You may be a regular at your local tanning salon but now is the time to master the art of DIY tanning at home.
Applying your own tan at-home isn’t a bad idea, it gives you a bit more control on the outcome. Whether you’re a year-round user of fake tan, only need a top up in the Winter or avoid the stuff completely, it’s easy to master the perfect tan at home to give you a healthy-looking glow by following our few tips…
Exfoliate first – Always, always, always exfoliate your entire body before applying your fake tan to ensure you don’t end up with any colour build up in rough or dry areas. Also, exfoliate the day before you tan to avoid the colour sitting in abrasions.
Moisturise after you exfoliate – You’ll want to have completely clean skin to apply your fake tan so be sure to moisturise the day before application, just after you exfoliate. When you apply your tan your skin should be completely clean of everything including moisturiser and deodorant.
Go easy on elbows, ankles and knees – It’s better to have too little than too much tan in these delicate areas. They’re prone to discolouration so once you’ve finished applying tan to the rest of your body, gently swipe over the areas using whatever residue is on your mitt. Moisturiser acts as a block to the tan so it can be a good idea to put some moisturiser on the palms of your hands before application just in case.
Apply your tan in layers – The best way to control your colour is to use light layers, oh and always use a tanning mitt to avoid ending up with orange hands. You can apply a second coat the following day if you want a deeper colour result.
As a regular self-tanner, I love nothing more than discovering a product that promises an easily achieved, golden and streak-free tan from the comfort of my bathroom, and that actually lives up to that promise.
Well, these are those products!
St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel
I’ve never tried a tanning product like this St Tropez gel before and don’t know how I ever lived without it. The clear and scent-free gel turns to water as you apply it to your skin. It leaves behind a glossy look, not a dark trace pigment like other products, so you can walk out the door straight after applying it. In just three hours it works to give you a glowing bronze look and after eight it fully develops into a natural looking tan. The best part is, you don’t have to wash it off and it doesn’t transfer to or stain your clothes. It’s perfect for last-minute tanning sessions or touch-ups between sprays.
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops
Gone are the days when your face colour is mismatched to the rest of your body. Regular self-tanners can look unnatural when applied to your face so these drops by Isle of Paradise are a game-changer. Available in three shades, light, medium and dark, you can easily mix a few drops into your regular moisturiser to add a touch of tan to your face, or even your body. You can control the colour pay-off by adjusting the number of drops you use and they’re hypoallergenic so won’t cause harm to sensitive skin.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Gradual Glow
A product that combines powerful anti-aging ingredients with a natural gradual tan? Sign us up! These easy to use wipes from Dr. Dennis Gross are a girl on the go’s best friend. They’re great for topping up your tan when you’re travelling or in a rush to get out the door because all you have to do is swipe it over your body and it gets to work in 3-4 hours. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid, glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids so it’s exfoliating and hydrating your skin while it gives you a subtle glow.
Here’s a little video with a few DIY tanning tips from Bonnie x
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Featured Image
Photo: Bonnie C
Hair and Make-up : Bonnie G Oz Beauty Expert
Model: Victoria Germyn
ozbeautyexpert.com 
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