If you really want an even, natural looking, long lasting tan, then some time, care, and effort must go into it. I usually first begin to build my tan by using a daily moisturizer with a gradual tanner once or twice a day for a week or two. I think this really helps achieve an even natural looking result once you move on to a more advanced sunless tanning product. My personal preference is Jergen's Natural Glow. I think the color is best for me personally and the most natural looking. You can skip this step and achieve natural looking color in a day or two if your in a hurry, but if you do, you MUST be sure to start out with the proper shade. If you start with a self-tanner that is too dark you WILL turn orange or end up looking FAKE.
1. Picking The Right Product: I can't speak for all skin types, but I have tried many, many products over the years and I have found some that have really nice results when used properly. I have a medium, somewhat olive skin tone. However, I can tell you that my 19 year old daughter is very fair skinned and some of the same products work just as great for her, only she starts with the lightest shade.Visit my store to see the products I have had success with. You will not see any product there that I didn't actually try myself and like. So, if some drug store products made by popular skin care companies are not present, there is a reason for that. I have had some of the most horrifying results with these products. Hey, they are great at skin cream and hair dye, but I have found the best self-tanning products are made by companies specializing in the tanning industry.
2. Choosing The Shade That Is Right For Your Skin Tone: This is VERY important. It is the first mistake that many people make right off the bench. If you choose a shade that is too dark to start out with, then you are doomed to tanning disaster right from the start. Many people pick a shade according to what color they WANT there skin to be, rather than according to their actual skin tone. Start by choosing the shade that is right for you. If you want to tan several shades darker then you must build your tan layer by layer, beginning with a lighter shade. If you have fair skin, choose a sunless tanner that is for fair skin, medium choose a product that is for light to medium, or medium to tan, depending where you feel you fall on that scale, and so on. Otherwise, you may end up some odd shade of orange.
3. Prepare Your Skin To Accept The Product Evenly: Pick up a good, gentle body scrub if you don't already have one. I also use a loofah sponge, but a wash cloth or other body sponge is fine. If your not sure what kind of scrub to use, go to my store for some ideas. I show many there, and again these are all products that I have actually tried and recommend. In a warm shower, after shaving your legs and such, use the exfoliater by GENTLY scrubbing in a circular motion over your whole body. If you choose one of the products I have recommended, then they should be gentle enough for your face as well. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to use a separate product for your face.
TIP: I have found that applying a body moisturizer to the knees, elbows, and ankles keep those areas from getting too dark and getting that "dirty look" that sunless tanners usually leave on these areas. Also, apply moisturizer to the palms of your hands, knuckles, and in between your fingers. This helps prevent getting stained hands.
4. Applying Self Tanner: Once you have exfoliated and moisturized your skin (if you chose to do so), the next step is to apply your self-tanning product. I always do this before going to bed. Regardless of what the back of the bottle says, it's best to allow color to develop over night. I have notice with nearly every product I have used, that the color continues to intensify long after the time frame stated on the packaging. That being said, for the best results set aside a little time to apply the product properly plus at least 8 hours to develop the tan. I usually start at my feet and work upward taking my time to apply as evenly as possible. I normally have my daughter do my back. Once I have done my entire body, I immediately do a second coat. This helps to ensure that no spots are missed, however I avoid ankles, knees, and elbows on the second application. I also only do a second application on the parts of my face that are naturally more "kissed" by the sun, such as cheeks, nose, and forehead. AVOID the upper and lower eye lids. All of these things go a long way to help make your tan look like it is from the sun.
5. The Finishing Touches and Extending Your Tan: Once the color has fully developed your going to look in the mirror and see one of three things:
1.) The perfect sun kissed glow you were looking for.
Unlikely at this stage, but it could happen. If this is the case, shower and DON'T scrub your skin. Just soap up with a mild soap, rinse, and pat dry (don't rub) with a towel. Now you should begin using a daily moisturizer that contains a gradual self-tanner. There are many good ones on the market, but again, my favorite is Jergen's Natural Glow.
2.) Good Color, but not dark enough and/or some streaks and blotchy spots.
This is probably the most likely outcome if you chose a good product in the right shade for your skin tone. Now you are ready for a second application to even out and darken the shad a bit. At this point, repeat steps 3 and 4, but this time DON'T use the scrub on your whole body. Only use it carefully only on any dark streaks, or areas where the the tanner is too dark like toes, knees, etc. Once your second application is complete and fully developed, shower again, this time only use a mild soap and NO scrubbing. Begin using a daily moisturizer with a gradual self-tanner immediately. This will continue to even out your tan, keep your skin healthy and moisturized, and extend your tan saving you time and money because you will require less regular applications of your more advanced tanning product.
3.) Uh Oh! Oops! Something has gone terribly wrong.
You are orange or some odd color and you look ridiculous! Wait.. take a shower and use a mild soap to get rid of that residue some products leave behind before you do any rash. If you shower, moisturize, and let the color settle for a while, you may just find yourself pleased with the results after all. If not, it's likely that you have either chosen a poor quality product or you chose a shade too deep for your skin tone... or both. Don't panic. Read this: Removing Self Tanners & How To Fix Tanning Disasters
