How do you fake tan?

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

I'm a complete novice! Can someone recommend one? I was thinking of doing just my legs and arms and back, does that sound normal?! When do I apply it? Have a christening on Saturday so want to be tanned in my dress! Can I shave my legs? Do I shave them before tanning? Can I still shave them after? Should I exfoliate?! Any other tips???? Someone please help me I don't know where to start!

PS I was thinking of getting a spray tan but am bf so don't want baby to be covered in fake tan! So probably best to avoid that and just do it myself?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I would recommend Garnier Summer body gradual tanning lotion in deep surmised. It's practically fool proof and you can do one application or repeat again if you want to go a bit darker. It's quite subtle.

Here's my beginner's guide..

Exfoliate first if you have dry skin with a body scrub in the bath. I shave my legs before exfoliating.
Apply tan lotion to dry skin
Use sparingly and rub in well to avoid streaks.
Be really careful not to get on your elbows and be careful with knees. I put some moisturiser on them first.
When you have hardly any left on your hands, rub lightly on feet and backs of hands.
Wash hands well after.
I usually do this in every other evening to build up a tan.

Hope that helps

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Sorry I meant deep sunkissed !

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

Ooh thank you!! I don't have much time, of I bought it tomorrow can I do it say on Thursday morning and Friday morning? Would that give me a nice tan? Easier for me to do in morning if I can get dressed straight away?

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

And should I exfoliate before every application?

And just a small amount on knees, ankles and elbows?

Thank you!

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Yes that should be ok. One application might be enough anyway. I don't exfoliate every time.

[MrsFionaCharming]

I exfoliate beforehand with a silky-mitt type sandpaper thing, on my elbows, knees and ankles. Use a tanning mitt to apply, stops finger marks, and prevents stained palms.
I find it's best to do the outside of knees/elbows first, as they need to be bent, then do the inside, and try to keep the joint straight until it dries.

I like the Saint Moritz gradual tan lotion, even just one application takes the edge of my blinding paleness.

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

Thank you!! Another question... Sorry I did say I'm a complete notice! Should I tan my arms / back too? My legs are super pale so not sure whether just to tan them so that they match my arms (not tanned really but not pale) or wjll that look strange?!

[Becca1818]

Try cocoa brown 1 hour tan

[Justyou]

St tropez express is fab, it's £30 ish a bottle though but that does me about 7/8 full body applications. you can wash off after 1-3 hours depending on colour you want so could just do 1 hour so no tanned baby

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

Great thank you!!! Express sounds good. Could I apply it Friday morning, wash off after an hour or so, then I'm done?? So just one house of avoiding my clothes / baby etc???

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

Or actually I could apply it Friday eve when dh has baby for a bit? Ready for Saturday? Does that sound about right?!

[Justyou]

Yep perfect, it's dark to apply so can see missed bits and will develop great when you wake on sat

[Justyou]

Put it on wait 10 mins then wear loose pjs shower off after hour or two then all done. Leaves skin so soft too !

[BirdyArms]

I like cocoa brown too. Definitely use a mitt.

If you haven't done it before I think you should play it safe and just do your legs. I normally just do mine so that they match the natural colour on my arms. If you end up with a dark orange elbow you will feel really self conscious but a mistake on your legs in less noticeable.