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There are many self tan products on the market at present, and to choose which one to go for can be a daunting task to start with. How do I know what one will suit me best? Instant, gradual, spray, lotion etc…

Trial and error is the usually answer.

I, for one, prefer the ease and less complicated approach to a healthy glow to your skin by using a self tan, without the harmful effects of the sun or sun beds, this has to be the better option for a “tan” after all a permanent tan only leaves its mark by permanently damaging your own skin, ageing you and changing the skins natural pigments and thus changing skin cells which is the start of skin cancers.

The self tan itself works by temporarily staining the skin with a pigment embedded within the product. This will always be temporary and will come away from the skin in a natural time line of around 5-10 days depending on how your skin exfoliates or renews itself and how often you wash and stimulate your skin with creams and other lotions.

There are predominantly two types of self tan, one you spray on to the body and a lotion that you rub in manually, some for just face and some for just body.

There are also professional tanning systems that you can have usually at a tanning centre or beauty salon. These establishments offer the same two types, lotion or a spray, depending on the brand of other products they are using in the salon.

The best way to get a great looking tan is in the preparation! The skin needs to be prepared for the product that is about to be applied; this should start at least two days before you apply the tan. We all see those “faux pas” self tan applications, where the hands are orange, knuckles are dirty, eye brows suspicious and concentred lumps of tan around the ankles and feet! How can you prevent this?

My Self Tan advice:

1. Prepare! Exfoliate the whole body, including the feet, elbows, face and neck, hands and fingers – everywhere! This will prepare the skin and remove any un-even dryness to those areas. It will also enable the self tan to adhere to the skin better on a fresh smooth surface.
2. Nourish your skin with a body moisturiser.
3. Repeat this step again if you are particularly dry the following day, but not on the same day you are applying the tan as this will make the skin to sensitive.
4. Now your skin is prepared, do not apply any moisturiser before the tan application, nor use any deodorants or perfumes on the day, this will cause a barrier to the tan and it may not adhere properly.
5. Apply a barrier cream lightly to your fingers (and in between them, even over the nails!) knees and ankles, around the ears, over the eyebrows. This will prevent the tan sticking to those “suspect areas” and give you more of a natural looking application.
6. Whether you decide on a spray or lotion, be sure to cover every square inch of your body evenly and with a lotion, be sure to stroke your skin in all directions to avoid streaking! A spray tan will generally avoid such “lines”, as long as you do spray a good 12 inches away from the body! Always bend forward slightly before spraying your buttocks, this will prevent the “smile” lines in the creases of your buttocks – this isn’t a good look in a bikini when you reach forward for your towel!
7. AFTERCARE! Once you are looking fabulous, be sure to maintain the quality of the self tan by not using too much shower gel or exfoliate in the bath or shower in the following days after the tan. Always use a body moisturiser or body oil to refresh the skin and give it that glow! This will pro-long the tan also.

I hope you have found these tips useful; I have experienced many self tan products and used to apply them as a job once upon a time! I still use self tan for occasions where an outfit requires that extra special touch of a healthy tan! Not only does it make me feel better, my skin does look refreshed and skin tone looks even.
I prefer a spray tan at a salon as the product is a little better in quality and tends to last a bit longer too.

My ‘Salon’ Tan Top Tip:

My TOP TIP for a salon spray tan would be take a hair-dryer with you! Why? These tans will take up to an hour to dry and you will not get that drying time at the salon. You will also feel sticky and asking to use your own hair-dryer will, warm you up AND dry off the tan that little extra before you put your clothes back on.

I always wear BLACK clothing and make sure your neck and chest are practically dry, as if you drive home after your tan, if you are damp, the seat-belt will rub and make a mark in the tan and on your skin by the time you get home.

I have my own beauty website with a great range of spray tan and lotion self tans for you to enjoy, please take a look when you can, and good luck with your tan!

Jodie x

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