees tend to be drier and thicker than the rest of your skin. These spots can absorb more self-tanner, leading to darker patches and an uneven tan.
You can shave after tanning without removing all your newfound colour. Just make sure you wait at least 8 hours, so your tan has had time to develop. Then shave with gentle pressure, using a brand-new razor and an oil-free wash or shaving foam that won't break down your faux glow.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Dry skin will actually hold more color than soft and smooth skin. By exfoliating, you can remove these cells and unclog pores, which will help promote an even tan. In the shower, use a loofah with a good body scrub, or use a body brush for even 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.
Clear body wash or soaps like DIAL, IVORY, LEVER 2000, IRISH SPRING or ZEST are recommended. LOTIONS Avoid any oils or lotions that use mineral oil (petroleum), baby oil, coconut oil, and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (which is found in most body washes).
No, unless you want some tanning mishaps! Please ensure that your glove is dry before using to ensure a perfect application.
Before applying fake tan it's vitally important to have clean skin. By making sure you have a relaxing bath or shower with some of your favourite spa products and using a good cleanser on your face you will make sure you have thoroughly eliminated all residual dust and dirt as well as dead skin cells.
Stay hydrated!
You should know by now that dehydrated skin can lead to flaking & peeling causing your fake tan to fade faster and resulting in a scaly tan. We want to try to avoid this as much as we can… Drinking plenty of water is going to keep the skin hydrated and feeling smooth.
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.
Right before tanning, cleansing the skin will create a smooth base that allows the fake tan to adhere evenly. The key is to avoid anything too oily, lather up with Kiehl's Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser, formulated with aloe vera and hydrolyzed wheat proteins, it softens and gently cleanses the skin.
Can you self tan or spray tan with hairy legs? The answer is yes! I know it seems like the hair may get in the way, but it doesn't. This is also why I only tell people to remove unwanted hair before any fake tan application.
The cold water will help close the pores and reduce skin inflammation. If you have time, you can soak a towel in cold water and place it on your face for a few minutes for even better results so you won't use the fateful phrase, "I get pimples after shaving" again.
The day of your session, shower using either a non-moisturizing translucent body wash. Do NOT use a moisturizing soap or body wash (especially Dove) before you tan. It is best to shower between 4 and 12 hours before your appointment.