If you’ve read this blog from the very beginning, then you may remember a very confused period in my life about two years ago where I actually – and I feel a bit sicky writing this – gave up fake tan. I even bought foundation that actually matched my natural skintone (eww). I think it lasted all of a month, if that, and I was soon back to my faux glowing ways. I’ve tried many, MANY brands over the years, and learned a lot during my six month stint working at a tanning brand, and so thought I would share my weekly routine.
First up, it’s important to get my skin as smooth as possible so the tan goes on evenly. I shave and then exfoliate with my current fave of Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub (I might have also bought the Sugar Crush body wash and body spray because it makes me feel like a fruity cocktail). I tend to do this in the morning and then tan in the evening; it’s not a good idea to apply tan straight after shaving because it can settle in the pores and make you look like a speckled banana.
Once my skin is silky smooth, I apply tan using a mitt (okay, I have occasionally used a sock during desperate times but let’s not dwell on that). I flit between different brands because I’m a bit of a tanning hussy, but recently I’ve been using BeautyLab Peptide Tanning Lotion*. Now, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this if you’re new to tanning because it doesn’t have any guide colour, so it can be a bit tricky to know where you’ve applied it. However, it smells absolutely amazing thanks to cocoa, rose petal, jasmine and passion flower, and I have to admit it’s nice not having to worry about it rubbing off onto my sheets! This leaves a lovely, medium tan that’s perfect for everyday wear. The packaging is also very luxe looking so makes a nice addition to the bathroom shelf.
To make your tan last longer and fade evenly so you don’t look like a reptile, it’s important to apply moisturiser every day. I like to go one step further (obviously) and use a gradual tanning moisturiser to keep my colour up throughout the week. I already rambled on about this in my July Favourites but the Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze* is perfect for maintaining my tan while also leaving skin soft and smooth. Around 4 or 5 days after applying my first tan, I’ll start lightly exfoliating again to buff away the top layer of skin and then a day or 2 later the whole process begins again! It’s not easy being tanned, but my God, it’s worth it.
What products do you all use for tanning? Let us know in the comments!
I love fake tanning and always make sure to prep my skin with a good body scrub before hand! I use St Moriz tan but this Beauty Lab tan sounds fab, although I would worry I’d end up all streaky as you can’t see it on the skin! xx
Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x
I also love St Moriz, and have done for years 🙂 xx
I’m still a little bit terrified of full on tan. But I’ve been using the St Tropez in shower tan and love it. Baby steps…
http://www.tamlovestea.co.uk
Haha you’ll be addicted in no time 😉 xx
Walking around smelling like a ‘fruity cocktail’ sounds idea (and oh my gosh what a sweet way of putting it). I’m glad you’ve found a tanning regime that works well for you.. though, I must seem like a ghost to you! haha 🙂
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
Haha some girls look gorgeous pale, but it’s just not for me 😉 xx
I love the soap and glory scrubs they give you a good old clean and leave you feeling like new again (I think anyway) and I love cocoa brown! x
They’re definitely 2 of my fave brands right now 🙂 xx
I’m using St tropez gradual shower tan 🙂 I can’t do all of this as I have zero patience :p
Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥
Ahh I’ve just read your review of that! Glad you found something that works for you 🙂 xx
I’m not a tanning person myself but in terms of the Soap & Glory body scrub, I think this is great it’s smells fab and does a damn good job at exfoliating too! xx
franklyflawless.com
Yesss the smell is DIVINE 🙂
Heyyyy! I have been tanning weekly all winter (I don’t care if no one sees my legs, I have to!) and have am in a committed relationship with the Australian Tanner Bondi Sands – have you tried it?
But you are too right, it gets to Thursday Tanday and I get way to lazy with the exfoliating and prep work. I need to check out this Soap & Glory Business (everyone recommends!!) and get my life together!
Lovely to discover you gorgeous girls!
Kelsey x
Kelstagram
Ahh I haven’t tried Bondi Sands but would love to – heard such great things! xx
I don’t use fake tanners. I am very pale and feel like it wouldn’t look very natural on me 🙂
-Leta | The Nerdy Me
Ooh I’m sure you could find a grad tan that would look lovely! xx