Top tips for fake tan

If you’re a novice or have naturally pale skin, it’s always much safer to start by choosing a light – or at most, medium – golden brown colour. Before going crazy, remember you can always re-apply later if you want a deeper tan.

Today, there are a few great budget options, ranging from around $7 for a bargain buy up to $50 for a designer option. Although when it comes to fake tans, more expense doesn’t necessarily mean more effective – so experiment to find the right solution for you.

Choose between mousses and creams (the easiest choice for novices), sprays and gels, or even beauty salon tanning booths where you’ll be sprayed with a fine mist. Expect to pay around $30 (package deals are cheaper). You’ll get a deeper tan, so don’t “go darker” than you usually would, trying to get your money’s worth.

So, how long does it last? The upper layer of your skin is dyed a slightly darker colour, and this will fade between three to seven days later. Want the “just been to Noosa” effect to last longer? Re-apply post-shower after a few days to boost the colour.

YOUR FAUX TAN PLAN

Remove unwanted hair with wax or cream a day before applying fake tan to allow the affected area to recover. Shaving? Moisturise the area before applying fake tan.

Do a pre-scrub, dry-skin body brush, or exfoliate while in the shower with a gritty sugar scrub to eradicate flaky skin. Always moisturise post-shower before applying fake tan (even if you’re using a fake tan cream). It’ll help ensure a more natural, no-streak look. Otherwise the fake tan will tend to show up darker on drier areas of your skin.

Finish the job in one sitting by rubbing the fake tan in with circular motions. Worried? Enlist a friend to help ensure you’re well covered. And as long as you thoroughly wash your hands afterwards with soapy water, you shouldn’t need to use plastic gloves.

TIP: Although having a fake tan is the safe skin option, remember it won’t protect your skin from the sun’s UV radiation, so always apply sunscreen.