Most of us don’t have the spare cash to jet off and lay on a Caribbean beach for two weeks, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want that enviable tan! If you’re counting the dollars and realising they don’t add up to Jamaican vacation standards, how can you cheat on the tanning? Fake it, of course!
Fake tan is a great way to look like you’ve been somewhere exotic, when you’ve really been chilling at home in your sweats. There are some golden rules to follow however, to avoid falling foul of those streaky legs and tell-tale patches.
Let’s explore.
Get Your Waxing/Shaving Right
If you miss a bit, it’s going to show and affect your tanning. Put some serious effort into making sure that you remove all hair properly, wherever you regularly remove it from, and not to wax or shave at the last minute. Basically, for waxing, leave it 48 hours until you tan, and for shaving, leave it 24 hours. This will avoid you taking the top layer of your skin off and basically leaving yourself open to patches.
Exfoliation is Key
If you don’t exfoliate before you tan, it’s not going to look professional. It’s a good idea to exfoliate the night before you’re going to tan, or before you go to the salon for your tanning appointment. It’s a great idea to incorporate mitts and using an exfoliating scrub which has moisturising agents within it (oil free however). This will give your skin a real treat and leave an even and smooth canvas to work with.
Remove Any Product
Right before you do your tanning, have a quick shower and wash away any remnants of product from your skin. Odd bits of left over deodorant or body cream can really affect how good a tan looks, so wash it all away for the best results, and to help the whole thing last much longer too.
Be Clothing Savvy
If you’re going to a salon for a tan, you need to be careful what you wear on the way home. Avoid anything too tight, so your work out clothes are a no no. Anything baggy works well, so a maxi dress, or baggy pants and loose top would do the job, just until you get home. Anything too tight will rub it all off before it even has time to develop, leaving behind patches and streaks.
Think about shoes too, and avoid flip flops or sandals with straps. Trainers with socks are a good go-to.
Brush Your Teeth
Yes, really! It’s a good idea to brush your teeth before you have a tan, because if you do it after, there is a chance that toothpaste will cling to areas you don’t want it to, and cause the tan to develop in an odd way. On your face is not where you want odd lines!
These tips will help you grab the best tan possible, faking it all the way to the Caribbean! By doing it right from the start, your tan will last much longer, and reduce the chances of a sub-standard result.
