A mousse is going to give you the most even and easy application. You always use a mitt to apply a self tan mousse unlike the other types of self tanners which allows for an easier and even application.
Apply lotion and let it sit for 10 mins. Use a makeup brush instead of a mitt on your hands/feet. Blend whatever is left on the brush around your palm for a nice gradient look.
Do not apply lotion before self tanner -- moisturizer acts as a barrier so it will prevent the self tanner from working. Same goes for oils and perfumes. You want your skin to be as clean as possible!
If you can, wait at least an hour before applying your self tan so you give your moisturiser enough time to really get to work on your skin.
Using a mitt is a popular choice for applying self-tanner because it helps to distribute the product evenly and prevent streaks.
The longer you leave the product on your skin, the deeper your result will be. For a light to medium tan, rinse off after 30 minutes. For a deep tan, rinse off after 1 hour. For the deepest tan, rinse off after 2-3 hours.
Try using lemon and sugar to create a DIY tan removing scrub, or combine lemon or lime juice with baking soda for a fast-acting fake tan remover. Rub onto your body with a warm washer, then rinse thoroughly. Another winning kitchen combo? Olive oil and sugar.
Apply your tan
The best time to self tan your face is in the evening, as it allows the product to develop overnight. Consider it a part of your evening skincare routine. Start by cleansing the skin and removing all traces of makeup. Next, lightly moisturize around your nostrils and other dry spots.
As a general rule of thumb, I usually apply 2 pumps per bottom leg, 3-4 pumps per thigh, and 2-3 pumps per arm. If you ever feel like you've picked up too much product, simply grab the excess with your mitt and rub it into a place on your body with a larger surface area like your stomach or your back.
Apply your tanner in small sections, so that you can ensure that each area is evenly and fully covered before moving onto the next. As you apply it, keep buffing in the tan to prevent it looking streaky. To apply a self tan foam or mousse we recommend using a tanning mitt to avoid any staining to the hands.
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.
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.
what happens if i forget to shower off the tan? the longer you keep the tan on, the darker it will get. however, some skin types may experience discoloration (looking a bit orange or yellow) if left on too long past around 8 hours. you may also get a streaky tan as you're more likely to rub or wash off some sections.
Apply with a mitt
There are a few different ways to apply your fake tan, we would recommend using a mitt for a flawless application. Our Tanning Mitt has a lotion proof barrier to protect your hands from staining while also achieving streak free coverage with flexibility to reach all areas.
To avoid staining your hands, always apply self tanner with a tanning mitt. Gels and mousses should be dispensed directly onto the mitt then swept over the skin, while mists should be spritzed onto the skin then blended with the mitt.
If you don't have any rubber gloves handy, you can also use a sock for self-tanner application. Go with a thicker sock that doesn't have a match and use it to give your skin a healthy tan glow. Slipper socks may be a great option for a self-tanner applicator because of their thickness.
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.
Yes, here's how: Take a large powder brush; spritz the self-tan spray onto the brush, then use circular motions, buff into the face, blend into the hairline and down towards the neck, and decolletage. You can always do a second layer, and just buff into the cheekbones to subtly sculpt.