Who doesn’t love a sun-kissed glow?! I am not someone who tans easily in the sun, I never have been. So of course, with the end of summer here , I look like summer never even happened. My “sun-kissed glow” is literally non existent. I have no tan to even last me through the start of the fall season. Unfortunately, I spend less time in the sun now than I did when I was younger, mostly because I don’t have as much time in the day to lay out and relax so I always like to be stocked up on a good sunless tanner. So I thought I would do a post on my weekly routine!
Step 1. Exfoliate: First, and one of the most important steps to getting an even, airbrushed tan is to exfoliate. The way self tanning lotions/foams work is by reacting to the top layer of dead skin cells and giving it a darker color. If there is a build up of dead skin cells in areas like elbows, knees etc. the tanning lotion will bond to it giving an uneven/splotchy look. When you exfoliate any excess dead skin cells, you are left with a nice even layer to apply your favorite sunless tanner. I LOVE using this exfoliating scrub with a natural sea sponge in the shower before I tan. I usually give a little extra attention to my knees, feet, and elbows.
Step 2. Moisturize: Its best if you DO NOT put moisturizer all over your body before applying your sunless tanner. The moisturizer creates a barrier making it more difficult for the tanning solution to react with your skin. This can cause your tan to look splotchy. However, before applying the tanning solution, I use a pea sized amount of a regular lotion (not a tinted moisturizer) on each of my knees, elbows, ankles and wrists. I rub it in thoroughly on each spot. This helps to spread the solution more evenly over these areas so you don’t have any harsh lines showing where your tan starts and stops.
Step 3. Apply: I feel like everyone is different when it comes to application. Personally, I LOVE foam tanning solutions as opposed to lotions or sprays. I have found that for my skin, foam applies more evenly and I am able to spread the solution easier than a lotion.
-Legs: I start on my shins and work my way up the leg. I have found this method to work best because if you start at the top and work your way down, the excess amount of tanning solution could collect in this area causing harsh lines around your ankles instead of a nice blended look next to your feet.
-Arms: Same goes for my arms, I start in the middle of my forearm and work my way up the arm. I lightly rub over the elbow area, and I lightly rub the wrist line onto the tops of my hand. Another trick I use is to turn the mitt over to the clean side, and use that side to blend the wrist & ankle lines. I also do this in the armpit area so I don’t end up with any harsh lines. I try to avoid putting sunless tanner directly on my armpits because it’s such a prominent area of detoxification for the body.
-The torso is usually pretty easy to tan because it’s a flat area and usually covered with clothing so I don’t have any special techniques that I use when tanning this area. However, as a breastfeeding momma, I definitely avoid the nipple area and most of the time I only tan the tops of my chest where the skin would be exposed when wearing a regular shirt. This is just a personal preference. Do what you feel is best for your body.
– Extra tip: If you have an extra bronzer makeup brush lying around that you don’t use on your face, you can use it to blend your wrist & ankle area. I blend from my wrists onto my hands to give the color a smooth fade.
Step 4. Moisturize: After im done applying the tanning solution I wait about 2 hours before putting on any lotion. This helps seal the tan and minimizes any splotches that may happen if you come in contact with small amounts of water. I usually tan at night before I go to bed so I don’t have to worry about my daily activities causing my tan to come off too early haha! Mom life with a toddler and infant, I am constantly having drinks spilled on me, drool on my shoulder from a teething baby etc. I have a designated set of pajamas, because some sunless tanners have a bronzer in them. The bronzer layer of the solution will come off a little on your clothes before you wash it off so make sure you sleep in loose clothing. My tanner always washes out in the washing machine though so no worries about any permanent stains on your pjs.
Step 5. Wash: When washing off the tan I usually take a quick shower & I don’t use any type of scrubbing or exfoliating cloth while washing. When getting out of the shower, PAT yourself dry instead of rubbing the towel on your skin.
I promise this whole process doesn’t take as long as this post makes it seem. I can usually get everything completely done in about 10 minutes. Being as fair skinned as I am, I have always wanted to achieve that beautiful bronzed glow and I have tried SOOOO many different products in the past and nothing has compared to these products I am currently using. I absolutely love these products and have gotten many compliments on my tan when I use them. I linked my favorite products below, all you have to do is click the link and it will take you right to the site. So that pretty much sums it up. Saving the world one bronzed babe at a time J Happy tanning!
xoxo
Ashley
For my tanning mitt click the pic >
For my exfoliating skin polish click the pic >
For my tanning solution click the pic >
Click here for tanning solution in shade Lux Ultra Dark
Click here for tanning solution in shade Violet
For my instant tanning lotion (medium shade) click the pic >
Click here for the instant tanning lotion in the shade dark
Click here for the instant tanning lotion in the shade ultra dark