Tips For Your Best Tan + My Favorite Face & Body Products to Tan at Home
I would argue that one of the best inventions of our generation is the sunless tanner! Ok, maybe a little dramatic, but definitely one of the coolest, healthier inventions - because healthy, tan, glowing skin with no sun-damage is so beautiful! I have turned all of my friends on to the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse! It is seriously my Holy-Grail beauty product that I use year-round when I want a full body tan!
There are a few simple tips that I swear by help you take your self tanning from looking good to looking great! I actually have only gotten one spray tan because with these tips and products you can get an amazing tan in less time and with less money than a spray tan! BUT! If you’re a spray tan gal, these tips will help prep your skin correctly for that too! My Chicago rec for a spray tan is Go-Glow!
NOW! Here are the steps to take to get your skin ready for the perfect glowing tan! To get your body ready for application, exfoliate and shave the night before tanning or at least 4+ hours before. If you tan too soon after shaving, your pores are still open and that’s when you’ll have those little black dots. No thank you!
I like to use a dry/wet brush in the shower for a serious exfoliation and silky smooth skin. THIS is the one I use. Dry brushing also helps with lymphatic drainage and cellulite treatment. After exfoliation is when I shave to get the smoothest skin possible. I use the Billie razor which totally lives up to the hype in my opinion. Moisturize after your exfoliation and shaving shower and then again about 20 minutes before applying the self tanner. Focus on areas that get dry like elbows and knees! And don’t forget to take off all jewelry so it doesn’t discolor the area where it’s laying on your skin!
To apply the tanner, I use the St. Tropez applicator mitt! Trust me, you want this to avoid seriously crazy looking hands after application! Make sure to cover every inch of your skin to avoid spottiness! It’s ok if some places have more tanner than others, as long as all skin is covered, you’re good to go! Pro tip: if you have someone who can get your back, it’s much easier that way! I can reach my own back but it definitely takes longer and more work doing it alone than having a friend of significant other do it for you! Pro tip 2: If you’re on your own, insert your hairbrush into the mitt to more easily reach all areas of your back! The handle of the brush will give your arm an extra couple inches!
As you let the tanner work its magic, wear dark, baggy clothes while it sits before washing it off! Warning, you will smell a bit like tanner during this time and still a little after shower 1. I recommend leaving on the tanner for 1-2 or so hours your first time trying it. Everyone is different so test it out to see what works for you! Personally, I leave the tanner on for 3-5 hours 2 days before my event. I usually think I’m a tad darker than I would like after my first shower, but after shower two I feel my tan is PERFECT for my event or trip.
You can go about your day as normal when the tanner is on, you’ll just look a little “dirty” as I describe it! HA! Generally, I try to put it on when I’ll be home for those couple of hours. After work or on a weekend (or if you work from home)! I’m fine with a trip to the grocery store but I don’t think I’d go to dinner with the tanner on. Personally, I just feel like I look and smell a little funky before that first shower! HAHA! If it gets on your clothes, no worries, it’ll come right off in the wash! Shower away, and TA-DA! you look like you just got back from a beach vacation in St. Bart’s (or somewhere boujee like that)!
Another must-have product of mine when I just want my face to look naturally bronzed is the Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops! I use this much more regularly than the full body tan. It’s the perfect daily glow for your face, neck and chest. Especially during the Winter when all of your skin is covered anyways. This stuff is PERFECTION for allowing us Midwesterners to not look like ghosts from October-April. LOL!
I add 3 drops to my moisturizer, mix it together, and then apply all over my face & neck (& chest if I’ll be wearing something other than a turtleneck the next day)! You can do as many drops as you want, the more drops, the deeper the tan (there’s also a light, medium and dark formula) I use the light and 3 drops is as dark as I would go! Again, test this out your first time using it! Maybe start with 1 or 2 drops to see how it settles into your specific skin! THIS is my holy grail of day-to-night moisturizer! You can use code ALI15 for 15% off all TULA products as well!
When applying, make sure to cover your full face and neck and get a tiny bit into your hairline as well. I even apply over my eyelids. Just don’t forget to wash your hands after application (you’ll thank me for reminding you of this step!) I also love this product because it’s clean, with organic tanning actives and avocado, chia seed, and coconut oils! So it’s also really good and nourishing for your skin - love when there’s a bonus!
I can’t stress enough the importance of a faux glow! Of course for the health benefits - lowering your risk of skin cancer - but also the vanity benefits (hello reduced wrinkles!) Do you have any other tanning hacks?!
xx (a sun-kissed) Ali
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