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.
As sweat is acidic, it can cause self tan to break down when left to sit on the skin.
Definitely shave about 24 hours before. That way, it acts to exfoliate dead skin and remove hair which will leave you with a smoother tan later. If you wait until afterwards, then you'll be taking off the top layer of the tan and it won't be as dark or last as long :)
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.
We know, we know — this seems totally obvious. But after showering, towel off and wait 10 minutes until you're 100 percent dry. "Your skin has to be completely dry," Evans tells Allure. "Water left on the skin will cause a big problem as water will erase and dilute the tan resulting into dreaded streaks and patches."
Keeping the skin cool prior to tanning can help reduce strawberry legs as warmth can open the pores.
Tanning lotions are fantastic for gliding across smooth skin but can be trickier to blend into a hairy chest, legs and arms. We recommend you opt for a tanning spray or mousse instead because the lighter texture is easier to buff into the skin even when applied over hairy areas.
Apply Moisturizer Before Tanner
After exfoliating your body, continue the prepping process by applying a moisturizer. You shouldn't apply self-tanner without moisturizing first, because skipping out on this prep step could potentially leave you with patchy color — this goes for your face and the rest of your body.
Self Tanner
“Self-tanning lotions are a safe alternative to tanning beds and sun exposure, and they work by temporarily staining the outermost layer of the skin with a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA),” notes Aimee Carr, an esthetician, makeup artist, and founder of Voodoo Makeup.
You absolutely can go swimming with a fake tan, so there is nothing stopping you from diving into the pool. It is worth bearing in mind that while you can happily cool off in the water, your tan may suffer as a result. Swimming for long periods of time can cause your sunless tan to fade away a little bit quicker.
Wearing tight clothing
This is especially true in the first few hours post-tan when the solution is still fresh on your skin. Wearing tight clothing immediately after your session can cause friction and rub off the tan in certain areas, leaving you with a streaky mess.
We want your tan to be 20/10 and unfortunately if moisturiser is applied it can leave blotches, marks and strip the tan in certain spots on the skin. Once you've washed off the colour guide and waited at least 8 hours, you can apply your favourite moisturiser to your entire body.
If you wax your legs or use a hair removal cream, you'll need to make sure you schedule around your self-tan carefully. According to Evans, both wax and hair removal cream can remove self-tanner, so plan any hair removal at least 24 hours in advance of your tanning session to ensure the legs tan properly.
We get that it can seem like an unnecessary extra step. But skip it at your peril, because without it you're near guaranteed to end up streaky. While many of us also shave before tanning, your most essential pre-tan prep is a thorough exfoliation.
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 using a spray, hold the can about six inches away from your underarms and spray in a downward motion. Be sure to blend the self-tanner well into your skin to avoid streaking. When using a mousse, apply a small amount onto a tanning mitt and blend it onto your underarms in circular motions.
Keratosis pilaris may have a link to vitamin A deficiency. Taking vitamin A supplements or using moisturizers or creams with small amounts of vitamin A may help treat keratosis pilaris.
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.
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.
No, unless you want some tanning mishaps! Please ensure that your glove is dry before using to ensure a perfect application.