how to apply self tanner

While everyone has their own schedule and preference, the Monday-Thursday plan will have you looking your best for the weekends, and won’t eat up too much of your time during the week. How to Apply St. Tropez Self Tanner Step 1: Exfoliate. Don't worry about borders; the skin on your lips and nipples won't be very much affected by self tanner, so don't go out of your way to avoid them. Apply a base layer of tanner. Some formulas allow you to build a tan gradually over the course of a few days or a week, while others immediately stain your skin bronze. Most people believe that self-tanners … DO Enlist a Friend. Fi… These types of products act as quick fixes for mistakes both big and small. Choose another answer! Be mindful of other notoriously dry areas of the body as you tan. If you want a deeper result, choose … But the perfect self-tanner can be elusive. Self-tanning is both an art and a science, so you want to follow a bit of a formula when you’re applying. After applying the tan you should avoid any activities that could possibly make you sweat or remove the tan, such as swimming. If you want to be extra safe, you can try to avoid tight clothing. You should avoid applying self-tanner to your eyebrows. “You don’t need to apply a lot of pressure when applying a self-tanner,” she says. This makes them safe to use and also fuss-free. Bonus points if yours is an organic tanner! Pay attention to areas like the knees and elbows where tan can build up. Some self-tan brands have moisturizers specifically formulated to prolong the life of your newly-found glow. It's fine to use it before going to bed, as the tan will be deeper the longer it has to set in. Apply the self-tanner to your ankle area, making sure to blend the self-tanner into the entire ankle area and work your way down into the foot area. Self-tanner is the safe way to get a summer glow, and we asked dermatologists and tanning experts to explain how exactly self-tanner works, plus how to use self-tanner … Put your hair up in a top knot bun (we love this big scrunchie as it won’t crease your hair). Do the same thing to your elbows, especially the part that puckers when your arm is straight. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Let’s do this! Always read the packaging on your tanning solution to determine how long you should wait before showering. Apply the self-tanner to any areas on your back you can easily reach first. By using our site, you agree to our. Getting the color right to suit everyone’s preference is difficult. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. ", video was a great representation of the application process. Focus on your knees (especially right under your kneecap), ankles, elbows, and wrists. 2. "Applying a new self tanner for my second time ever using one. Pjs tend to be the loosest types of clothing, so this can help you avoid any dreaded patches. Wait until your self-tan has fully developed before applying sunscreen (check the bottle for exact timing! I read this article, as I was, "Following these tips helped me do a fabulous job of applying my tan! Try again... Nice! Instead of using handfuls at a time, try pea-sized drops and add more as needed. Don't apply any to your toes, heels, or the sides of your feet, since these areas don't tan much naturally. Self tanners get a bad rap. For small areas like your feet, Pradas recommends using a synthetic makeup brush to blend everything evenly. Use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin prior to applying a self-tanner. How to Apply Self Tanner for a Streak-Free Finish Step 1. How to Prepare the Body for Self-Tanner Application? Try to catch mishaps early on. You've probably heard horror stories of bad self tanning jobs that include streaks, orange hands, and dark creases, but these problems can be avoided if you prep your skin correctly and apply the tanning formula with care. Pradas recommends using an exfoliating wipe, or making a paste with baking soda, water, and fresh lemon juice and applying it to the skin. Blend the edges of the area, so the newly-covered place merges into the already tanner areas. For the most impossible-to-tan area of your body — your back — "you can take a spatula and you can put the mitt on that," says Pradas. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. A day before application depilate your legs, arms and groins thoroughly. "If you want to deepen your skin tone a little, choose medium. You could get a friend to do it for you, or you could use some kind of cloth to spread the tanner around your back. After applying self-tanner, dust baby powder onto areas that are prone to creasing, like armpits and elbows. 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. Not quite! Then, dry off completely and avoid sweating so moisture doesn’t interfere with your tan. Choose the right formula.. When picking which self-tan formula is right for you, it comes down to your skin type. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Wish I knew this before I started! Gradual self-tanners are also OK to use on your face if you have non-sensitive skin. I just use a loofah without body wash- I think the St. Tropez brand exfoliator is a waste of money. . Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. "This way you really remove all of the dead skin cells that are sitting on top of the skin ready to come off," says Pradas. If you miss a spot, or apply too much product in one spot, you'll be left with a blotchy or streaky tan. Shave and exfoliate your skin the day before you apply your self-tanner. Bare spots are relatively easy to fix. “Do your legs first, but stop at your ankles,” says Evans. I feel much better using these tips. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Rinsing off too soon after could rinse streaks of tanner down the drain too. Why?” Evans asks. Problems in self-tanner application Abnormal skin tone because of self-tanner. Put a tanning glove o one hand. 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. Make sure you are standing in front of a mirror where you can clearly see application … I like to wear a robe or towel as I am getting ready in the morning to ensure I don’t get any residue on my clothes! Claghorn says applying in a circular motion, working in small sections will help avoid streaks. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Not quite! I like the mousse the best, so it’s the one I grab. STEP 1: … After applying, use a tan-safe moisturizer. If you're using a spray tanner, follow the directions regarding how far you should hold the can from your body and how long you should spray any given area. A lot of people I know apply self tanner to their body just once a week (say Thursday) and apply it to their face twice a week (Monday and Thursday). Step #1: Prep the Skin. The reaction between your skin and the chemicals in tanner may cause an unpleasant smell. Keep in mind that self-tanners won't protect against sunburn, so make sure to apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day to shield against sunburn. Why trust us? Holding it too close or spraying too long could result in an uneven tan. If you have fine hair on your legs or arms, there's no need to remove it before tanning unless you want to. Pick another answer! Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. Nope! Shave the day before, . 16. Remove all clothing and jewelry. Be extra careful not to use too much tanner this second time around. Approved. Doing your feet and hands last is important because you can move the excess product down your legs or arms, so it fades naturally. “Get a long-handled wooden spoon, put a tanning mitt on … If you want a gorgeous tan without worrying about sun damage, leave UV rays out of the equation and use a self-tanner (also known as sunless tanner). Her trick is to slip a tanning mitt over a spatula and use that to apply tanner to the areas on your back that are out of arm’s reach. Always wash your hands after you finish applying the lotion to your face and then, the final step, apply a small amount … It lasts about a week, and "will camouflage imperfections," says Kristyn Pradas, founder of Pradas Glow sunless tanning products and celebrity spray tanner who has bronzed the likes of Ariana Grande and Victoria's Secret Angels. In this case, 99% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 626,547 times. It’s impossible to apply the cosmetic properly on hair. Evans recommends tanning the face before the body because it's the easiest area to apply self-tanner … Pay attention to one section of the body, for example, the leg, when applying the self-tanner. Whether you like your skin to look slightly sun-kissed, or else a totally bronzed beach babe look, self tan is the quickest - and safest - way to fake a holiday glow. It takes awhile to work, and if you act too soon you might end up too tan! Once you know how to apply self-tanner, however, the benefits are seemingly endless. Don’t try to do your whole body at … It says I need to wait 2 - 4 hours for it to start to show. Exfoliating "will help produce a nice, even tan," says GH Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. Also, while you can tan your upper lip, you should try to apply only a small amount of tanner to that area, as your upper lip can darken quickly. What if your self-tan goes wrong? Some parts of the body are trickier to tan than others. The key to successful self-tanning is even product application. Not exactly! To create this article, 45 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. ", "A very thorough explanation of how to self tan.". 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. If applying the lotion onto your back becomes tough for you, opt for a spray one for this purpose. Now You Know How To Self Tan. Use plenty of lotion on your hands, and blend it into your wrists. Apply the … It's always best to apply self-tanner with your hands as this allows you the most control. 1. Follow these steps: Exfoliate. If you miss a spot with the self-tanner, how can you fix the problem? Apply: Apply the self tanner with a glove to prevent the dreaded orange hands. You don't need lemon juice to fix a bare spot. These areas are naturally dry and will soak in the self-tanner creating a visible line and discoloration. This is because instant self-tanners stain your skin in the first application, so if you've never used an instant self-tanner before, you might apply too much. It’s a great dupe and comes in a mousse or a spray. Instead, gradual self-tanners work by building up your tan over several applications. When you're tanning your face, a mitt will do the trick but you can also consider using a makeup brush, which helps diffuse the tan evenly and ensure a subtle, blended glow. If you feel sticky, you can apply baby powder with a large body powder puff 30–60 minutes after applying the lotion. However, if you are like me and don’t have the money to drop the cash, try out St. Moritz! Apply about one teaspoon of self-tanner to skin at a time and work the lotion in using circular motions. Apply the self-tanner in sections. Rub it in circular motions to prevent streaks, suggests Wnek. Always wash your tanning applicator mitt after each use with warm, soapy water and leave to air dry. Not necessarily! If you found these tips and tutorials to teach you how to apply self-tanner helpful, please share them on Pinterest! Read more for tips on touching up light spots and lightening dark spots! You may also want to protect your bathroom surfaces by putting down an old sheet or a plastic tarp and applying the self-tanner while standing on it. "Make sure that you blend it into the hairline in circular motions," says Pradas. Simply pump some of your self-tanner onto the application mitt and use it to smooth onto skin. Do not apply self tanner to the heel, between the toes and along the sides of the foot. The best self-tanners tested by beauty experts, including the best drugstore self-tanners, self-tanners for face, for fair skin, and for beginners from brands like Jergens and St. Tropez. Rough skin will cause the application to look even more uneven. References You want your skin to be clean when you apply your self-tanner, but you should wait a little bit post-shower to slather on your tanning solution. Think of self-tanner the way you would contour makeup and blend, blend blend. Follow the instructions on the packaging to apply your tan, whether it's a mist, drops, or other formula. However, if you have sensitive or finicky skin, you should try using a self-tanner specifically designed for your face. With no need to rinse off, this refreshing, non-sticky and fast-absorbing self tanner provides up to 72 hours hydration, for a longer-lasting and more even streak-free tan. Gradual self-tanning formulas are excellent for beginners, as they don't stain your skin in the first application. This article has been viewed 626,547 times. Continued Skip These Spots “For best product application, use a tanning mitt or latex gloves to apply the self-tanning product evenly and to avoid staining your fingers and palms,” explains Kittaneh. As for your face? Pick another answer! Make sure you wear a self-tanner mitt (some formulas actually come … No matter how thorough your application is, sometimes the tanner can still leave … Guess again! Once you get out of the shower, be sure to pat yourself dry instead of rubbing, since rubbing of any kind can cause skin cells to shed. Yep, that exists. 1. For a mist, Evans recommends holding … Self-tan removers often combine exfoliation to remove the top layer of skin, and hydration, since moisturized skin is less likely to hold onto pigment. For an even tan, exfoliate your body from head to toe before applying any self-tanner. Huffington post says you can use milk or ice to remove the fake tan from your face and body. And if you’re looking for more beauty tips and tricks, please follow our Beauty board where we share the latest and greatest! Add a pump of self tanner to a tanning glove and rub down areas you … Wait at least 10 minutes before getting dressed. In this way, you’ll avoid having untanned spots. "Choose your self tan shade based on the result you want, not your skin tone," says Hogg. “Do your legs first, but stop at your ankles,” … Applying self-tanner plays an important role in the tanning accomplishment because missing one step or tip while applying self-tanner means you can get into these troubles. Drying your skin before you apply a self … But make sure it dries for about 15 minutes to an hour before getting in your bed. You've probably heard that you should exfoliate before you tan, but for a truly seamless glow, Pradas recommends exfoliating every day for at least two to three days before you tan. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Finally, apply the self-tanning … 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. See Step 1 to learn how to create an even, natural-looking tan at home. This could cause streaking on your neck and face. I followed the steps, which made me feel like I did, "I have always had a mobile spray tanner before, but I needed a tan at short notice. The foot area will only contain the top. Every self-tanning product has a different method for even application. Wait at least 8 hours before deciding to apply more tanner. Before you begin tanning, Pradas recommends applying fragrance-free moisturizer to hands and feet only. It'll go away after a few hours. Sounds a bit silly right? Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel This clear and lightweight gel-to-water self tan starts to develop into a natural medium tan in just 3 hours. Then do your upper body, your arms, and your hands last. There’s an application process Self-tanning is both an art and a science, so you want to follow a bit of a formula when you’re applying. To extend the longevity of your self tanner try and moisturize your body once a day! To be sure your hands don't take on any unwanted splotches, wash them right after your finish tanning, being careful to avoid splashes that may get on the rest of your body. 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. {"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":"