Fake Tan: How to Avoid Orange, Yellow and Green

Having a lovely golden tan is what all us ladies dream to have, it makes you feel thinner, sexier, healthier and let’s face it, what man doesn’t love a bronzed beach babe? But with the damage the sun can cause to our skin and the increasing amount of deaths from skin cancers, it all makes us stop and think before we slip into our new Seafolly bikini, rub coconut oil over our body and bake in the sun for a number of hours just to get that bronzed look.

The alternative and safest option to get that golden look is fake it, fake it all the way, who would ever know the difference. Unless your like me and learnt the task of picking and applying the right fake tan the hard way.
So here are a few great guide lines for you to follow this summer to avoid turning orange, yellow or green and coming out BROWN.

1) Salon tans are by far the best and most effective. Head to a spa or salon for an all over spray tan. All you need to do is stand in a booth (naked or in your bikinis, however you wish) and get sprayed front, back, side and even your face turns out evenly. These people are professionals at this type of work so usually you can just sit back, relax and get your spray on!

2) Next are the forbidden creams, gels, moose and self spraying tans, that we can all buy from supermarkets, chemist etc. Now these products are also great, if used correctly.

First step before applying self tan is wearing gloves, the first mistake and way to tell if your faking it is if your hands are stained orange. Next is have a shower and exfoliate your whole body, fake tan doesn’t hold evenly if you haven’t exfoliated, this is why a lot of tans turn out unevenly. And pay special attention to dry parts of your body, including elbows and knees. Start by applying tanner limb by limb, starting with lower leg and calf, then down to your ankle, foot and toes. Then move up to your upper thigh and buttocks area. Remember with your knees it’s always a good idea once finished both your legs to dampen a cloth and dab around your knee to avoid excess tan clumping. For the final step, apply tanner to your hips, stomach and torso, following with your shoulders and arms. Next is your face, usually the best is to buy a face tanning which will match your all body tan, but if you don’t have one just rub very lightly some tan, as if you where applying moisturizer all over your face. But remember to avoid your eyebrows. If you have been wearing gloves then remove the gloves and apply in- excessively to the tops of your hands. Always wait 10 -15 minutes before dressing and always relax while it’s drying, there is nothing worse if you start to sweat making the tan run and strike.

(My favorite choice though-out my years of faking it is Dove Summer Glow, this great product is a mixture of moisturizer and fake tan, which gives you a light yet coloring formula which is a gradual effect. This really is worth a try)

3) The next most important, is picking the right color tan for your skin. Not always picking the darkest tan will give you the results your after. Choose a tan color that is only a few shades darker than your natural skin color. For example if you are fairly dark skinned already, pick a self tan that is usually medium – dark, and if you are fair skinned naturally, choose a tan that is for fair – medium. If the color you choose isn’t dark enough you always have the easy option of applying more or trying a darker tan. Tanning is all about gradual steps, this isn’t a job to be rushed, otherwise disasters happen!

4) And finally remember all tanners work differently, so be aware to always read instructions before applying and it is also a good idea to do a skin test in case you may be allergic to the product. (Just rub a small amount on somewhere you can’t see (your buttocks is always good) and leave it for a few days to see if your skin gets any irritation from it. If it doesn’t then go right ahead and start tanning.

With these easy to follow steps you can help prevent walking around looking like a Umpa Lumpa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And instead feel like a natural glowing beauty.

Happy faking it!