Please help with fake tan!

[ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets]

I've got a few do's coming up that I'm wearing dresses to, and my legs are so white they're verging on blue!

I've various tans that develop over a few hours but they all go into the follicles and I end up with polka dot legs

If I talk you through my process can you tell me where I'm going wrong?

Or tell me what yours in? Please!

So:

Shave legs using shave foam, hot water, sharp razor.

Moisturise with Soap & Glory Body Butter

Leave for 15 mins (ish!)

Apply Tan with mitt.

Leave to dry

Apply another layer.

Wander round house in pants for a few hours!

I shave in the morning and apply tan than night, it gives the follicles a chance to close up a bit, apply again the next night if needed. I have never double applied. I use at tropez, the green tones suits skin. Then shave again before do if needed.

So if you wanted tan for Saturday, would you shave Thursday morning and tan Thursday night?

Does shaving again Saturday night not remove the tan?

Honestly, for all that faff, if it's for a do, save yourself the hassle and fork out for a spray tan. Much more even, I can never get my legs the colour I want.

I've had sprays before too, it does the same thing. It's fine everywhere except my legs!

And if I can get it right it gives me more options for work clothes in the summer.

You don't need to leave it that long. If you want your tan for Saturday evening, I would shave Friday morning, then do the tan Friday before bed.

You should exfoliate after you shave too, to get rid of any rough skin (especially round the knees), and if you get an ice cube & rub it over your legs, the pores will close up, so you won't get the little black dots.

Don't apply your moisturiser right before either, the night before is fine. But pop some moisturiser onto your knees, to stop build up.

OP, I have used every tan on the market, and had spray tan-looked like Donatella Versace!
I now use a tinted moisturise, and have no problems with spotty marks, rash, streaks, looking dirty or anything else.
I use Garnier Summer Body, available in supermarkets. I use it fir the two days before an event-no marks on the bed sheets either-and it gives a lovely glow.

Go for a spray tan, it's really the only way to get it looking flawless ime

Oops sorry x post. Have you tried fake bake spray tan at a salon though? That is really good, far superior to the zen tan or whatever it is that most salons use.

Not sure why you moisturise before applying the tan? Surely that would make it streaky/uneven?

I just put a little body lotion on my knees, elbows, ankles and feet, where the colour tends to 'take' more, as a barrier. Then after applying the tan I wipe over those areas with a damp tissue.

Agree that you should leave the shaving to the next day. It doesn't cause the tan to fall off. Some fake tans seem to develop over a couple of days, e.g. St Moriz.

I don't often use it, but the other night I used this method with St Moritz mousse:
*depilatory cream the day before, saves having the rough edges from shaving.
*Exfoliate with either a mitt of some sort or a lotion,
*then body lotion, heavily over ankles and knees,
*leave to soak in
*apply tan with hand, trying to skim over ankles and knees
*scrub hand frantically and remind myself I need to buy a mitt

Couple of days later I've still got evenly tanned legs apart from one thigh when I forgot and ended up leaving a streak before it'd dried properly.

To be honest I think you get a much better result if you use a wash off tan.

Shave the morning after you've tanned. Shaving any time within 24 hours before applying the tan is what's creating the polka dots.

Another vote for Garnier summer body.
It is a moisturiser so don't do any extra.
Apply with your hands so you can feel exactly how it's going on and how even it is.
Apply just like you would a moisturiser.
If you have a do on a Saturday, I would do this on Tuesday and Friday before.
It's great to get a base tan for holidays as well.

And don't re-apply. Just one time is enough to start the build.

I shave before fake tanning (because I'm nuts and can't go a day without shaving) and I don't get the spotty effect. I think it's because the body butter is creating a barrier and preventing the tan from working everywhere except in your pores, where the butter will be absorbed more quickly. Try skipping the butter, or using this-

www.clarins.co.uk/radiance-plus-body-golden-glow-booster/C040102002.html?start=2

which you mix in with your existing butter/lotion/whatever. I'm finding it really good- very subtle and natural colour, and it's good to still be able to use your normal products. Especially if you have dry skin from shaving every day.

www.clarins.co.uk/radiance-plus-body-golden-glow-booster/C040102002.html?start=2

It's so great it gets two links. I'll go and collect my commission now.