What a great invention these products were for the average joe – moisturised skin and a healthy summer glow all in one! However, what some people don’t realise is that because these products do contain a certain amount of fake tan, your skin has to be prepped the very same way in order to achieve superb results.
STEP 1
Scrub, scrub, scrub!!!! You should of course be scrubbing and exfoliating your skin every time you shower anyway, but you should also do a dry body scrub once or twice a week before you get a shower. Just watch all those dead flakes fly off your body! I recommend a wooden body brush from the Body Shop, or available in most good chemists for about 10-15 euro. Now, remember to use this on dry skin, before you shower, once a week. It completely rids your body of dry skin, but also increases your lymph circulation and is great for reducing cellulite (YAY!). I also recomend the ultimate buffing cloth from Dermalogica (15 euro pictured below). Just wait till you feel your skin after using this thing. I use mine every day in the shower with a little bit of body wash, all over my body. It totally exfoliates your skin better than any srub or loofah I have ever used! (This cloth is also great for preventing ingrown hairs on the legs and bikini after waxing)
STEP 2
So, after your two days of scrubbing, just apply a non tanning moisturiser to your body for two days. Now your skin is totally prepped.
STEP 3
Third day – you’re ready for your tanning moisturiser. Have your shower as usual (and dont forget your buffing cloth!). After your shower dry yourself really well, but also wait 5 minutes to make sure all moisturiser has completely evaporated from your skin.
STEP 4
Start from your feet and work your way up. Do up to the knee on one leg and then the other, (that way your super slim tummy:) wont rub off your thigh if you do one full leg and then the other). Use small dollops at a time. Do small areas at a time and always apply in small circles, not long swipes (swipes=streaks=yikes!). I never wear gloves, just wash your hands straight away when you are finished. I think you just get a better skin to skin feel with bare hands, but always wear gloves with full on tan! Never forget your arm pits, back of neck, behind your ears and back of hands.
I would always use one specially designed for the face as body moisturisers are far too heavy for the face. Wait at least 5 minutes before dressing and there you go! If applying more the next day for a deeper glow, no need to exfoliate in between. I don’t reccomend using more than five days in a row as they can build up quite heavily.
Anyone had a California Spray tan? If so would you recommend it? Thinking of changing from Fake Bake..