We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Make sure the product you're using mentions "face" or "face and body" on the bottle, advises Good Housekeeping Beauty Director April Franzino. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. It's always best to apply self-tanner with your hands as this allows you the most control. “A self-tan will work off the PH balance of the skin so exfoliating and washing 8 If you have a bare spot, you don't need to scrub the entire area. Make sure you are standing in front of a mirror where you can clearly see application … Try mixing the tanner with lotion for a more gradual, natural tan. How to Apply Self Tanner. Apply this spray as you would any other self-tanner: Exfoliate beforehand, use enough product for even application, and give it 2 to 4 hours to develop. DO Enlist a Friend. If you feel sticky, you can apply baby powder with a large body powder puff 30–60 minutes after applying the lotion. To create this article, 45 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 626,547 times. This can help if you tend to get self tanner … You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, A Pro Golfer’s Game Time Beauty Essentials. Even if you wash your hands after applying self-tanner, you might still notice streaks that appear 4 to 6 hours later. ", "A very thorough explanation of how to self tan.". Not only does a mitt help self-tanner go on easily and streak-free, but since you wear it like a glove, it also protects your fingers from any unwanted stains. No trials and tribulations with lip liner, blush, or toe nail polish is as difficult to master as is achieving a natural colored, even tan to your entire body. Focus on rough spots like your elbows and knees. Around your feet, spread the tanner from your legs onto your ankles and the tops of your feet, and use as little as possible in this area. ), and be sure to reapply sunscreen regularly when outdoors. Most people believe that self-tanners are not to be applied frequently. Drier skin tends to soak up more self-tanner than moisturized skin, so diluting or wiping off self-tanner … Not quite! Try again... Before you apply self tanner, take a shower and exfoliate your skin to get a more even tan. Doing your feet and hands last is important because you can move the excess product down your legs or arms, so it fades naturally. Self tanner won’t go on right when your skin is damp, so I usually put on some makeup while waiting for my body to dry from the shower. STEP 1: … For the most flawless application, it's best to use a tanning mitt. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. However, if you have areas of skin that are too dark or streaked, you can apply lemon juice and wash it off after 20 minutes to lighten the spot. Then apply it to the next section. Read on for another quiz question. Buildable formulae are safe to use every day. 16. Let’s do this! When the time comes to apply self-tanner to your face, concentrate on the same areas the sun would naturally hit, like your forehead, cheekbones, center of your nose, and the center of your chin. Do the same thing to your elbows, especially the part that puckers when your arm is straight. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Nope! … If you have a hairbrush with a smooth and even surface on the back, you can also use that to get your back. It's fine to use it before going to bed, as the tan will be deeper the longer it has to set in. "If you want to deepen your skin tone a little, choose medium. Thanks for that tip. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. In a pinch, any moisturizer will do — just be sure it's been completely absorbed before you start tanning. Try another answer... Nope! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Apply-Self-Tanner-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Apply-Self-Tanner-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Apply-Self-Tanner-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid27586-v4-728px-Apply-Self-Tanner-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"