To Tan Or Not To Tan?
Recently I’ve been toying with the idea of using fake tan. I’m a complete fake tan virgin – I’ve never ever touched the stuff. I’m very pale and try desperately at every chance of sunlight to get a tan, but alas I just turn a bit pink or burn. So because of this I have no idea why I haven’t tried to explore the fake tan route. I’d love to have a bit of colour instead of my ghostly pale whiteness. The only trouble is as a fake tan virgin, I have no idea what I’m doing. After writting a bit on Twitter and talking to some of you fellow bloggers, I was adviced to try out a gradual tan moisturiser.
After much advice I picked up this Dove Summer Glow Moisturiser for fair to normal skin from Boots for £5.69. I haven’t tried it out yet but I’ve had a sniff and it smells nice at least!
I’ve also picked up some great advice from you guys over Twitter on how to fake tan, so I thought I’d share it with you in case there are any other fake tan virgins out there!
Before Tanning –
24 Hours Before –
Make sure you’ve shaved/waxed your legs as doing this after will effect your tan. Also make sure you exfoliate and moisturise to give the tan a smooth base to be applied on to.
Immediately Before –
Apply a small amount of an oil free moisturiser over any dry areas as this will ensure an even looking tan.
Application –
1) Legs and Feet – Starting with the feet use a cotton pad or makeup sponge for a smooth finish. To avoid tell-tale ‘tide-marks’ apply lightly between toes and around nails, blending carefully over the heels and towards the bottons of your feet. Then continue with the lower legs, apply in circular motions, blending upward lightly over kneews, then continue circular motions around the thighs.
2) Chest and Arms – Apply a small amount in circular motions to your shoulders, chest, stomach and arms and as far around your sides as you can reach.
3) Back – Backs can be difficult if you’ve no one there to help you, but they needn’t be with this simple trick we have picked up over the years. Take a piece of cling film approximately 50cm long and fold it in half lengthways.Now apply 3 dots of tanner along the strip, and taking an end in each hand, rub across your back and shoulders (the same way you would with a towel). Use a mirror to check for any spots you might have missed and reapply if necessary.
4) Hands – Leave your hands until last, wash them throughly with a bar of soap for about a minute (bar soap works better than liquid soap) and leave them to dry for about 10 minutes. Now use a cotton wool pad or a makeup sponge to apply a small amount to the backs of hands and more lightly between the fingers and around the nails and gently work into your skin.
This is advice I’ve been told by friends, people on Twitter, and some stuff I’ve googled so I thought I’d share it with you in case it can help any of you out! I’m looking forward to trying out my fake tan, I’ll update you further after I’ve tried it out a bit!
Do you fake tan?
Do any of you have any other advice for fake tanning virgins?