Self tanning
A healthy glow is a great confidence booster but with many of us keen to avoid those sun-inducing lines and wrinkles, the best way to achieve a great looking tan is to fake it!
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The lowdown on fake tan
Fake tan has been around for years and there are now stacks of options for bronzing our pins - from quick tanning towels and lotions you use at home to the more pricier options of spray booths and hour-long treatments at your local salon. Whichever method you decide to go for, it's important to a) select the correct product for your skin type and b) get the application right! Even the most expensive fake tan will end up looking shoddy if the application process is more along the lines of 'slap it on and go' so it's essential to take your time and apply it carefully for optimum results.
It's also important to think about the 'type' of tan that will suit your skin. Tanning towels are great for fairer skins for example, as the colour is quite light and natural-looking, whilst olive skin tones can carry a much darker, more intense lotion like those offered by St. Tropez. Alternatively you could play it a bit safer with one of the many tan-infused moisturisers. These are basically a 50/50 blend of tanning lotion and body cream and can be applied each day to build up a natural looking tan. They come in different 'shades' to suit different skin tones and are much lighter on the purse strings compared to many other self-tan products. Johnson's Holiday Skin and Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion are both pretty fool-proof and are excellent products to try if you're trying fake tan for the first time.
Getting a good result
Naturally some fake tans are better than others but the final look is really down to the application process and how good you are at acquiring an 'even' result. Although this might take practice, there are a few simple rules you can follow to increase your chances of a natural-looking, streak-free tan.
- Shave your legs and exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Dry, rough patches of skin are a major no-no as the fake tan will cling to the surface of the skin resulting in unsightly orange patches. Use a body brush or exfoliator if you have one, or go for a DIY skin booster with a rough cloth all over the body. If your skin has been fairly neglected over the past few months, try exfoliating a few times before to apply the tan to give your skin a chance to soften.
Netmums tip: If you're prone to dry skin, you might find it takes a few attempts to get an even coverage as the skin will take time to soften. You can speed up the process by exfoliating those areas more often and applying a skin-softening cream like E45. It's also advisable to shave or wax the night before to give your skin a chance to settle. - Use moisturiser. Apply cream to your exfoliated skin and let it dry completely. You can add extra cream to dry areas to speed up the healing process but it's best to do this a few hours before so it doesn't prevent the tan from working properly.
- Use Vaseline on your nails, hairline and any rough patches to avoid staining and keep the colour even.
- Take your time! Rubbing the tanner into your skin like a woman possessed will only result in that orange WAG look. The best way to achieve a natural looking tan is to rub the lotion in gently and attempt each limb one at a time, only moving onto the next section when you're satisfied that the skin is evenly covered.
- To avoid streaky clothes and skin, wait around 5-10 minutes before putting your clothes back on, likewise avoid any strenuous activity immediately after application!
Mums' tips
"Don't overdo it on areas like knees and elbows, I always apply on these areas and then literally wipe it all off with an old sock. You still get colour but without those tell tale crusty orange ankles. When applying tan to your face, I use a small sponge, available from any make-up counter, just make sure you don't overdo your neck in comparison." Maria
"I've got lots of dry skin on all those classic areas like my knees, ankles and elbows, so I always mix a bit of the tan with moisturiser to soften the colour and avoid looking tangoed. It works a treat every time." Natalie C
"A great way to instantly remove unwanted fake tan is to use nail polish remover. Simply dip a cotton wool pad into the bottle and dab it lightly onto the skin. It's ideal for all those difficult to reach areas like between the fingers and toes and palms!" Siobhan F
"To remove tanner from palms, without washing off the colour off of the tops of your hands, try rubbing your palms along a wet washcloth, making sure to get in between fingers. You need to do it immediately after application otherwise the colour will dry." Rebecca D
"I always find that a dab of toothpaste helps to remove any streaky bits. Apply it to the skin, dab it with some cold water soaked cotton wool and you're done." Tansey B
"Wear those very thin disposable latex gloves to apply - it's easier than trying to stop dry bits round nails getting too tanned. Don't apply if you still have dry, cracked shins from the winter- you'll look like crazy paving. Moisturise and exfoliate like mad for 1-2 weeks beforehand and mix half and half with moisturiser for feet, elbows, hands & face. If you kept it from last year, it may well have gone green! Don't throw it out, it was expensive and it will still work. Apply as usual, leave to develop and once washed off, no Incredible Hulk look." Joy Robinson from 'The Lady' magazine
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"I usually buy my tan from the Body Shop - absolutely beautiful stuff! It makes you feel really good and so coordinated because if you're anything like me I've usually got brown arms (from wearing short sleeved tops) and paler legs (from wearing jeans all the time!). I also advise to start early on as by the time the summer (let's be hopeful!) finally arrives you should have applying the stuff down to a fine art without getting it all over your white linen trousers (this I say from personal experience!)." Nicola White
"Despite moisturising I find the fake tan sits in my pores after shaving, causing a spotty look! I now moisturise and tan then shave the following day which works so much better." Maggie McCloud
"Avon do a few self-tanning products and more moisturisers with a hint of self-tan and even a dial-a glo one to adjust the tan level as you go! Plus they always have offers on something (especially now during the recession!) so you can shop smart." Lindsay Glover
"I am a spray tan therapist in the Worcestershire area and use Sienna x solutions of which there are 5 different shades to suit every skin type. I apply a barrier cream to those problem dry skin areas so that the solution doesn't cling to them and gives a more even result." Lisa Holden
"I use Virgin Vie Rise & Shine Body Buffer 2 or 3 times a week, then once a week I use my Buff & Polish Salt Scrub! AND of course you MUST moisturise after EVERY bath or shower - I use Virgin Vie Honey 24 hour moisturising spray. Do this ALL year round NOT just in when you want to fake tan & you will never suffer with dry skin. If you are not confident with Fake tanning then use a moisturiser that builds up then go on to the actual lotions." Sarah McNicol
"I used to use fake tans all the time and was a big fan of St Tropez however if money was tight at the end of the month, I used tanning towels sold in Wilkinson, they are usually only a few pounds to buy and are often on buy one get one free offer. I have some other friends who swear by them too." Victoria Friel
"I find that DOVE Summer Glow Body Lotion is a great way to build up a tan slowly. If you apply it everyday you will notice the difference with 3-4 days and then all you need to do is touch up every few days. It only costs about £4.20 but it is a great product. You also don't have any horrible smells or streaks with this." Sherry Carne
"I wear fake tan all year round, there isn't one I haven't tried, Recently I ran out of gloves and decided to use a pair of socks to apply my usual St. Tropez. It was the best, most natural looking application I have tried and would recommend it, especially to virgin or unconfident tanners!! Also, to save money, in the winter I just tan my top half (chest, arms, neck and face) I find that this saves a fortune and time applying tan that actually no one is going to see any way!!" Klare Porter
"If you are worried about orange palms then I would advise to wash hands well with a bar of soap (not handwash) twice after every limb application or use disposable gloves - either buy them or ‘borrow' a pair from your local garage! When doing the back of your hands just use a little tan applied on some cotton wool. Finally remember less is always more, a little instant tan can always be added plus we live in a cool sun-starved climate which is good as too much sun equals too many wrinkles - an upside to everything!!" Jennifer Rainey
"The best advice I have is to use a fake tan mitt. You can buy them from Boots, Ebay ... anywhere that sells tan really. They can be used with instant wash-off tan, to mousses and lotions for an expert application. I wouldn't put my tan on without one!" Claire, Wolverhampton
"I use L'Oreal Sublime Bronze because it is 'tinted' which means you can see exactly where you are applying it before it dries. It then gets darker after a couple of hours. It's the best fake tan I've ever used and has glitter in it which makes your skin shimmer for a tan that will last all week!" Hayley O'Beirnes
Fake tan during pregnancy
The main active ingredient in fake tan is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a non-toxic substance that's responsible for producing that classic bronzed hue on the surface of the skin. This is suitable for most skin types though there is a very slight risk that pregnant women will be more susceptible to an allergic reaction due to changing hormones and increased skin sensitivity. Sadly this also means that mums to be are more inclined to burn in the sun, so it's far more advisable to wear a sunscreen (SPF15+) and opt for tanning make-up instead.
If you simply can't bear to be without your fake tan during pregnancy, check with your GP first and make sure you test the solution on a small patch of skin before taking the plunge.
Using tanning make-up
Fake tan isn't for everyone. Some women hate the smell whereas others can't stand the prospect of streaky legs or being stuck with that 'tangoed look' for five days. If this sounds like you, why not opt for a make-up bronzer instead? These are great at giving an instant 'just got back from Bermuda' glow but with the added bonus of being able to wash it all off at the end of the night.
Try some of the following products:
Rimmel Instant Tan Make-up for Face & Body: An instant flawless tan that's easy to apply and doesn't brush onto clothes. Choose from four different shades to match your skin tone and opt for matte (great for daytime) or shimmer (ideal for holidays or evenings out).
Max Factor Bronzing Powder: A one-shade shimmering powder that you can use over your normal make-up for a subtle glow.
Mac bronzer: It's not the cheapest option but boy does it work. Mums love it's natural finish and it gives pale skin tones a great lift. Use it on bare skin for a beach-fresh skin-tone or apply it over make-up for a more dramatic effect.
