The fake tan has come a long way baby.
Forget everything you know about fake tan and its associated potential pitfalls and inconveniences. Thanks to a bunch of brilliant new products, tools and some genius tanning hacks it’s easier than ever to get a gorgeous, golden sun-kissed faux glow that looks real.
Get Ready To Glow!
hack #1 Always exfoliate first, even if you don’t currently have a fake tan on. It will help remove the build up of dead cells and ensure your skin is fresh and silky smooth.
hack #2 Invest in a good quality tanning mitt to make application a breeze and keep your hands tan-free. A special back applicator is also a savvy purchase. Allowing you to apply tan to your entire body without the assistance of your partner/BFF/non-judgemental housemate.
hack #3 After showering wait at least half an hour before you apply your fake tan, to ensure your skin is properly dry.
hack #4 Never apply any other product prior to tanning as they can interact with the ingredients in your fake bake. The only exception is to apply an oil-free moisturiser to any rough or dry areas like hands, ankles, feet, elbows and knees. This is to ensure they don’t absorb too much colour.
hack #5 Choose a shade that’s appropriate for your skin tone. Fair skinned maidens should look for light to medium shades with green undertones to minimise brassiness. Deeper toned damsels can rock darker bronze tones with a purple base for added oomph.
But Wait There’s More Hot Tips!
hack #6 Apply using a smooth, circular motion for lotions, and long, fluid motions for mousses. Start with one thin layer. You can always add more later.
hack #7 Before applying any tanning product to your face, run an ice cube over your nose, chin, forehead and surrounding areas. This will reduce the size of your pores and ensure the product doesn’t get caught or cause black spots.
hack #8 Apply a small amount of moisturiser to your brows and hairline prior to applying tan to your face to ensure your tan doesn’t migrate into these areas.
hack #9 Naturally sun tanned hands don’t have colour between the fingers or on the palms, so make sure you wipe over these areas with a baby wipe or tan remover on a cotton pad immediately after application to ensure the finished product looks realistic.
hack #10 The best way to maintain your tan is with an oil-free moisturiser applied twice daily. Oil will degrade the ingredients in your tan, meaning it will become blotchy and fade faster. Natural aloe vera is the best tan maintenance tool around. A water-based gel formula will also work in a pinch.
Image One: Hair Rhiane Schroder / Makeup Makeup by Megan using Becca Australia and Makeup Forever / Photography Emily Abay / Stylists Kimberlee Kessler & Rosemary Slade / Wardrobe White Runway
Image Two: Hair Ellie Martins, Wild Life Hair using GHD, Goldwell and Davines / Makeup Veronika Moreira using M.A.C / Photography Lara Milenko / Stylists Kimberlee Kessler & Rosemary Slade / Wardrobe Goddess by Nature