It’s hard to believe that summer is almost here…especially with all the rain we are getting in Los Angeles right now, but trust me, beach days are just around the corner and it’s time that we once again visit our love hate relationship with the sun.
The sun is BAD. I know. I hate saying it, but it just is…well I guess the sun isn’t bad, it’s the UV rays that the sun puts out that are bad. We all know this. And yet we love to be tan. We love to bake. We love the heat and rays…even if those rays make us old, ugly, and wrinkled later in life. There is NO safe tan. None. Nada. Zip. The only safe thing out there is a fake tan, so let’s talk about how to get a good one.
All fake tans are made from the same FDA approved chemical DHA. It’s the delivery system of that chemical and application that separates a good looking tan from an obvious fake tan. Luckily fake tan technology has come a long way from those original orange streaking days.
Scrub
Because you are trying to get the chemical evenly into the skin and make this tan last as long as possible exfoliating the dead skin off is the first step to a good fake tan. Depending on the tanning product (read the packaging) you should exfoliate the skin, up to 24 hours before. I think the Cactus Cloth by Bioelements is the best with a shower gel. Stay away from a soap since this can leave a residue on the skin and impedes the color from even distribution.
Moisturize
Now that you’ve scrubbed all that dead skin away be sure to hydrate it. A streaky fake tan often comes from the chemical being sucked up more in some places than other. So slather on the moisturizer and be sure you have extra on the knees, elbows, and ankles! Be generous and let it soak in completely before moving on to the next stage.
Naked in a Safe Place
Fake tans stain before they dry, so if you’re alone and can do it naked you’ll get the best tan. Otherwise, wear old panties you don’t mind streaking with tan, or an old bikini. Stand somewhere where you won’t be leaning on fabrics (so not your bedroom!) and give yourself time to dry off before you put on clothes. Different tanners take different amounts of time to soak in, but for most, allow 5 – 10 minutes at least. I always leave about 30 minutes to be on the safe side.
Tools
Self tanning mitts exist to help people get nice fake tans. They are a spongy mitt that soaks up the tanning cream and smooths it onto the skin evenly. People love them and swear that it really makes a difference to the finished result. But if that seems a little to high tech for you, be sure to at least wear latex or vinyl gloves so you don’t get the self tanner all over your hands and nails.
Time is of the Essence
Now it’s time to actually apply the stuff and once you start applying you need to do it fast. Rub it into small portions of your skin at a time and be sure it’s really rubbed in before moving to the next spot. For an easy application the best formulas are either an expensive cream with an anti-streak ingredient and tint so you can see it going on like Fake Bake or Guinot (my all time favorite), or a light formula like a mousse which spreads easily. Spray-on products tend to be the worst for streaking so I don’t recommend them. Work sparingly with the product. Expect to build the tan. A dark tan all at once has more chance to give you a nasty fake tan. But if you apply one layer and then another and then another you will have a wonderful even tan.
Avoid putting tan directly onto dry places like elbows, ankles, and knees. I like to mix the tanner with equal parts of a light moisturizer. This way that area is lighter in color. A good fake tan looks like a real one! Elbows and knees tend to take in the color deeply so if you make the color a little lighter it will look more even. Be sure to feather (apply less and make it thinner) the color under the arms, armpits, and down the hands, fingers, and toes. Keep the tan off the palms of your hand and don’t let it gather between the fingers.
Fixes
If you do find you have a streak or a patch that’s too dark, there are a number of things you can do. If it won’t budge try using an oil-based cleanser or a fake tan remover. If you’re really having trouble, try nail polish remover or go get that area waxed.
Keeping It
A fake tan stays only as long as the dyed skin so don’t exfoliate heavily, over wash, or wax a newly tanned area. Keep it well hydrated, and be sure to use an SPF! Fake tan doesn’t stop sun damage!
New Lotions
There are a lot of new tanning lotions on the market. Jergens is my favorite so far. You want to treat these lotions just like a fake tanner! They are more hydrating and build a very nice gradual tan, but they can still streak and leave dark patches. I like them a lot though!