How to maintain fake tan whilst on hols? Help please!

[Starfish83]

Hi lovely Mumsnetters,

I’m off on a sun holiday soon, but hols are a bit different now with a toddler to chase and I am currently pregnant.

I’m thinking I’ll St Tropez before I go, but how do I maintain this whilst I’m away to stop it going patchy? And will I still tan or will fake tan act as a barrier? I won’t have the time to reapply another coat whilst there (for 11 days).

For context, I am going with some people who have beautiful tans and would feel so much better if I were to be golden! How do fake tan devotees manage to stay so beautifully brown all the time without ever going patchy?!

Thank you in advance! 😊 x

I use Dove Summer Glow and slather it on every 2/3 day or the evening after I've shaved my legs that am. A gradual moisturiser one means I don't have to be accurate and can do it in a hurry. Remember a nail brush so you can wash under your nails though!

I love Vita Liberte (sp?!) overnight tan mask for my face now I'm trying to be kinder to my old and knackered face in the sun. I decant some into a small pot and use ever 3rd night. The tube I have has been on the go for 2summers now so was worth every penny (£24ish). It's nice and rich so means I can skip night cream when I use it.

Have a lovely time OP

Thanks so much, tellmewhen. Am gently bumping for any other thoughts... 😀 x

I love the st tropez in shower gradual tan! I used it whilst in spain and it's so easy. Literally just shower as normal then turn off the shower, apply to wet but not dripping skin, rub in the lotion, it spreads like shower gel and foams up so it's easy to apply and I've never had any streaks with it. You then just wipe your palms with a flannel and it says to wait 3 mins but I always try to wait about 6/7 to make sure I get a good colour. Then rinse and pat dry! No waiting for skin to dry, it's no faff at all and builds a nice gradual colour. Its always my go to, I get the dark one as have to say the light doesnt make an awful lot of difference but the medium/dark works.

Firstly, you will still tan, you’ll need sun protection with a good spf when you’re in the sun.

A gradual tanner, a body lotion or an in shower one would keep your colour up and stop you from going patchy. Eco by Sonya do one called Winter Skin that’s good.

Vita Liberata do a self tanner with spf 50 but I think that leave you with tan lines unless you put it on under clothes too, then I think it might stain your clothes.

Do get a sun protection product with spf as well as a gradual tan product.

YY to SPF as normal, good point.

I took fake tan with me in case I went patchy and was careful not to rub myself dry on holiday after being in the pool and pat myself instead

Just started using St Tropez in shower gel and it’s brilliant. No streaks and no smell.

Skinny tan gradual tan is lovely, really natural and no streaks.

Thanks so much for all the advice - super-helpful! 😀 x

Even though I’ve tried lots and lots of tans that work really well, I’ve never found one that doesn’t come off or fade or go patchy with chlorine I’m afraid