Gone are the days when you had to spend hours in the sun just to get a natural, sun-kissed glow. You can give your skin a warm and healthy colour, without any harmful UV rays, with an appropriate self-tanning product.
But not all self-tanning products are created equal. Some self-tanning products cause streaks, some fade away quickly, and others have such strong odours that they are very hard to ignore.
If you want your tanned skin to look natural and feel luxurious, you have to find a product that suits your skin type and daily schedule.
Pick a Type That Fits Your Routine
Among self-tanners, the forms that they come in include products like foam, lotions, sprays, and even droplets containing tannin. Foams' favour for quick results, combined with ease of use, is quite popular itself.
If your skin is dry, lotions feel more soothing. Tannin drops, on the other hand, give you an opportunity to control the strength of colour: just mix them with your daily cream. Sprays help you spray your own difficult areas, like the back.
Go for a Realistic Finish
Many brands are better suited for the natural look. Bondi Sands and Eco Tan are popular options. With "Aero" from Bondi Sands, the mousse dries quickly and gives off a uniform golden colour without looking fake at all.
Eco Tan "Invisible Tan" will not leave people disappointed should they wish to go fully ecological. The result of using both products is that you can enjoy a tanned appearance without looking orange.
Gradual Tans Are Easy for Beginners
If you want an easy tan, try a gradual bronzer if this is your first time or perhaps just for a natural sun-kissed look. They take a few days to darken gradually and are difficult to go wrong with. Both Dove’s Summer Glow and Bali Body’s Gradual Face Tan are easy to use, gentle on the skin, and allow you to choose your desired level of darkness.
Use a Face-Friendly Tanner for Better Results
The skin on your face is much thinner and develops differently from the body. To avoid breakouts or excessive dryness, use only products designed for your face.
Adding tanning drops to your moisturiser cream, such as Isle of Paradise face drops or Tan Luxe sleep drops, allows you to decide how much colour you want to put on. Mostly, you get soft, natural results.
Clear Tans Are Great for Day or Night Use
Clear self-tanners are trendy and helpful for those who don't want to change clothes after applying. They are applied with no guide colour and have few telltale signs while they develop.
If you are tanning by day or before going to bed, then St. Tropez's Watermelon Infusion or Bondi Sands clear tanning spray are exactly what you need. They have less of a tendency to stain your bedding and clothes.
Match the Shade to Your Skin Tone
Just like foundation, self tan isn’t one-size-fits-all. Fair skin typically does best with light or medium tan shades. Darker bronzes are generally better matched to deeper skin tones.
Some brands allow you to choose the shade or decide depending on your skin tone. This eliminates a good deal of guesswork.
If you're uncertain, you might consider reading a few reviews or testing a small section to start with. This way, you can avoid going too dark and having it look fake or too light, making your hard-won tan scarcely visible.
Take Care to Make It Last
If you've found a product you love, take extra measures to ensure its longevity. Exfoliate the day before tanning, and always apply with a mitt. Once the tan has settled smoothly into your skin, keep moisturiser every day to help it fade evenly.
Avoid ablutions that are too hot and soaps that are heavy-duty because they will take the colour off faster. Treat your skin kindly, and your tan lasts longer.
Your Glow, Your Choice
Self-tanning should feel easy, not stressful. Whether you’re after a light glow that builds slowly or a deep tan that shows up overnight, there’s something out there that fits your style.
