Choosing The Perfect Fake Tan

Fake tan is one of our faves. You've probably noticed that we go on about keeping safe in the sun. In fact, we go on about it all the time - but it's because it's so important!

Instead, cheat your way to that healthy glow by using a sunless tanner or a fake tan - much easier than you might think. Whatever you do, don't cheat your way to a tan by using a sunbed. Many people falsely believe that going on a sunbed before you go on holiday provides you with some protection from the sun - but that's completely not true. Getting a tan from a subbed will give your skin an SPF of between 2 and 4 - which is nowhere near enough to protect you in the sun. Sunbeds also use a more concentrated form of UV light, which means that it's also more damaging to your skin than natural sunlight. In other words, don't do it! Now, on with the fake tan!

Which Formula Should I Choose?

There are loads of different fake tans out there - gels, mousses, sprays, creams, BB creams, lotions and tinted moisturizers to name but a few.

One thing you ideally always need to look for is a colored tanner, which means that you can see it when you apply it - which has two benefits. One, you can see where you apply it which means that you won't miss a spot and two, that you can see any streaks and buff them away before the tan sets. In terms of which formula you should choose, here are a few benefits of each formula:

• Gel tanner: sinks into skin easily, is tinted so you can see where to apply it and dries quickly. Many gels take up to 8 hours to develop, though, so this isn't a good option if you want an instant tan
• BB cream: soft and creamy, BB cream tanners act like a foundation for your legs, blurring away imperfections and hiding scars, bumps, lumps and bruises. They're instant, but one problem with them is that they take a little while to dry and they tend to run very easily, so you don't want to wear a BB tanner if you're likely to sweat or if it's likely to rain, as you'll get streaks everywhere

See Also: Tanning Techniques: Tanning Pills and Tanning Showers - Are they Safe?

• Mousse tanner: Mousses are fantastic for people who are new to fake tanning as they're pretty much foolproof. Simply shake and apply wherever you like. Rub in until absorbed and buff away any streaks as you see them. Mousses dry very quickly and they're tinted, too, so you can see where you're putting them
• Spray tanner: Spray tans are usually clear, so although they're really easy to apply you could miss a spot, leaving you with streaks or white patches

Can I Use Fake Tan On My Face?

As a general rule, you should use a separate tanner for your face. Most fake tans will specifically say that you should use them on the face, and that's because the skin on your face is more sensitive and vulnerable than the rest of your body.

Luckily, though, there are loads of fake tanners for the face out there. One of the best options is probably a tinted moisturizer with a gradual tan in it - use the moisturizer every day until you reach the desired color, then use once every 2-3 days to maintain your tan. These formulas are usually very gentle and you can even buy them for oily skin and sensitive skin, so they won't cause irritation. Another option is a long-lasting tanner. These typically come in the form of a gel that you apply to the face just like a moisturizer, leave to sink in, then apply moisturizer and makeup as usual. One thing you'll need to keep in mind with a facial tanner is that you need to blend it down into your neck as otherwise you'll be left with a tan tide mark. Not pretty!

Applying Fake Tan

Applying fake tan is easy peasy. You just need to do a little bit of preparation beforehand, but even if you don't, if you choose the right formula your tan will probably still look great. Most experts agree that for the very best tan with the very best colour - that lasts the longest - you need to thoroughly exfoliate the skin before applying the tanner. Use something like a salt scrub on the body and a mild exfoliator on the face, paying particular attention to dry areas of the body like the elbows, ankles and feet. Wash off, then dry skin thoroughly. Contrary to what you might think, you shouldn't moisturize skin before tanning as this creates a bit of a protective barrier, meaning that the tan won't "set" properly. 

For a streak-free finish, you should always use a fake tan mitt to apply your chosen formula. It reduces streaks and also keeps your hands tan-free, which means that you won't end up with brown palms.

See Also: Tanning Beds and UV Rays Cause Addict-like Brain Changes

Skip over the elbows and knees - for example, if you're going to apply two "coats", just apply one to your elbows and knees as these areas tend to soak in more color, leaving you looking like you've been kneeling in the mud. Once you've applied the tan, blend it into your neck (or into your facial tanner if you've used one), then leave to dry completely. To maintain your tan, use moisturizer every day - it'll help to prevent "shedding" and will keep skin smooth and gorgeously golden.