How-to: perfect your fake tan

The sun is out and it’s finally starting to look a bit more like summer, but unfortunately your skin hasn’t gotten the memo.

So while everybody else is flaunting their pins in shorts, you’re sitting inside waiting for your fake tan to develop. And for some, this soon leads to vigorous scrubbing to get rid of orange patches and covering up streaks with bronzer.

But self-tanning doesn’t have to be such hard work. In fact, if you follow these simple application and maintenance tips, your tan will not only look better, but also last longer. Winning!

TANNING TIP #1 – Don’t shave

To create a flawless tan, you need to start with a smooth canvas – so hair removal is a must. For a longer-lasting tan, ditch shaving and opt to wax or apply a depilatory cream (bh recommends: Andrea Extra Strength Hair Remover For the Body). The results of shaving only stick around for a few days, so you’ll soon end up shaving off a layer of colour.

TANNING TIP #2 – Exfoliate

Once you’re hair-free, exfoliate skin using an exfoliating glove, or use an exfoliating gel in the shower the night before you’re planning to tan. This is to ensure there are no dead skin cells or dry spots for the tan to cling on to and create those dreaded orange patches. bh recommends: BABOR SPA Energizing Lime Mandarin Invigorating Peeling Gel – it’s the perfect partner for your loofah and will leave skin super smooth and prepped for tanning.

TANNING TIP #3 – Apply in sections

What’s worse than orange patches? White patches. Or finger marks from where you obviously became distracted and moved onto the next spot without a second thought. To make sure you don’t miss any spots, apply your tan section by section. If you still manage to neglect areas, choose a tan that shows up as you apply it, such as St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse.

TANNING TIP #4 – Make it last

Now that you’ve gone to all that effort, I’m sure you want your tan to last for more than a few days. No problem. To maintain it, apply a gradual tanning moisturiser every second day. This will keep the colour even, but won’t darken it too much – in other words, it’s the perfect way to eventually fade out a tan. And if you need just a little more time before going through the tanning process again, an instant body bronzer such as Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel SPF15 will deliver instant colour for those spur-of-the-moment events.

What’s the biggest tanning mistake you’ve ever made? What’s your favourite way to tan?

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65 Member Comments

talk-a-lot 26 Apr 2020 9:43 PM

I think the biggest tanning mistake I have made is applying to much sunless tanner to knees and ankles, I have since learnt.

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Margi59 8 Oct 2019 2:40 PM

Great article on some amazing Tips and Tricks to make a tan last much longer.

Emma171 15 Oct 2016 10:10 PM

Great tips

Janabanana 30 Aug 2016 3:42 PM

i need to exfoliate gradually and give my skin breaks between tanning

emilykp 5 Jul 2016 1:03 AM

Yes I think #2 is most important. You must exfoliate well before tanning to make the application much easier and so it goes on nice and smoothly. I've had fake tan disasters from not exfoliating at all thinking it would be ok or not exfoliating well enough, I've learnt my lesson!

JustACurlyGirl 4 Jul 2016 1:24 PM

I generally shave before applying self tanner, but this advice makes sense.. maybe I'll invest in a hair remover cream, although they smell really really bad from past experience..

Shop A Everyday 8 Nov 2015 10:32 PM

Great advice

TheUglyDuckling 1 Jul 2015 7:23 PM

I typically use my epilator and then shave, that way it lasts longer and I've also exfoliated my legs really well.

Sarah838 20 Jun 2015 8:57 PM

Gonna test this tips out I suck at fake tanning hahah

skitzkitty 19 May 2015 1:30 PM

I Definitley need that at Tropez mousse - I always get white patches!

Becstar 5 May 2015 11:52 AM

I used a dark tanning cream that went completely orange on my skin. I had to try to scrub it off. For a week I had an orange tinge about me. I use a spray tan normally on myself or go to a professional salon.

Mama Says 11 Mar 2015 12:53 AM

I've found Eco tan fairly decent. I like that I can put it on before bed and it won't come off on the sheets

annieleem 12 Dec 2014 3:27 AM

Lovely article!

Ssajwani 20 Nov 2014 6:37 AM

great tips

Shop A Everyday 19 Oct 2014 11:32 AM

Oh the babor body peel sounds wonderful

Iman 18 Oct 2014 1:00 PM

Orange patches and streaks are a definite no.

bmill229 16 Oct 2014 12:29 PM

Great tips for when I get my first tan.

Anitas Artistry 16 Oct 2014 5:43 AM

I don't tan, but I've heard an application mitt is useful.

Vi 16 Oct 2014 1:14 AM

Great tips. I don't apply fake tan often but when I do and it's not perfect then I get a bit frustrated.

TheUglyDuckling 15 Oct 2014 9:45 PM

Not shaving is a tough one, when you want to maintain the smooth skin look and you start getting that nasty regrowth! Shaving is just so convenient...

Elunia 15 Oct 2014 9:40 PM

Great tips, I have never used fake tan but you never know...

Petal 15 Oct 2014 3:21 PM

The biggest tanning mistake I ever made was as a teenager when I tried to get a tan like my friends. We all fried our skin in the sun. They got tans and I always got bright red and painfully sore skin. I eventually learned to accept my pale skin.

Bee1 15 Oct 2014 12:44 PM

Usually I embrace my pale skin and only get a professional tan done for special events but having won some fake tan I want to give it a go! I am super nervous about how the colour will turn out but these are some great tips!

Beautybabe140194 15 Oct 2014 8:37 AM

Great tips, I prep before a tan but prefer to get someone else to do it for me

Sweet<3 15 Oct 2014 6:50 AM

I have tried multiple brands (st tropes, Jbronze, etc etc) but my all time fav is Eco tan. The best in colour, smell, texture, contents - everything! The rules are same across the board - exfoliate and moisturize every day!

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