How to Achieve the Perfect Self-Tan

Alright, I can't be the only one who hates not being tanned. I can't afford to go on vacations every 3 months to keep up a nice glow. So, I made it my mission to find the perfect self-tanner so that I can be tanned all year round. Hear me out, it's not that I don't enjoy the snow or the cold. There's just something about having a tan that makes me so much happier - don't you agree? So, without further ado, here are my tips and tricks to achieving the perfect self-tan. 

STEP 0: THE STAR OF THE SHOW

I personally like to use the Jergens Instant-Sun Deep Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse because it doesn't make me orange and is $10. They have a Light Bronze option if you are more fair as well as Ultra Deep Bronze if you have a naturally darker skin tone. 

STEP 1: PREP, PREP AND PREP SOME MORE

I can't stress this step enough. When trying to achieve the perfect self-tan, you have to make sure you're prepared. To prepare, the first thing you're going to want to do in this step is get in the shower. I'm not telling you to wash your hair or anything but - shave your entire body (or whatever you usually shave). The reason for this is because you want to give your pores a good 12-24 hours to close before you apply any self-tanner to your body. 

One optional step here, which I highly recommend (but will not completely ruin your tan if you don't do it), is  to exfoliate! You can either use a sugar scrub, a DIY scrub, or even use exfoliating gloves. The reason I recommend exfoliating is a) you're gonna feel so silky smooth after (and who doesn't like that?) and b) it'll ensure that all the dry patches and dead skin cells are removed before you apply anything. Like I said, not a mandatory step, but if you do it you'll thank me later. The only time I would classify this ass a "mandatory" step is if you already have self tanner on. You're going to want to exfoliate that off so that you're not adding layers and layers of tanner to your skin. 

When you get out of the shower, you're going to want to moisturize your entire body. Lather up a nice moisturizer and go to town sister. One way of ensuring your tan issn't splotchy is by making sure your skin doesn't have dry patches. Some of my favourite moisturizers would be any of the Bath & Body Works Ultra Shea Body Cream or Sol De Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. The Sol De Janeiro cream smells absolutely heavenly but it breaks the bank at  almost $60 a jar - no thank you! The Bath & Body Works body cream's are regularly $14.50 each but usually you can always get them on some sort of sale. 

STEP 2: THE TANNING PROCESS

Now, onto the actual tanning part. Make sure that you are completely dry. Do not apply any heavy moisturizer on your body before tanning. If you have dry knees and elbows (like me), feel free to add a small amount of non-oily cream to your knees  and elbows. This will ensure that when you apply the tanner on those areas that it will not adhere to the dry flaky patches of skin. When applying the tanner, you are going to want to use a tanning mitt. Not only does this help not make your hands orange, but it will also ensure the tan is evenly applied all over your body. 

I start by applying the self-tanner to my legs, then move my way up my body. You want to ensure that you are not rubbing in forwards and backwards motions. You're going to apply your tan in small, circular motions to ensure that it is evenly spread across your body. Usually the following amount of pumps is sufficient; 

• Legs (5 pumps each leg)  
• Arms (3 pumps between both arms)  
• Bum (1 pump for both cheeks)  
• Stomach and Chest (4 pumps)  
• Back (4 pumps)  
• Face (1/2 pump)

The reason I didn't put hands and feet in the list is because you're going to do those last. The reason being that you only want to use whatever is leftover on your tanning mitt to tan those areas. So your ankles/feet and hands won't be significantly darker than the rest of your body. 

If you're feeling frisky, you can apply your first layer all over your body (and let it dry) and then apply a second layer. Whatever you choose, you're going to want to wait at least 15 minutes for your tan to dry before moving on to the next step. Do not apply any moisturizers after you let your tan dry - trust me on this one. 

STEP 3: THE POST TAN FIT

Alright ladies, the post tan fit is another key to achieve a smooth, silky, non-streaky tan. You’re going to want to either dig out one of your old high school gym shirts or any top and bottom that are a) loose and b) dark in colour. You do not want tower white. The tan will lightly rub onto it and turn it orange on the inside. So please, choose a dark colour and safe yourself the trouble.  

STEP 4: THE AFTERMATH

Once you've let your tan develop, you're going to want to shower it off. This not only helps remove any excess tanner that wasn't absorbed, but it also helps remove the smell. One reason why I use Jergens is because I find that once I shower, the smell is gone. There is nothing worse than smelling like fake tan. We all know that smell - it isn't cute. What I mean by "shower" is only a body shower. All you want to do is get in there, lather yourself up with some body wash or a bar of soap (or both like me) and lightly just rub it all over. Once you do this, obviously you're going to wash it off and hop out.

What I mean by "shower" is only a body shower. All you want to do is get in there, lather yourself up with some body wash or a bar of soap (or both like me) and lightly just rub it all over. Once you do this, obviously you're going to wash it off and hop out. 

Now here comes another important part - do not rub yourself off with your towel. Instead, gently pat dry your entire body. This will make sure that you don't rub off your tan. Once you've done that, you're going to want to moisturize your entire body all over - again! This ensures that your tan will not crack and prolong the tan as well. This is super important, you should try and moisturize your body everyday (if you don't already). 

STEP 5: I MESSED UP, WHAT DO I DO?

It's ok - mistakes are bound to happen. If you have any weird patches on your body that are darker than the rest, use a baby wipe to remove the excess tan. If that doesn't work, using a rag and some lemon juice will do the trick for those spots as well. 

If you have lighter spots on your body, lightly take your tanning mitt and apply a pea size amount of tanner to it and apply that to the light area. You won't need to shower this off after - it's more of a touch-up step. 

Now ladies, if your hands are super orange - no need to worry. The tan on your hands (and face) fade a lot faster than the rest of your body because you're constantly washing them. My tip would be to try and use the tips above to fix them first, and then just let them fade naturally. Nobody is starring at your hands - unless you're a hand model. 

STEP 6: GET IF OFF OF ME!

Alright, if you want to take your tan off (wiping my tears away) here's how you do it. You're going to want to hop in the shower and use an exfoliator to take it off. If you just recently tanned (within 2-3 days) it will be difficult to take off so be patient. Once you've exfoliated your entire body and removed the tan, you're going to want to moisturize your skin when you get out. This is essential so that your skin doesn't dry up. 

And those are the steps to achieving your perfect tan! If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I would be more than happy to answer them. 

Love yourselves, 

xoxo