Tips & Tricks
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Wipe When Done!
An easy way to soften or slow down the absorption of self-tanner on areas that tend to grab a lot of product such as the elbows, knees and heels is to use a dry wash cloth to gently buff the areas. It will pick up some of the excess self-tanner and prevent you from unsightly “tell–tale” signs that you got into a fight with your self-tanner and lost!
Keep Your Q-Tips Close!
Ever notice that spots like sun-spots, melasma or old acne scars get darker and more noticeable when you’ve slathered self-tanner over them? I have the solution! Once you apply self-tanner to the area, take a dry, clean Q-Tip and gently buff the area of excess product. This will minimize the appearance and create a more even tone.
A flawless tan is all about preparation…
Applying self-tanners to hydrated skin is just one key element to long lasting color. Once you exfoliate, use a water-based moisturizer to ensure that the skin is free to absorb all the tanning product. If you use an oil-based moisturizer before self-tanning, the oil can sit on the skin, creating a barrier that can cause self-tanners to streak! One quick way to tell if your moisturizer is water or oil based –> look at the first ingredient listed on the label. Chances are it’s water (Aqua) or possibly aloe vera, but steer clear if the first ingredient is an oil of any kind. Salt, sugar, and diatomaceous earth scrubs are an excellent way to exfoliate – just make sure they are not sitting in heavy oils and do not leave a residue on the skin. An easy way to make sure there is no residue is to wash your body after exfoliating with a body wash!
The Longer, the better…
Generally the longer you leave a self tanner to process, the darker the results. The DHA or variations of DHA need time to develop. Some products can take up to 12 hours to develop fully so I recommend that you use concentrated self tanners at night so it can do it work while you are sleeping. Water is self tanners nemesis, so stay away at all costs which means… no washing dishes, no working out, no showering for 8 – 12 hours, no dogs or cats licking your skin – you get the picture! Hey it’s your perfect excuse to take the night off, practice a little “OM” time while you beautify.
Maxi Pad Protectors!
Don’t think I have lost my marbles, but thin pantyliners make great underarm protectors in light colored shirts or blazers.
During the summer when I am sweating profusely but want to wear lighter colored clothing, I will cut pantyliners (Carefree or Maxi Pad) and attach them into the inside of my shirt. It’s an easy way to save on dry-cleaning costs with those nasty self-tanning sweat spots we sometimes get!
Ring Around The Toilet!
Regular Self-Tanner’s or Spray Tanner’s alike… Have you ever taken a close look at your toilet seat?!
Sad to say but my toilet seat develops a slight beige / tan color during my “processing hours”! You might want to check yours…! The guide color in most self tanners or spray tans can come off on your toilet seat so every now and then, take some 409 or any other bathroom cleaner and spray your toilet seat, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it down. This should prevent permanent staining with frequent use!! ; ) Go ahead, check… you may not notice until you do a wipe over but your guest might! Yes this is a soon to be published funny story as well, I just need to get up the courage 
Gloves are your best friends!
Successful tanning 101 – USE GLOVES to apply your self tanner! Self tanners do not have the ability to not tan your palms when you apply with your bare hands! (Scientists are working on a self tanner with a brain but until then USE GLOVES!) The tighter the gloves the better as lose gloves can cause creasing and streaking on the body. They should be like second skin!
After you have applied your self tanner to your desired area, remove your gloves and very carefully with slow running water either rinse your hands to get the powder residue off or take a moist towel and wipe your hands, then apply a dollop of self tanner to the tops of your hands and rub them together feathering onto your fingers and in between the webs of your fingers. That way you wont have stark white hands or brown tell-tell brown palms!
Need to start over?
There are times when you need to just start over with your tan. Nothing is worse that old self tanner that has exfoliated off in one area but dark as ever in another. That is when it’s time to sit in a bath and just soak it off. Think of it this way… What is the best way to remove burnt rice off of a pan? Soak it with water! That is exactly what you should do with your tan! So light some candles, bring your exfoliating gloves, put in some bubble bath, pretend you are Julia Roberts in a penthouse bathtub and say aaahhhh.
After about 20 minutes, take some body polish or body scrub, apply to your gloves and scrub away. Your tan will remove easily and you have a fresh slate for the next application!!
Foot file for tough areas.
Got a really stubborn self tan area that is way too dark? Take the finer side of your foot filer and gently rub it over the areas that you are trying to lighten while in the show. Areas around the feet are often “whoops” areas so try a little deeper exfoliation with the file to lighten. My favorite foot file – the Swedish Foot File! PLEASE PEOPLE – ONLY USE THE FINE SIDE AND DON’T SCRUB TOO HARD!
Do a little mixin’!
If you ever get home and feel that your self tanning lotion is too dark and too intimidating try mixing it with a regular body lotion. It will dilute the guide color, spread a little easier if it is really thick, allow you more time to work in the product before it dries so you can end up with a flawless finish. Then as you continue to practice using self tanner, use less and less body moisturizer and you will become a tanning pro in no time learning what is easier for you as you go.
Protect all dry areas FIRST!
Before applying any self- tanner it is best to use a little body moisturizer on areas such as the hands, elbows, knees and heels. These areas tend to have lots of creases and folds and are dryer than the Sahara Desert! By doing this you allow the moisturizer to grab first not the self tanner so it looks more even and help you blend it into the areas so the tan looks more natural. There is nothing worse than dark, dark heels and knees!
Stay away from white clothes while you are processing
If you apply a self tanner that contains a guide color (the color you see and is the instant color that appears on your skin) do not wear light clothing. Some of the guide color will rub off and you don’t want to ruin your white leather or PVC bodysuit like Denise Richards– right?!? ; ) Once the self tanner has processed and you have showered, then go ahead and wear anything white that can be washed or dry cleaned easily. Just remember keep it dark and loose when processing! Some other fabrics that don’t fare well with self tanner are light colored cashmere, silk, suede and leather.
Seeing dry cracking on your legs or arms?
There are certain self tanning products that tend to be more drying than others. Spray tans and spray self-tanners tend to have a higher alcohol content (so the spray product dries faster after you have been hosed down and it allows the product to spray through the can or machine more efficiently). This can sometimes lead to cracking on the skin, especially if you do not moisturizer enough. Try gently exfoliating 4 or 5 days later to help prevent “alligator’ish” from being so apparent.
Invest in a great pair of exfoliating gloves!
One of my most prized possessions are my body exfoliating gloves. They are a very necessary item if you are going to be a successful self-tanning queen / king! Paired with a yummy, scrubby, body polisher such as Antidote Skin Care’s – Go Slough Yourself you can get old self tanner off in no time, plus your skin always looks amazing right after exfoliating. I am also a HUGE, MASSIVE fan of the Dermalogica body exfoliating sheet which you can use on the hard to reach places such as your back!
Self Tanning PJ’s!
OK so I am a little over the top but I love my self-tanning PJ’s!! My man always knows he is going to get the “Sorry honey, not tonight… I’m self-tanning” when he sees me in these! Dark colored PJ’s help protect the bed sheets on the nights that the self-tanner is processing by preventing the guide color from rubbing off directly on to the sheets. This prolongs the need to change the bed sheets so often!
OxiClean is my best friend!
This is one company that I wish I had stock in – yes I am talking about your company Mr. Billy Mays!! OxiClean ROCKS and is my trusty secret weapon! It has helped save so many of my white t-shirts and light colored dress shirts! I toss a scoop or 3 into all my white loads and WHAM – like magic all my clothes are bright again. Any hint of self tanner or yellowing of my clothes is gone in a flash! So my advice to you fellow self tanners… RUN, don’t walk to your nearest grocery store and stock up on OxiClean – Trust me… your clothes and your friends will thank you!
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