Step 1
Pick your potion
If it’s your first time self-tanning or you’ve
struggled with streaking before, stick to creams. They’re easy to control.
For beautiful bod color, try Clinique Self-Sun Self-Tanning Lotion,
Physicians Formula Sun Shield Sunless Tanning Lotion, or Avon Sunless Tanning
Cream SPF 8. If you’re already comfy
using self-tanners, consider sprays, foams, or gels–they feel lighter and less
greasy than creams. For foam fun, try
Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Foam or Banana Boat Sunless Tanning Mousse. Cool gels hit the spot on hot days; try
Clarins Self Tanning Gel or Estée Lauder Go Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner for
Body. Or spray on sunshine with L’Oreal
Suncare Research Ombrelle Sunless Spray SPF 12. For a face fix, go for a tanner that’s specially made for your
mug (they have zero oil). Try Lancôme
Sôleil Expert Sun care Self-Tan Face Lotion with Sunscreen or Bain de Soleil
Sunless for Face. Always choose the
shade that’s closest to your skin tone; even if you want a savage tan, if
you’re fair you’ll look fake with a deep hue.
Step 2
Prep your pores
For legs, shave
or wax the day before so the lotion glides right on. Note, since tanners only penetrate the top layer of skin, avoid
shaving after you tan or you could whisk away color. No matter where you apply self-tanner, you’ll first need a good
skin scrub; super-dry patches tend to collect color, and without exfoliation
you risk a leopard look. For your face,
reach for a gentle scrub. For your bod,
squirt a little scrub onto a loofah and smooth away. Be sure to rinse well so no residue hinders your hue.
Step 3
Get your bod glowing
Strip down–no strap lines for you, sister–and slip
on rubber gloves (You don’t want your buds to read your palms and realize
you’re a bottled bronze!). Color takes
about 45 minutes to set in, so go for the gold when you have time to chill. Or do it before bedtime–but make sure you
sleep on an old towel to avoid sheet streaks.
First apply lotion to areas that tend to be dry no matter how hard you
scrub–your ankles, knees, and elbows.
Moisture-poor spots get dark fast.
Now you’re ready to rub. Squirt
a dime-size amount of tanner into the palm of a gloved hand, then smooth in,
blending with small, circular strokes.
Step 4
Make your face fab
Your mug is one of the trickiest places to tan,
since it produces the most oil. This
slickness can make color go on unevenly.
Plus, areas in which you’re broken out collect color quickly, making
blemishes even brighter. Pull your hair
back and smooth on sun, blending out toward your hairline.
Step 5
Keep your color
Once you’re finished, don’t shower or swim for at
least eight hours, or you risk sun run.
Once you do hit the water, skip the loofah and rub gently with a
washcloth. If you notice dark patches,
dab on a few drops of fresh lemon juice; the acid will help even out the
color. You’ll need to reapply tanner
about twice a week, but skip the scrub the second time around; exfoliating once
every other week is plenty. And when
you head outside, remember why you tanned sans sun in the first place and
slather on sunscreen–your chemical color won’t banish burn. Not all self-tanners contain SPF, and even
those that do should only be considered extra protection. Get it?
Got it? Glow!