Six Of The Biggest Fake Tan Faux Pas To Avoid!

It’s hard to fathom, but we are only a couple of days away from Spring! And that means one thing – the wearing of dresses (and the exposure of bare limbs) is just around the corner. Fake tan time.

The pursuit of the perfect fake tan is an ongoing quest for many beauties come spring, however achieving the ultimate faux glow requires a little know how and expert application to ensure your bronzed bod looks flawlessly natural.

This week we chatted to Silvia Augello,Training Educator for Australian tanning company BonzaBronz, on the biggest fake tan faux pas that many of us didn’t know we were making.

Doutzen Kroes wears a (fake) tan soooo well…. As seen in Vogue China

Get those legs ready! BWA CHATS TO: GEOFF MAHANAY, FOR SCHICK HYDRO SILK

PRE-APPLICATION 

Faux Pas #1: Failure to prep 

Like anything we want to excel at in life, preparation is the key to success and when it comes to tanning, correct preparation of the skin before application will ensure your tan is an even and streak free tan. 

Important prep steps include full body exfoliation and/or shaving the day prior to your tan, completely removing makeup, moisturizers, deodorants and perfumes on the day of application.

Faux Pas #2: Not hydrating thirsty skin

Thirsty skin is dehydrated skin, and dehydrated skin will result in a patchy uneven tan. Dehydrated skin will rapidly soak up tanning lotions, causing darker patches of skin in the less hydrated areas. So to avoid an uneven finish, moisturize well in the DAYS prior to your tan application.

APPLICATION

Faux Pas #3: Incorrect product selection or spray tan shade

Faux tanning is no longer a one product or shade fits all beauty ritual. With a wide range of self-tanning and spray tan formulas available, choosing the right products or service for individual skin tones, occasions or seasons is the key foundation to a flawless fake tan. 

For best results always seek professional recommendations from your tanning technician.

Faux Pas #4: Missing hard to reach areas

Here in lies the beauty of spray tans, someone else will ensure hard to reach areas are perfectly bronzed. When applying self-tanning lotion at home these areas often prove a little more tricky, ignoring them however leads to an uneven looking fakie, so best to get a friend or partner to help with areas such as the middle and upper back. 

Faux Pas #5: Going too dark on no glow zones – The face, hands, knees and feet

To ensure your tan looks 100% natural, it is important to go a shade lighter on your no glow zones; face, hands, knees and feet. These are the areas that naturally remain lighter in shade when the skin tans, so going only one shade darker than your natural skin tone in these areas will help your tan appear more natural looking.

“This is a common mistake we see in people applying tanning lotion at home” says BonzaBronz’s Silvia Augello. “Over tanning in these areas is a tell tale sign your tan isn’t real.”

Mistake #6: Impatient processing

With so many tanning products and solutions available on the market it is important to read the label or ask your therapist about processing times, to ensure you leave your lotion on the required length of time for it to complete optimal processing.

Early wash off may results in the finished shade being too light and having to begin your tanning process again from scratch. Just be patient and let the product do its magic and create a magnificent tan.

You may also want to check out: THE TOP FIVE BIGGEST BEAUTY NO-NO’S

What are your tricks and tips for achieving a perfect summer glow? Let us know in the comments below and earn BWA Dollars to spend on rewards for doing so!