Sunless tanner application tips: how to apply self tanner
The only safe tan is a sunless tan, and here are some application tips for that important question: How to apply self tanner.
Sunless tanners have come a long way. Gone are the days of resembling an Oompa Loompa from Willie Wonka and here are the days of a realistic, sun-kissed look. But in order to ensure your bottled tan looks real, there are a few essential steps you must follow for flawless application.
- Exfoliate. This is a key step that most people skip and realize once it’s too late. When you exfoliate, you remove dead skin cells that sit on the surface of your skin. If you apply the self-tanner without exfoliating, those dead skin cells will be highlighted. The tanner will absorb into the skin resulting in an uneven and far from natural looking tan.
- Avoid Lotions. Sunless tanner must be applied to clean and dry skin. Lotion works as a barrier to self-tanner, so if you need to apply it, do it only after the sunless tanner has dried.
- Watch Those Elbows, Knees and Feet. If you’re not careful, these three areas will be a dead give away that your tan came from a bottle. Because the skin is thicker on your elbows, knees and heels, you have to apply the sunless tanner very sparingly. A good trick is to apply the tanner all over, avoiding these areas, and then mix two parts tanner with one part water and apply to elbows, knees and heels. This will ensure that you don’t get unnatural streaks or dark spots.
- Wash Your Hands. This is a step that you must not forget. Wash your hands immediately after application, and make sure you use soap and warm water. Tan palms are a dead giveaway and because of the skin texture, they will turn orange, no matter how good the sunless tanner is.
- Use A Mirror. The trick to a natural-looking tan is smooth and consistent application. A mirror is the best tool to ensure you are applying evenly. For your arms, start on the top of your hands and work up. Be sure to get the underneath part of your arms, and work all the way up to your neck. For your legs, start on the top of your feet and work up.
- Separate Face and Body. Sunless tanners have come a long way and your best bet is to get two kinds—one for the face and one for the body. The skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than the skin on your body so a face lotion works best. For extra protection, choose one with an SPF.
- Get Bronzed. In order to ensure smooth and even application, the best sunless tanners are the ones that contain bronzers or tints. This not only allows you to see where you have or have not applied the lotion, but it also allows your tan to develop naturally and prevent people from wondering why you came to the party pale and you left the party with a tan. The majority of sunless tanners on the market contain a bronzer or a tint, so you will have multiple choices.
- Don’t Go Too Dark. Sunless tanners generally come in two shades: Light to Medium and Medium to Dark. If you have fair skin, light hair and light eyes, don’t choose the medium to dark. This will guarantee your tan will look fake, regardless of what time of year it is. Sunless tanners work by stimulating the melanin in your skin, the same thing that occurs when you tan from the sun. The darker tanners stimulate the melanin more, and they are designed for darker skin tones. The purpose of sunless tanning is to avoid damage from the sun and also to appear naturally tan. The light to medium shade is for light to medium skin, so choose appropriately.
- Watch Those Whites. A good sunless tanner will not rub off, but because most of them contain tints, treat it as you would while wearing makeup. The bronzer is a coating on your skin, so it will eventually rub off. The best way to avoid this is to apply the sunless tanner at night and then shower in the morning. This allows the tan to fully develop and then you can wash the excess bronzer off. No one wants to be caught wearing a white shirt with sunless tanner streaks on it.
- Toning Mistakes. Until you get used to the process, you will make mistakes and you will have streaks. Soap and water will not remove the sunless tanner, but any toner will. Just apply the toner to a cotton ball and go over the streaks or blotches. You will instantly see a difference and ensure a mistake-free sunless tan.
With skin cancer on the rise and the hole in the ozone layer increasing, the only way to safely be tan is to use sunless tanner. The process may take a while and it won’t last as long as a natural tan, but it will prevent wrinkles and skin cancer.