Fake Tan Tips and Tricks

In a recent survey, 51 per cent of women said they felt better about their body when it was tanned. They felt thinner, they felt sexier and they felt fitter.

Feeling confident about your body is one of the most beautiful states any woman can be in. However, as we know only too well, tanning comes at a price. Exposing yourself to the sun’s ultraviolet rays ages the skin, adding up to 20 years to how you’ll look by the time you reach your forties. On a more serious note, sunbathing can kill you by promoting a very serious form of skin cancer called malignant melanoma. Faking a tan is therefore one of the best things you can do for your body in terms of both beauty and health. With Spring in the air, here are a few tips on how to “Fake a Tan.”

Choosing your tanner

There are a number of different types of fake tan. If you’re nervous, choose one you can wash off immediately.

Facial tans - These are normally slightly lighter in consistency and shade than body tans. Also they are designed with fewer pore-blocking ingredients.

Bronzing gel - Used to create a sheer facial tan, they wash off after use. Great if you’re nervous about uneven application.

Temporary tanners - These apply a bronze colour to the skin’s surface but don’t actually stain it.You can wash them off immediately, but they’re no good to use while swimming.

Cream tans - The most common form of fake tan, they contain an ingredient called DHA (dihydroxyacetone) which attaches to protein in skin, darkening it.

Spray tans - These also contain DHA but are often in lighter formulations. They’re also much easier to apply.

Tinted tans - These are great when you want to avoid streaking.They go on dark, so you can see where you’ve applied the colour; then fade into the skin. A few hours later the tan appears.

Tan enhancers - These can be after sun moisturizers, shower gels or cellulite creams but they all work in the same way, delivering a very low level of fake tan to the skin.

Read more after the jump.

Choosing your shade

Fake tans come in different shades and choosing one that’s too dark is a bigmistake. You will find that tans come in two basic types.

Golden - This is a yellow-based tan best for blondes, redheads, those with black hair, those with Asian-type or very pale skin, and anyone whose brown hair gets golden lights in summer

Bronze - This is for everyone else. Remember that your face never goes as dark as your body; keep it one to two shades lighter for a natural look.

Applying it well

It is very easy to apply fake tan badly, leaving you with a blotchy look. For the best results stick to these golden rules.

Exfoliate the skin - Dry skin absorbs higher concentrations of fake tan, which means it ends up darker than the rest of you.The day (or at least two hours) before you decide to tan, go over your whole body with a body scrub. Pay special attention to elbows, knees and ankles. Now moisturize well to prevent any further dehydration. Don’t do this just before you tan - if the moisturizer isn’t applied properly or dried properly, it’s a sure-fire way to getting a streaky, uneven tan.

Apply the tan - Work on one limb at a time. For the best results wear gloves (to prevent orange palms) and rub the tan in circular motions (this reduces streaking) until it’s totally absorbed into the skin. Don’t skimp, as patchy application leads to a patchy look, but use less than if you were applying body lotion. You shouldn’t be left with excess on the skin. Dry areas like elbows, ankles and knees should always be treated last and with minimum product - just use what’s left on your palms.

Do hands last - The best way is to rub tan on the back of one hand, then rub the two backs of your hands together If you do decide to use your palms, rub them straight away with a wipe soaked in toner- nothing says fake tan like orange palms.

Eliminate streaks - Use astringent toners to remove fake tan, or try using toothpaste. Exfoliation will even out patchy application.

Repeat the process - If you feel you’re not dark enough once the product has been completely absorbed into your skin, apply another coat of fake tan as described above.

If you follow the tips above you can be sure of a healthy, natural looking self tan every time.

Content courtesy of GirlzNight Magazine.