Self Tanning Tips

I like myself better tan. I think bronzed, sun-kissed skin can boost my confidence even on my worst days, but it’s not always warm and sunny here in Kentucky and your girl isn’t living on island time just yet. So, to keep my skin looking it’s beach-ready best I like to apply self-tanners throughout the cold weather months. Applying self-tanner can be tricky and after my fair share of questionable artificial tans, I’ve learned a trick or two.

My trusted go-to self-tanner is Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam. This formula is easy to apply and leaves your skin with a golden sun-kissed glow. Not too dark and not too light. I love this self-tanner so much I haven’t strayed in nearly a decade that I’ve self tanned. I have tried multiple self-tanning products from Bondi Sands and I have to say, I love them all. Of all the self-tanners I have tried I have found Bondi Sands to have the best scent and it’s easiest to apply. I’ve never had an issue with streaking or blotches when using their products. (Not a sponsor, lol). I just recently tried the aerated formula in ultra-dark and it’s now my new favorite. It dries quickly and doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky immediately after application. As I mentioned before this tanner is very easy to apply, but if this is your first time experimenting with self-tanners my advice is to start with the foam formula since it isn’t as quick to dry it will be easier to apply. Which brings me to another point, application. When I apply self-tanner I always, always, always use a self-tanning mitt. Things can get messy otherwise.

I typically apply my self-tanner at night, because it needs to develop for at least six hours on your skin before you shower. AKA no water on your skin, period. After application sometimes self-tanners can be sticky and transfer to your clothing, so it’s best to plan to tan on a slow day or better yet when you’re sleeping. So, let me tell you about my process.

As I mentioned before I prefer self-tanning at night. Those first six hours can make or break your results, so I like to play it safe and just sleep while I bake. So, the morning of the day I will be self-tanning I like to exfoliate my skin with my favorite body scrub, shave and moisturize. I prefer to do this step the morning of because my legs are very sensitive and I have to apply my daily moisturizer to avoid razor burn after shaving which is a big no-no before applying self-tanner. Also, self-tanning over razor burn is a terrible decision, just trust me. So, before bed I’ll shower my body off to clean my skin and remove any moisturizer, then I’m ready to tan. I apply a generous amount to my self-tanning mitt and then cover my skin with my tanning mitt in small circular motions. I start with my legs, working my way down from my thighs being careful not to directly apply to my knees, ankles, or feet. I then use the leftover residue to lightly cover my knees ankles and feet. I follow these same steps for my entire body, again avoiding directly applying product to my elbows and hands. I will also use the clean side of my tanning mitt to blend the product or remove any excess from my hands and feet. When I apply tanner to my hands I like to make a fist so I can evenly coat my knuckles, same concept with my knees I always apply with my knee bent. Also, as I mentioned in my Instagram stories earlier this week I tried something new to help blend the self-tanner on my hands and feet. I just took a dry rag and lightly rubbed my hands focusing on the outer parts of each hand and in between my fingers. My goal was to create an ombre effect with the tanner. I was really impressed with the results. I woke up with a good gradual tan on my hands that blended well. As a final precaution, I will use a makeup wipe to rub in between my palms to remove any self-tanner that may have transferred, because orange palms aren’t cute. After I have finished applying I like to let my skin dry for about ten minutes, then I put on some loose-fitting pajamas and get some zzz’s. The following morning I shower off, apply some lotion and my skin has the perfect sun-kissed glow.

My tan will typically last about a week before I need to reapply. At that point, I exfoliate to remove the remainder of last week’s tanner. If I notice there’s still some leftover residue too stubborn for my exfoliator I will use my Bondi Sands self-tanner eraser to remove the rest.

I hope you all found this post helpful.

Much love.

kp