Self tan tips needed!

[Chanel05]

I've had tons of spray tans over the years but never tanned at home myself!

Well, I'm armed with a mitt, St. Tropez Express and I exfoliated this morning. Will tomorrow morning be okay to self- tan? Looking for all the tips you have so I don't cock it up 😂.

Always shower, exfoliate, shave & moisturise the night before. In that order. Wait ten minutes before your apply moisturiser.

Day of the tan;
Try not to use any perfume, deodorant or body creams, as this can make the fake tan appear green. If you must wear anything - have a cool shower before you tan (as not to open up the pores)

When tanning:
Use small amounts of the tan and buff into the skin using the mitt in quick small circles. Keep buffing until there are no streaks/lines.

When tanning your hands and feet, use a big fluffy makeup brush (buff in circular motions) as this will give off a more even finish.

Once the tan is applied, dry yourself off using a cool setting on a hairdryer and put on dark loose fitting clothing/PJs.

Rinse off with cool water once you have left the tan on the desired time to develop. (Whatever the instructions say)

Yes all the above and def no straps, elastic trouser legs or anything after applying. Really baggy and floaty. I usually do at night (well, in the evening), let dry a bit and then go to bed as the fake tans got a particular smell and also it’s not convenient to wear the right kind of clothes in the day. No pyjamas tho ! Then, when you get up it’s had hours to work

Update! I ended up doing the exfoliate, shave and moisturise routine on Saturday morning again, ready to tan on Sunday morning. I left for three hours (St. Tropez express) and rinsed off with cool water.

Used no products, used a soft brush for hands and feet (admittedly these look okay) but the rest of me is lily white! What have I done wrong?!

Sounds like you’ve done nothing wrong. I personally don’t like Express tans or St. Tropez.

I use Bondi Sands or Loving Tan and always leave on overnight for 8+ hours before rinsing off.

You could try again but leave the tan on for more than 3 hours. Take a look on the tans reviews online - a lot don’t rate it, or have to leave on overnight to see a difference.

Thanks for the feedback @FlissyPaps ! I'll maybe try another. I have a wedding to attend in a few weeks and want to give it another go. Could you recommend a Bondi Sands?

I switch between the ‘Bondi Sands Dark Tanning Foam’ and ‘Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse’. I always leave on overnight (luckily I have dark bed sheets😂) but neither have ever let me down. I’m really pale and always go for the darker shades as a light/medium tan doesn’t give me a glow at all.

Another update here! I went for the bondi sands dark tan overnight and have a great glow on my arms and legs and less so on my chest 🤔. Is there anything I can do? Should I go over that area again? @FlissyPaps

I'm going to a wedding on Thursday and hoping that I can keep the tan going until then!!