Fake Tan: The Essential Tips and Tricks

June 13, 2012
By: Jessica Bensted

With the British summer darting back and forth between glorious sunshine and howling gales, it’s important to bring a little bit of sun to you – without the burning or streaking. Fake tan is a beauty essential this summer and there is no need to live in fear of it anymore with the huge range of products available on the high street.

The important thing to remember about fake tan is to exfoliate and moisturise before applying. If your skin has been neglected for a while, moisturise nightly for a minimum of three days before application and exfoliate gently focusing on the knees, ankles and elbows. Remember, the streaks that appear after fake tan development are the bits you’ve missed, not a reaction or an over application of the tan, so make sure you apply fake tan slowly and thoroughly. Another crucial thing to remember is to always use a mitt. These will save your palms from going brown and can be bought cheaply from Superdrug at around £3.99.

A product that I have used for years now is L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Fresh Feel Gel. This is a type of gradual tan which I apply all over my body at night, giving it good time to develop. I start application with my face on a clean mitt, then my neck and finally, the rest of my body. One application gives just a hint of colour, but to get a deeper tan, re-apply until the desired tan is achieved and apply 2-3 times a week to maintain.

Instant tans are perfect for a night out and there certainly isn’t a shortage of them on the market. Rimmel Instant Tan Sunshimmer is available in a matte and shimmer finish and in a variety of shades, is one of the best products available. Squeeze a little more than a 5p piece on to the mitt, dab on the front and back of the leg and rub in gently in circular motions, paying close attention to the knees, ankles and elbows. Apply all over the body leaving the face, hands and feet until last. Rub whatever is left on the mitt over the hands and feet making sure there are no bits left untouched. For the face, apply a small amount to a clean make up sponge, dab onto the chin, nose, forehead and cheeks and blend. Always check under the chin and the back of the neck for missed spots. What’s great about instant is that it washes off easily, so if you get a streak that is too dry to blend, grab a baby wipe, wipe it off and start again. Make sure your whole body is dry before getting dressed and applying make up. If you prefer a mousse, which can be easier for first time users as they are lighter on the skin, I would seriously recommend St Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Mousse. It is simple to apply and you can get it from Amazon for £3.20 – an absolute steal for all fake tan users.

The chances of your fake tan going horribly wrong are small with the latest products available on the high street. A final tip, if you do end up with a large blotch of orange, acetone nail varnish remover is an absolute God-send. Keep rubbing at it and eventually it will wear away.