How To Fake Tan Tips and Tricks. My Journey From Fake Tan Disasters to Fake Tan Perfection.

Early Days and Fake Tan:

Before getting to how to achieve the best fake tan imaginable, let me tell you why I am qualified to give this advice.

I started fake tanning as a teenager in the 90s. The products had no indicator colour so you could not see where you had and had not applied the tan, there were no tanning gloves which resulted in orange palms, it smelled so bad that you could clear a room of offended cattle and it was also taboo!! No one admitted to or talked about fake tanning!

It is funny to me these days that young women are so open about fake tan, before a night out friends have advised me that they are putting their fake tan on. It was never like that. In the 90s and early 2000s those of us who used fake tan tried to pass it off as a real tan!

Fake Tanning Disasters:

A few incidents come to mind…. I could not work out how to fake tan my hands without them turning a deep shade of orange. So I only tanned up to my wrists. I was on a date one night and was asked why my hands were so white to which I replied that I had a skin disorder that caused my hands not to tan. HAHA! I actually thought that was less embarrassing than admitting to using fake tan.

On another occasion, I decided to use an automated spray tan booth. I stepped in, applied a barrier cream to my palms and stepped on sticky feet and the machine sprayed me with tan. I was going to the Melbourne Cup and decided it would be a good idea to get a “professional tan”.

When I showered the following day, to my dismay my hands and feet were at least 10 shades darker than the rest of me. I looked an absolute sight and tried to scrub the tan off but of course I had exfoliated before tanning so there was no chance of removing that colour.

So I survived these early days of tanning, persisted with it because I still found poorly applied, uneven, stinky tan preferable to my pale skin.

Luckily now formulas have improved and there is a huge industry dedicated to fake tanning. It is really easy to achieve a natural looking tan.

How To Achieve A Flawless Fake Tan:

1. Exfoliate using a shower gel or oil and a face cloth. I do not like exfoliating mitts they are too rough and can leave little scratches on the skin that the fake tan will sink into.
2. There are fake tan removal products to get rid of your old fake tan now. A lot of them seem to dry the skin out so I avoid those if I can. If you need to get rid of a stubborn tan that is not yet ready to come off they are useful.
3. Use a tanning glove, preferably one with a thumb part as they are much easier to use.
4. I always start with my arms, using sweeping motions down to my wrists. Then turn your arm over and do the backs, avoiding depositing too much product on the elbows.
5. Next is the chest and shoulders. Avoid rubbing or going over the same spot. The indicator colour will show you where you have already gone. It does not need to be rubbed in perfectly, it is just indicator colour and will rinse off and reveal an even tan.
6. Next is tummy, make sure you get right under your breasts and do not hunch over during the drying process or you will sweat or crease there. I do my lower back and sides at the same time as my tummy. As for the upper back, I can reach my own back I am really flexible but the result is always better if someone else applies it. Get your boyfriend or good friend to help and assume the position!
7. Standing up straight I elevate my leg on something and start with the upper thigh, inner thigh, back of the thighs and bum. Then I smooth the glove down to the lower leg as there is usually enough product left on the glove and if not you can apply more.
8. Feet and hands. Here we go! Whatever is left on the glove should be used to apply to the feet and hands. Anything more will result in the tan taking too much and you will end up with a potential fake tan disaster.
9. I do not often tan my face or because it tends to break me out especially with blackheads. I would only ever use a product designed for the face such as a mist not a cream to avoid breakouts. I also use a mist on my neck.
10. Inspect your work and if your knees, ankles, feet, hands or elbows look like they have too much colour on them dab it off with a face cloth.
11. If using a 2 hour tan, rinse off the indicator colour after 2 hours or so. I usually leave these on for a bit longer, 4 hours generally to make sure that the colour has developed dark enough.
12. If it is an overnight tan, rinse off the indicator colour in the morning. Apply a body moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated and the tan looking good for as long as possible.

My Favourite Tanning Products:

Elle Effect The Wash 

A gentle fake tan removing oil that leaves the skin hydrated.

Spray Aus Tan Reverser

For emergencies. I do find all tan removers a bit drying or irritating. But sometimes they are necessary.

Spray Aus Application Glove

Great quality and it has a thumb part.

Isle Of Paradise Ultra Dark Tanning Mousse

I love this brand the colour is so convincing and it does not dry out my skin or make it itch. I like to achieve my tan in one go rather than multiple applications so I go for the ultra dark. I also think a mousse always gives the most flawless result.

Isle of Paradise also have tans with no indicator colour that are safe to wear to bed without staining your sheets. I use the dark one in that range.

Isle Of Paradise Self Tanning Water

I love this! I mist about 10 sprays to cover my face and neck before bed and wake up with an even glow. No need to rub it in.

JJ xx