How to Apply a Fake Tan

Do you desire the sun-kissed glow often radiated by your favorite celebrities like Kate Hudson, Megan Fox, and many others? You, too, can look photogenic and event-ready with the help of a fake tan. 

We don’t recommend sun drying yourself all in the name of tanning, as UV rays have been proven to be a significant cause of cancer in our modern world.  A fake tan saves you from the cancerous effects of the sun. According to Pubmed, UV rays (from the sun) alter the human DNA and offset genetic mutations that eventually lead to cancer. 

One common challenge people face when applying a fake tan is the frustrating recurrence of unnatural tints or zebra-stripe streaks. And they face this hurdle because they lack the proper knowledge of the fake tan applications. Here, we will teach you how to apply fake tans correctly. We will expose the common fake tan secrets used by celebrities and professionals. 

Fake Tan Tips for Beginners

Applying a fake tan can take less than 10 minutes, but the preparation for the tanning process and waiting time can extend to about three hours. Follow the steps below to apply fake tan like a pro.

Exfoliate

Preparation is everything when it comes to tanning. The first two stages we will be observing will prepare your body for the sunless tanning procedure. So brace up.

One of the many reasons people get zebra-stripe streaks is because their dead skin cells got in the way of the tanning product. 

Before the fake tan application, you must exfoliate properly to remove your dead skin cells. When exfoliating, be gentle on your skin. Use a gentle exfoliating glove in the shower, not a hard one. 

Exfoliating is also great for your skin health. It refreshes your skin, hence bringing out the soft and supple version of your skin. The magic of an exfoliator is in its ability to free up your skin pores and remove dirty dead cells.

Shower

While this seems to be a very obvious step to take, many people fail to shower before tanning. You don’t want your exfoliator to mix with your fake tan, so it’s a must to shower after exfoliating. Showering rinses all the dead cells that failed to leave with the exfoliator. It is advisable you shower with warm water.

Get dry

Don’t apply the fake tan on wet skin. Water is a universal diluent and can reduce the concentration, aka the impact of the fake tan.

Get your mitt ready

Never apply a fake tan on your skin using your hands. Doing so, you risk over-tanning your palms and appearing unnatural. If you want an even tan color to be even across all parts of your body,  your best bet is to apply the fake tan on your mitt before using it on your skin.

The striking difference between a professional at indoor tanning lobbies and an amateur is the motion of the application. You see, rubbing a tan on your body in a circular manner causes the fake tan to congregate at specific areas on your body, making the tan color uneven.

The best way to apply a fake tan is by rubbing the product using long sweeping motions. That way, every part of your skin would get a fair share of the fake tan, and the final look would be even and attractive.  For a gradual tan, the process is entirely different. Since gradual tans are not as concentrated as fake tans, you can apply them using your palm. 

Rub using the mitt

Dispense the fake tan from the tube to the mitt. Then, apply it to your body. Do not rub in a circular motion to avoid leaving too much fake tan in various spots.

Some professionals prefer rubbing from the bottom to the top, while others favor the reverse direction. It doesn’t matter where you start. What matters the most is that every part of your body is tanned to make the final look streak-free.

The most tasking part to rub is the back. However, getting the fake tan to rhyme on the back is not impossible. Some of us are blessed with long hands, and reaching the back while bathing or tanning has never been an issue. For those who find it challenging to tan your back properly, you can get your family member or partner to do that for you.

Ensure they apply the tan with the mitt, so they don’t discolor their palms. In case they stain their hands with a little fake tan after lending you a helping hand, they can wash it off with micellar water afterward. Tanning your armpit is not necessary.

However, if you love evenness across all parts of your body, then you can tan the armpit too. Just make sure that it’s dry. We cannot overemphasize the essence of fake tan’s evenness across all body parts. Why? It will boost your confidence when wearing short clothes or at the beach. People with uneven tans might find it challenging to wear skimpy clothes because they don’t want to appear “unoriginal.” Don’t miss an area when tanning.

Exercise patience

Patience is a virtue. When tanning, don’t rush. You might miss a body part when rushing. Tan steadily and thoroughly. 

Wait for three hours.

Naturally, your fake tan should react with your skin cells under 20 minutes after application. But we recommend waiting for three hours to allow the fake tan to impact your skin thoroughly. For a fake tan, you only need to apply it once. On the other hand, you can apply a gradual tan several times.

Bath, Bath, Bath

Bathing is the ultimate step; you mustn’t get tired of getting under the shower again. Don’t overthink your skin’s color after the first ten minutes of applying the fake suntan. Wait for three hours and take your bath before concluding.  After bathing, you will notice the ‘tantastic’ effect of the sunless tanning session.

Cream your body

After bathing, feel free to use your cream. In case you’re wondering if your lotion will clean off the tan. No, your cream won’t affect the tan.

Final Thoughts

There’s no reason to look pale to your dinner or meeting when it takes less than 30 minutes to get that tan glow. We hope this guide has helped you gain more insight into the sunless tanning process.

FAQ

How long does a fake tan last?

A fake tan can last up to a week. You can prolong the time and deface the ‘tantastic’ glow by regularly moisturizing your skin. Bath and apply your cream regularly to keep the glow on.

Does shaving affect the tan?

We advise people to shave pre-tan because shaving can get the tan off your face. Also, you might not evenly distribute the fake suntan to your chin because of your facial hair. Always shave before tanning. Not after.

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