All You Need To Know For Self Tan Success!

by BR Tabatha

There's something about the glow of a tan that just makes me feel healthier. The only problem is, I know if I'm getting that glow from the sun I'm spending too much time out in it, and that's not a good thing. What's a girl to do? Self tan, of course!

I make it sound so easy breezy, don't I? Like applying self tan is as simple as slopping on some self tan mousse or cream, then, after it's dried down, slipping into something comfy while it develops, before washing it off. Except anyone who's ever gone into self tanning with such a cavalier attitude often ends up slapping themselves for not doing their research. The thing is, self tanning requires preparation and precision, starting with...

48 Hours Before Tan Time

If you are planning to wax or epilate, this is the time to do it. If you de-fuzz yourself just before self tanning the product will seep into your pores and not look pretty.

24 Hours Beforehand

The day before you self tan, hop in the shower and get exfoliating. Slough off those dead skin cells. You want to create a smooth surface to work with. After you've exfoliated get moisturising with an oil-free moisturiser (oil creates a barrier between the skin and self tan, which is why you want to avoid it). Slather the stuff on. The reason why you're moisturising now and not immediately before? Because you don't want the product sliding around, which can happen when you moisturise immediately before self tanning.

On The Day

The day that you intend to self tan, the first thing to do is to make sure you've covered any area that has a porous surface to ensure the self tan doesn't stain your living space. As for areas of yourself that you don't want stained - such as your cuticles, eyebrows and hairline - applying patroleum jelly will stop the product from bleeding into the spots and staining.

If you still have any particularly dry areas, such as your ankles, elbows or wrists, this is when you can apply a very light amount of moisturiser. This will help create an even tan, rather than a patchy tan, which can be caused by dry skin sucking in more product than in more hydrated areas.

Next? Before you continue, you want your face and body to be completely dry as moisture is the enemy of self tan. This also means not applying self tan in a steamy bathroom.

With a tanning mitt in hand and your self tanner of choice (if you've yet to discover that, check out the independent reviews from our wonderful Beauty Review community), it's time to get down to business. Start to work the product into your legs, arms, the stomach, chest and back, back of the neck, decolletage... all over. (You may need to get a friend to help with your back, but tools do exist to get to those hard to reach places.) Whatever's left on your mitt can then be swept over the hands and feet.

Your self tanner can also be used on your face, but if you're not game to go the whole hog, then mix some in with your favourite moisturiser to create a gradual tan. Don't forget to tan your whole face - including your ears so that you don't end up with odd looking lighter patches.

The Wait

Next, you have to let the tan develop. That means letting it dry down while you roam about in the nude. Once that's sorted, pop on loose, preferably dark, clothing that you don't mind getting stained if any of the tan transfers, then wander about doing whatever you fancy for the time stated on the self tanner's instructions. Once that passes, you can pop in a warm shower, rinse off until the water runs clear, then grab a towel and gently dry off using a patting motion to reveal the golden glowing goddess that is you!

The Follow Up

Maintenance is relatively easy. Every few days lightly exfoliate to keep the tan looking even, and be sure to moisturise daily. If you're wanting to continue the tan without going throught the whole process, top up with a gradual tanner.

Self tanning can be daunting, there's no doubt about that. There can be trial and error involved, which is why we recommend not trying self tanning for the first time before a big event. But once you've got it sorted you'll never need to resort to sunning yourself ever again.

So, have you yet to self tan and are you keen to try? And if you're a fan of the self tan, what are your favourite tricks and tips when it comes to getting your glow on? Get chatting below!