Basically, this is a lotion that tans the skins and gives it the look of the natural tanning. All you have to do here is to buy a bottle of it and follow the instruction. Remember, it is very important that you know the right technique to apply the tan. Otherwise, the result will be a disaster.
Actually, the process of tanning starts before applying the lotion on your skin. So, it is important here that you prepare your body beforehand. One of the preparations that you can take is to wax and shave your body at least 24 hours before the tanning. If you wax after the tanning, the tan will be stripped off.
Exfoliating the body is another very important step if you are trying to make the most of the fake tanning. You should exfoliate the entire body with a good scrub. However, you should give special attention to the knees, ankles, elbows, hands etc. If you have dry skin in some other areas, attention should be given there as well.
After that, it is time to apply some moisturizer. Remember, the dry skin is one of the greatest enemies of the successful tanning. So, make sure that you dont have any of them. Otherwise, the tanning will create dark patches there. Most of the times, you will get moisturizers with the tanning lotion that will correspond to each other.
Thus, if you are using the fake bake lotion, you will get the moisturizer appropriate for it. In fact, the moisturizer will help keep your tan intact. So, it will be a good idea to keep on moisturizing your skin even after the tanning is over.
While applying the tanning lotion, you should always use the mat and gloves meant for tanning. After all, you dont want the tan getting under the fingernails or on the palms.
Naturally, the tanning should be done before going to the bed. This will allow the lotion enough time to dry out and you can have the best of effort. Well, if you are thinking about the marks on the bed sheet, dont worry; these marks can be washed easily. Also, you can put on some older sheets for that night. However, you should give the tan some time to dry out and then go to the bed.
One great thing with the tanning lotions is that they can be applied again, if you want a darker tan. So, you can try that out if you want. It is better to start the process from the legs and end it at the face and neck. If you are having difficulties with your back, you can take the help of the friend or partner as well. It is best not to wear any cloth after the tanning. However, if you must, you should avoid bra, socks and knickers as they can leave marks.
10 steps to the perfect tan
Here they are, our absolutely top 10 tips to ensure your tan is perfectly gorgeous for as long as possible....
1. If you’re a tanning junkie, make sure you exfoliate regularly to avoid build up as several layers of tan can result in an uneven result.
2. If you’re waxing or shaving before tanning, make sure you do so more than 24 hours before your tan.
3.When you’re tanning give yourself a good all-over polish and apply plenty of moisturizer the night before to get your skin as silky as possible. The most common cause of a patchy tan is dry skin, so it’s crucial to moisturise problem areas (wrists and hands, elbows, knees, ankles and feet) immediately prior to self tan application.
4. Keep palms tan-free – try using latex gloves or our applicator mitt when applying, then simply sweep the backs of the hands with self tan diluted with moisturizer. Our Tan Remover– which you can use for up to four hours after tanning – removes any unwanted tan.
5. When you’re applying your tan, make sure you’re covered all over. Don’t worry if you go over the same area twice – the tan will only be patchy if you miss a bit, not if you double up.
6. Make sure you don’t rub in your gradual or self tan. Gentle smoothing is all you need, then you can let the product do its work. Rubbing may make the finish uneven.
7. Try to avoid washing your hands for as long as possible in the development time – a minimum of 2 hours. Try a hand sanitizer or wipes instead.
8.. Your tan won’t get deeper the longer you leave it – once it’s been on for the required amount of time (check the pack) it will have given you the natural-looking golden color you’re after. For a deeper tan you should re-apply on successive days – 2 – 3 days in a row will give you a really deep, rich bronze tan.
9. When you’ve applied your tan wear loose, dark clothing and avoid tight-fitting underwear. Anything that’s pressing on the skin may make the results a bit patchy.
10. The hands and face will fade quicker than the rest of the body so apply Rapide Face to the face and the backs of the hands to keep your tan looking fresher for longer. For a color boost for the rest of the body, try using St Tropez Self Tan Intensifier every 2-3 days - but don’t forget to polish and moisturize, too, or your color won’t fade evenly.
Problem areas
There are two types of problem area when it comes to tanning. Bits that can stain and give away your self-tan and dry/rough bits that can make it look uneven.
Hairline & eyebrows
If you have fair hair, smooth a bit of St. Tropez Body Moisturizer over eyebrows and the hairline to stop the hair from staining.
Hands
Palms and the spaces between your fingers simply wouldn’t tan naturally which is why tanned palms are a total giveaway that your tan’s out of a bottle. There are several ways to keep them natural looking – try applying your self tan with St. Tropez Latex Gloves then remove them and apply self tan to the backs of your hands when you’ve finished the rest of your body. Our applicator mitt helps St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse glide over the body and also means palms don’t get stained. Occasionally nails can stain too, so try painting yours with clear polish before you get started or simply remove excess self tan with a wipe. If that sounds like hard work, then simply try our handy Tan Remover to remove any palm stains before it starts to develop (to be used within 4 hours of application).
Other problem areas
Wrists and hands, elbows, knees, ankles and feet are often prone to dryness and roughness. Make sure you polish and moisturize them well to ensure a sleeker, more even tan.