Last year I decided to stop tanning...and for someone that had worked and visited a tanning salon nearly every single day for the past 10 years, this was a major decision. But I knew that it was a decision that I needed to make for my health. Watching my grandfather battle with skin cancer and constantly having to go to the Dr. to have areas from his face, neck, and ears burned and scraped off due to years of farming and being out in the sun unprotected...I didn't want that to end up being me a few more years down the road. So anyways, I started testing out faux tanning formulas. Currently, I use Norvell One Hour Rapid One Sunless Mist which can be purchased from Amazon for under $20! But I have also heard wonderful things about the St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse which is also on Amazon for around $45.
As someone who worked at a tanning salon for nearly 6 years and who also professionally spray tanned customers for 3 of those years, I know a little thing or two about spray tanning. So here I am...about to share my secrets with all of you beautiful mermaids, so listen up if you want to get the most out of your spray tan :)
8 Tips & Tricks to Get the Perfect Faux Tan
1. Always exfoliate very well before applying self tanner! If you don't, you won't be able to get that even coverage, you will notice areas of your skin might be darker than others and you might have that "dirty" look. So this step is the most important to remove any dead skin so this doesn't happen to you!!
2. Also, shaving. You want to shave a day or two before applying sunless tanner. I've made the mistake of shaving the day of numerous times and the results are always iffy. I've found that when I apply sunless tanner directly after shaving my legs the solution gets clumped up in literally every single hair follicle on my leg haha! So it looks like I have tons of brown spots. With that being said, shave a day or two before spray tanning your legs :)
3. Now, this step is the second most important after exfoliating..be sure that before applying your sunless tanner that you moisturize your joints (knees, ankles, wrist, elbows, fingers, toes). These areas tend to get color clumped. They can look darker, dirty, etc. So always put lotion on these areas so that you get a more even distribution of color.
4. To apply my norvel tanning solution, I use a hand mitt which you can purchase for around $3-$5 on Amazon. I spray the solution onto the mit NOT directly on my body. Sometimes if you spray the solution directly onto your body, you can get streaks if your not careful to blend and rub it all in. So for me, it's much easier to spray directly on the mit so I don't have to worry about the solution dripping.
5. When you're ready to spray, start from the bottom up! Start at your ankles, work your way up to your shoulders..this will prevent any weird marks when you bend over. Always save your hands and arms for last!
6. When applying sunless tanner to your face go very easy! Only apply tanning solution to the places where you'd naturally tan (forehead, apples of your cheeks, bridge of your nose, and your chin) then blend outward with your fingertips. Be careful around your nose and the top of your lip. These areas will pick up more color as they tend to be drier.
7. If your solution says it dries in 10 minutes, wait 20. Always make sure that your 100% dry. Then, you can apply a talc free baby powder all over your body so you don't transfer the solution to your clothes. Then avoid showering or sweating for 6-8 hours. I always apply before I go to bed.
8. To get the most out of your tan, be sure to stay moisturized and use a gentle cleanser. Avoid using retinols and acne treatments as well as they can dissolve the color on your face.
If you have any questions or even have some tips of your own that I haven't mentioned, feel free to comment below!!
xoxo, karabears
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