Self Sunless Tanning 101

I assume I wasn’t the only teenager who thought tanning/fake-baking was the beeees knees? I never did get into the sticker on my stomach, but I did put the tanning cream on my faaace each time. The thought now is nails on the chalk board.  I gueess you could say I’ve come to my senses since my cheerleading days.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve also turned into a bit of a sunscreen freaaaak. I feel like I wear a whole lot less make up when I have a bit of a tan, anyone else? I’ve fine tuned my at home tanning process + am happy to share what I know.

 

First off, don’t kid yourself. Self-tanning is a lifestyle, a commitment, like jumping headlong into a relationship after the first date. Feels big at first, but once you figure out what works for you it’s not a big deal. DHA, the chemical that gives you the color, likes to stick around + is notoriously hard to coax into looking normal.

I don’t say this to get you to lay off the stuff. Quite the opposite. I’m here to help you faux glow fake it until the sun makes it. It’s hard work. It’s a process. But you want to be tan, right?

If it’s a yes, start here:

Pre-gaming: Time To Shed Some Skin

If you’re going for anything other than “patchy tint that looks fine in low light + streaky McStreakerson in full sun” you’ve got to get rid of your dead skin. All of it (or as close to as much of it humanly possible.)

For me, I swear by dr. brandts microdermabrasion for my face + a good chemical-free scrub for my body:ouai + herbivore are my favorites.For the most part, I always apply self tanner at night. I found that it has time to set in + then I can shower in the morning + let it sit long enough before I put on my make up.
STEP 1. CLEAN FACE + EXFOLIATE
2. HAIR OUT OF FACE + colored. For a minute there my hair started to pull super bronzey + my hair dresser told me it was from tanning. WHOOPS. I use this shower cap. 
3. TONE SKIN
4. SPRAY FACE with this self-tanner
5. Go to bed.

In the winter that’s all I really do – – – unless I’m going somewhere in more than sweats. The longer you leave it, the darker it gets. It transfers onto your pillow case, but also comes out easily FYI. There are a ton of options for face, this is just what I’ve been using! Spray seems to be easiest for me. I stand in the shower + try not to think too hard about it.

face tanning top picks

 

But chances are if you’re here, you’re looking for more of a F U L L B O D Y  solution. If you’re doing full body, strip down, apply your exfoliant + wait a good 5 minutes – let it soak in. Make sure if you’re using something with sugar or salt granules that you allow them to dissolve fully. Then get to scrubbbbbin.

Three ways you can get the ultimate baby-smooth skin: shave, rinse + scrub your body with this hand mitt (you’ll use this a lot, I promise) or rinse, towel dry + give your entire body a good, firm rub-down with a rough towel.

It’s easily the grossest + most gratifying thing you’ll experience.

Next Steps: Going Steady

I swear by  St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mouss + have heard good things about the Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops. Honestly, there are sooo many options. Just pick your poison + tint level + dive in. Everyones skin takes differently, obviously. I  picked every brain on the internet who would tell me their tips + still took 3 months before I was brave enough to give any of it a try. I realize now how silly I was being, but still! Take my word for it though because any of these things scrub off in a weeks time. You got this!

Word to the wise: I suggest picking a gradual-build formula. Even with a spray tan machine, you can build your tan gradually or go balls to the wall + commit. But if you’re a newbie + still want that effect, I suggest hiring a professional, getting a spray tan + calling it a day.

Until you can wield a machine like the pros (or at least passable enough to avoid looking like you tried to get a tan through prison bars) gradual is the way to go.

hat | shirt | sandals

Avoid the moisturizer after your shower + do not put on deodorant before!! Get to this next step within a few hours of exfoliating. Prime all of the bits that resemble over-ripe avocado skin (knees, ankles, elbows) with a little bit of light moisturizer so the DHC doesn’t collect there + give the illusion that you like to play in the mud.

The St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse is like paint by numbers for tanning-newbies. Want it only kinda-tan? Shower after an hour.

Need a deeper glow? Shower after 2.

Want to look like you’ve spent time in a tropical local? You get the drift.

Then…go for it! Use whatever method your chosen formula dictates. Some sort of mitt is non-negotiable. Trust me!! It allows you to get the weird angles + save you from looking like you drowned in a bag of cheetos.

Gun Safety

If using a spray machine, get the Pro Light Tanning Gun from St. Tropez. It’s up to 20% off right now (thank you Sephora Beauty Insider Membership) and can be accessed by Rouge + VIB members by using the code ‘ENJOY’ at checkout or 15% Off by Insiders (it’s FREE to join) by using code ‘BIBONUS’. (click HERE to join)

This machine makes tanning a D R E A M.

There is no overspray from this gun. The mist is so fine + direct + only goes where you point it. It is absolutely foolproof: two coats on your body, one on hands, feet + face. Then a blast with the heat part of the gun to seal + you are dry. Wash off in 4-8 hours.

One refill bottle does 6-8 tans. Based on what I’ve spent in a summer on tanning products to keep up a fake tan or tanning bed packages, this is a money-saver.

When you’re done, stand naked for longer than you think is necessary. The dry-down is the easiest to screw up so DON’T. TOUCH. ANYTHING.

Turn on a show. Floss (dance or dental hygiene). + wait. You’ll thank me.

Keeping Up Appearances

Rinse + repeat! Rinse in the morning + repeat in the evening. Optimal color should take around three days. You’ll be able to customize where you need more tan + hopefully be able to buff away any mistakes.

+ if tanning-domination isn’t your goal, just go with the flow + live your life. Worse things have happened than a fading tan. + if you’ve done it right, you won’t have to worry about patchy fading.

But if stretching out that glow is your plan, you might want to invest in some dry shampoo.

Not Showering…

…will dictate how long your tan lasts. Wash the double P’s (pits + privates) often + leave everything else untouched for as long as possible.

And When You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling

You begin again. Break up with your old tan + jump right back into your pre-game routine.

shop all my swimsuits

 

all the tanning essentials you’ll need

 

 

So here’s how you can get your glow on for a W H O L E • L O T • L E S S:

VIB + ROUGE MEMBERS get 20% off with code ‘ENJOY’ + ALL BEAUTY INSIDERS get 15% off with code ‘BIBONUS’ until the event ends on the 19th.

grab all of these plus any of my glow

 

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