Makeup Files

Tanning is popular. Who doesn’t love a nice tan glow to their skin? It signifies summer!

The only healthy tan is a fake one, though.

Sure, you could go lay out on the lawn and soak in the sun, but you know what comes with that, right? A higher risk for skin cancer. Plus, wrinkles. No one wants that.

Luckily, you can get the same look as a suntan without going in the sun (or using a tanning bed.)

It’s called self tanner, or sunless tanner. This comes in a cream or lotion that you can get at your local drug store. Or, you could buy a fancy expensive brand online or in a department store, too.

Before you go slathering on the self tanner, there are some things you need to know. When you go in all willy-nilly, you’re going to end up with one terrible self tan.

Follow these tips for using self tanner to avoid a terrible tan.

Exfoliate

For a few days before using your self tanner, exfoliate. Exfoliating sloughs off any dead skin or hard-to-remove dirt.

You can do this two ways:

1. Use a shower pouf or washcloth to scrub your skin clean. Do this head to toe. Don’t miss any spots!
2. Use an exfoliating scrub beauty product, such as Flake Away from Soap and Glory. Try a scrub like this all over your body. Spend extra attention on drier areas like elbows and knees.

Dry skin soaks up self tanner way more than the rest of your skin. If you leave the area dry, your skin will be darker there. Beleive me, you don’t want your tan to be way darker on your elbows, knees and ankles.

When I use sunless tanning lotion, I do a double whammy and use both methods. First I use the exfoliating scrub, mostly on the dry spots. Then I go over my whole body with a shower pouf lathered with my favorite body wash (philosophy, anyone?).

You should do this exfoliating routine every day for three days before starting to use self tanner.

Moisturize

Just like exfoliating, using a body lotion can help keep your skin silky smooth.

Again, dry skin is bad and will ruin your self tan.

Pretty much any body lotion will do, but the stronger the better. Use this anywhere you plan to use self tanner (which is likely your entire body.) Since you’ll be using a lot of this, be sure to get a big jug of it.

Like exfoliation, you should use body lotion every day for three days before starting the self tanner. I suggest using it after you get out of the shower and have toweled off. Slightly moist skin makes the lotion go on easier.

Get Clean

Let’s say you have a layer of dirt on your skin. Do you think self tanner will work well if you put it on over it? You’re right, it wouldn’t.

On the day you plan to start using the self tanner, take a shower. While you’re in there, exfoliate one more time, it can’t hurt.

Before you start, though, you want to be completely dry. So towel off and hang out for a while before using the self tanner.

Self Tanner Application

It’s time! After all this preparation, you can finally use your self tanner.

For best results, follow these tips for self tanning:

1. Read the directions. While most self tanners work the same, that isn’t always the case. Read the bottle.
2. Start from head to toe. That way, if you accidentally drip a dot of self tanner on you, you’ll find it and smooth it out before it becomes a problem.
3. Rub it in as best you can. If you don’t rub it in well, your tan will streak. It’s happened to me, it can happen to you.
4. Using it on your face? That’s fine. Just don’t forget to rub it into your hairline or it’ll look like you’re wearing a tan mask.
5. Get help to tan your back. I don’t know about you, but I can’t reach the middle of my back. I need help. Make sure you have someone to get the hard-to-reach area.
6. Limit self tanner lotion in tricky areas. These are dry spots (although they shouldn’t be nearly as bad with all that preparation) and creases. What do I mean by creases? Your inner elbow, for example. Tanner can build up there and produce a really dark line. This has happened on my neck.
7. Don’t forget certain areas. Tops of your feet, tops of your hands, bikini line. These are easily forgotten, that is until you end up with bright white spots mingled in with your tan skin.
8. Wash your hands carefully. After using the tanner over your whole body, make sure you wash your hands. But watch out! Only delicately wash your palms and your fingers. Otherwise you may end up with a tan that ends at your wrist. Not cute!
9. When done, dry off. If you put on your clothes while you’re still moist from self tanning, your clothes could tan as well and cause a stain. Instead, hang out (naked) and air dry completely before dressing. And watch where you sit!

Great! You’ve used the self tanner. You may notice a slight change in your skin right away, but most of the effects will be gradual. You will have the full tan by the end of the day.

For best results, use the self tanning lotion every day until you’ve reached your desired tan level. Then, depending on the brand, you’ll usually reapply once per week.

Super Tanning Trick: Have lighter spots on your body from tan lines, like from bra straps? Use self tanner just on these spots for a few days longer in order to even out your look.

Too scared to try a full-fledged self tanner for the first time? I don’t blame you. There are many ways it can go wrong. For beginners, try a gradual tanning lotion, like Jergens Natural Glow moisturizers. These are body lotions with a hint of tanner that don’t show up until a few days of use.

Have some of your own expert self tanning tips? Add them in the comments to help the newbies!

Photo credit: fragglerawker_03
Photo credit: mag3737