Say goodbye to that dull, wintery complexion and say hello to a healthy, natural-looking glow! Here’s how to become a beacon of light, all year round.
If there’s one aspect of our lives where we won’t be following in the footsteps of our mothers, it’s coating ourselves with baby oil and slow-roasting in the sun on a quest for golden tans.
These days it’s all about being sun-safe and skin-smart.
And rightly so – Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. With this in mind, you’ll find the answer to a tan at the bottom of a bottle, not on a beach or in a tanning bed.
Unless you’re down with the basics of sunless tanning, the thought of applying a product (let alone getting it to look natural) can be daunting for the uninitiated. Never fear, with these tips and tricks we’ll have you on your way to faking it with flair – whether you’re heading home to your bathroom or to your beautician to get beautifully bronzed.
Hair no more
Tanning lotions have a knack for staining hair, so if you’re looking for sexy smooth skin make sure you wax, shave or epilate the day before you tan to give your skin time to calm down. Follow up with an all-over moisturiser to replenish dehydrated skin.
Perfectly prepped
The key to tanning is having a perfectly prepped canvas on which to apply colour. Self-tanners work by staining the top layer of your skin, so by sloughing off dead skin cells you not only extend your tan’s life but also prevent patchy results. Use a buff, loofah or grainy body scrub to exfoliate, paying extra attention to drier areas such as elbows, knees and ankles that soak up colour more intensely.
Make sure your skin is cool and dry; moisture from wet or perspiring skin interferes with the performance of self tanners.
Pull your hair back from your face and shoulders and apply moisturiser to your elbows, knees, ankles and inside your belly button to prevent staining.
DIY tanning
With the surge in the self-tanner market, there’s no doubt you’ll find a product to suit you and that you love working with – whether spray, lotion, gel or mousse. Self-tanning products with a guide colour make spotting pesky streaks and missed patches a breeze, and using a pair of latex gloves to apply your tan is a must to avoid the telltale orange palm effect.
If you’re working with a spray, hold it around 20cm away from your body and distribute evenly. For lotions and gels, dispense around a dollar coin-sized amount on your palm and for mousses use a small egg amount. Massage into your skin in both horizontal and vertical motions from your toes to your neck (and your face if you opt to include it).
Be sparing with your knees, elbows and ankles, and extend your neck when applying, blending with moisturiser around the jaw line so there’s no visible line.
If you want to go for round two wait at least three hours.
Otherwise, reapplication once or twice a week will keep you looking tanned and terrific (just remember to exfoliate before each subsequent application).
High and dry
Whether tanning at home or in a salon, leave around 20 minutes for your tan to dry before you’re on the move again.
While most tans won’t permanently stain your clothing, wearing dark-coloured, loose-fitting attire is always ideal.
Leaving your tan to develop as long as possible will help ensure a rich hue, so it’s recommended you leave the product on for 12 hours before showering or working up a sweat.
Some formulas, such as that used by Naked Tan, mean you can wash in as little as two hours.
Post-faux glow
If you’ve gone down the DIY route, the first thing to do is wash your hands in warm soap and water. Use a nail brush to scrub your nails, then dip a cotton tip in moisturiser to remove any residue colour between your fingers and toes.
Use a tissue to blot any excess from your knees and elbows. Even for the most conscientious tanners, missed patches and streaks are a possibility. Many brands offer a tan remover to remedy these little nasties, so purchasing the complementing remover with your tanner is a good option.
To follow up, a bronzed shimmer lotion, body foundation or bronzing powder both hides sins and enhances a tan, which means masking those imperfections is a cinch.
Lastly, keeping your skin soft and hydrated by using an all-over body moisturiser each day will prolong your tan and promote even fading.
From left to right: San Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion, $39.95 for 200ml, San Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted, $33.99 for 200ml, Sisley Paris Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care, $140 for 150ml, ModelCo One Hour Tan Mousse, $20 for 200ml, Sunescape Instant Self Tan Mousse (Month in Maui), $39.95 for 180ml, Sukin Sunless Bronzing Gel, $17.95 for 200ml, J Bronze Medium Tanning Mousse, $39.95 for 150ml.
Winter warmers
• Any hint of orange will be highlighted in the winter months because your skin will be at its lightest – consult your beautician on the right brands and tones for you.
• For the pale and interesting, a fake tan can make you look more faux than fabulous in winter. Alabaster beauties may benefit more from a moisturiser with built-in tanner, which will gradually build and maintain a glow.
• Less is more. It’s easier to add layers to a conservative tan than lighten a too-dark job – be careful not to be overzealous with your tanner in winter.
• Pallid complexions can be instantly lifted with a dusting of bronzer or highlighter across the cheekbones.
• For golden radiance a face-specific tan is best for your face and neck. Not only is it better for your complexion but it’s also a more subtle colour concoction.
