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Fake a Tan with Self Tanner

By Tiffany Moore

Fake tan can make you look stunning. It evens out blotchy facial complexion, magically trims pounds off your whole body, and let you get away with trendy summer colors such as fuchsia and turquoise. If you apply fake tan well, you'll glow naturally as if you've been sun-kissed for hours.

To avoid streaks or patches when you apply self tanner, you should buy a reputable brand of fake tan.

St Tropez is most favored by the glamorous Hollywood celebs. You can also try these other affordable options – L'Oreal Bronze Sublime, Ambre Solaire Duo-Tan and Boots No.7 Self-Tan – all of them contain tints that enable you to see where you've applied the self tanner and where you need to touch up.

If you've a natural slightly dark complexion, choose a medium/dark color rather than a light/medium, which will have no effect. Light/medium color is suitable for Nordic and Celtic types.

How to Apply Fake Tan or Self Tanner

1. The night before you apply fake tan, prepare your skin by exfoliating to remove dead skin cells. Pay extra attention to dry areas such as knees, ankles and elbows.

The DHA in self tanners reacts with amino acids in dead skin cells. Any exfoliation that occurs after applying fake tan will cause the tan to fade more quickly.

Also, if you've rough, dry skin, the tan will come out darker in those areas and create a blotchy tone. On top of that, also make sure you moisturize your skin well. Otherwise, you'll get an uneven tan.

2. Apply fake tan to clean, dry skin in gentle sweeping movements with flat hands. Be sure not to miss any bits out (neck and the undersides of your feet).

When you reach problem areas such as your eyebrows, hairline, heels and elbows, apply the self tan product with a lightly-dampened piece of cotton wool. Be careful with tricky areas like the elbows and knees.

Apply fake tan in a good light, use a mirror so you can check and blend your application, and take your time.

3. After application, wait for 10 minutes before you put on your clothes, to avoid staining them or streaking the tan. Wear a loose dressing gown or an old, baggy T-shirt.

4. Leave fake tan to develop for a few hours and give your hands a really good wash immediately after applying. Take care to wash your nails, cuticles and in between your fingers.

Also, avoid contact with water or doing anything that makes you perspire.

5. Don't shave, wax or remove hair for 24 hours after you apply self tanner, or your skin could get irritated.

6. Streaks and patches after application? Not to worry, self tanning correction wipes are now available to use within 5 hours of application.

7. The result only last an average of 4-6 days, and a touch-up application is needed as your skin exfoliates naturally.

Don't forget to moisturize and exfoliate first to avoid patchy color when touching up.

Remember, fake tan does not provide protection against UVA or UVB rays unless the self tanning product specifically states that it contains sun protection. So wear your sunscreen everyday.

Learning how to apply fake tan requires practice and patience. It is really worth the effort if you want that sun-kissed glow without the sun damage.

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