How To Achieve a Flawless Tan, Sans The Sun And Toxins!
Summer is right around the corner, and while most of us are eagerly awaiting being able to go outside and lay around our pools or hang out at the beach, you might also be wanting to get a head start on your tan!
Self-tanners have a bad rep, we know. But that’s why we rounded up a few helpful tips on how to make the process easier and the results way, way better!
Achieving an at-home-tan 101:
Exfoliate your entire body (neck, down) the day of application. This will make sure the self-tanner does not stick to any dry, rough areas or leave you with a patchy finish. Make sure to get your ankles, knee’s, knuckles, in-between your fingers, etc.! Our top pick is the Luminous Body Scrub from Botnia because it will help slough off any dead skin sitting on the surface, and also contains nourishing ingredients to hydrate the skin and leave it feeling healthy and moisturized.
If hair removal is your thing, this should be done prior to application. For waxing/sugaring, make sure to do this at least one day prior to applying your self-tanner. If shaving, we recommend waiting 3-4 hours as to avoid the tanner getting stuck in the pores.
Before applying any self-tanner, apply a lightweight, non-greasy lotion to your hands, feet, ankles, elbows, and anywhere you feel tends to get rough and dry most frequently! This will make sure that the product does not attach itself to these areas and clump up, leaving you with an uneven finish.
Application:
Begin by working in small sections to avoid over-applying the tanner and to ensure even distribution. This will also help you make sure that you have time to blend everything before it dries! If you’re working with a spray (such as this one from Coola!) we suggest spraying the product into the palm of your hands instead of directly onto the skin. This will help you avoid getting the product all over whatever room you’re in, and will also help to make sure you achieve an even finish— just make sure to wash your hands when done! (Tip: If you have extra dry skin, adding a lightweight lotion into the palm of your hand along with the spray will help it to glide on easier and help you avoid streaks!)
Any leftover product on your mit/hands/whatever you use to apply it can be distributed onto your feet and hands, as these areas usually don’t need much product. Make sure to get in between your toes and fingers, and around your ankles as well! With most sunless tanners, you can also apply them to your face, but we suggest doing a patch test beforehand to make sure you don’t have any sort of adverse reaction!
Once you’ve finished applying the product, you’ll want to make sure you wear loose fitting, dark clothing (or something you just wouldn’t mind possibly getting stained!) and also avoid sweating (and crying— if applied to your face/neck area!) for the development period. This time frame varies on which product you’re using, but is usually for at least 3 or 4 hours. We suggest finding a good show on Netflix or Hulu and bingeing out on the couch! 😉
When time is up, hop in the shower and rinse off the excess product! You’ll want to avoid any type of loofah or exfoliating washcloth, as this can scrub off the tan. Make sure to apply a moisturizing lotion to help lock-in moisture and keep your tan looking fresh!
When it’s time to re-do your tan, simply hop in the shower with a good exfoliator and repeat the process!
Warmly,
Team Toccare