I know we are all pretty disappointed about the lack of a real spring break this year. But the Gutz house is making the most of it this year and bringing the vacation to our home! Step one for me is getting my glow on with a little fake tan.
I have been using sunless tanner now for about two years, and don’t know why it took me so long to jump on board. It has come a long way from the orange days of the early 2000’s, trust me. I have had my fair share of mistakes and hiccups while I learned what works for me, my body, and the few extra creases my plus size body brings to the fake tan table.
I’m going to take you step by step through my fake tan routine and share all of my FAQ’s down at the bottom. No question will go unanswered!
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MY FAKE TAN ESSENTIALS
Here is what I need to get my glow on and make my fake tan last at least a full week.
- RAZOR – Still loving the Billie razor, but just get those legs silky smooth.
- EXFOLIATOR – You can use a scrub, loofa, or these really cool exfoliator cloths I found at Target. They are only $2.00 and get off ALL the dead skin.
- MOISTURIZER – My favorite body cream of the year! I just keep buying the big tub. It lasts me a few months with regular use.
- SELF TANNER – I have linked both my favorite tanners, one a very budget friendly option, and the other a pricier choice but with no fake tan smell lingering for days.
- POWDER BRUSH – I use this to apply my fake tan to my hands, neck and feet.
- BODY POWDER – I swear by the MegaBabe Body Dust, but any kind of body powder will work!
THE ROUTINE – STEP BY STEP
- GET THOSE LIMBS SILKY SMOOTH – Exfoliate and shave! I like to do this the night before, but you could apply your fake tan right out of the shower, too. I find that by giving my pores a chance to close fully, I am less likely to end up with those dark spots from product in hair follicles that are a fake tan giveaway.
- MOISTURIZE – Most people recommend only moisturizing your dry patches – hands, wrists, elbows, knees, and feet. I like to get my whole body hydrated. I find it helps my tan go on smoother and last a few days longer before getting patchy.
- APPLY TANNER – Start from your legs up. Focus on applying the product in upward, circular motions to avoid streaks using a tanning mitt or glove. I usually skip my back, unless I have plans to wear a low back shirt or swimsuit. If I need to get the perfect glow all over, I enlist the help of my husband. It is easy, and even he can do it! NOTE – Skip applying tanner to hands, feet and neck. We will do that next with a brush!
- BRUSH THE REST – Pump a little tanner onto your mitt, and tap powder brush into the product, and lightly brush your feet, hands and neck. Avoid the palms of your hands and the bottoms of your feet, but be sure to work some product into the cracks and crevices if any wrinkles, like your knuckles. TIP – Be sure to brush around the back of your hairline and behind your ears to avoid any harsh lines when you have your hair up.
- SET IT AND FORGET IT – Now is when I like to add a little body powder to set any areas that might collect product. Those cracks and crevices, wrinkles or wedges that you don’t need any extra attention on! I tap a clean powder brush into a little setting powder (favorite linked above!) and set my hands, feet, wrists, inner elbows, backs of knees, and my neck and décolletage. It takes about ten minutes for tanner to fully dry.
TIPS AND FAQ’S
- Take your time. Don’t do this at 12:00 am when you are exhausted or in the morning before needing to rush out the door. Don’t ask me how I know this, but let’s just agree the results probably won’t be flawless.
- Wear loose, dark clothing. I have been using the above fake tans for a long time, and have never had any issues with transfers. But if it is hot, you get a little sweaty, or even if it is a little extra humid, you run the risk of getting some color transfer on your clothing or sheets. I usually do my fake tan over night, and wear a pair of loose PJ bottoms and a dark colored T-shirt and am transfer free!
- Don’t fear the color guide. Many self tanners have a color guide, meaning they are tinted as you apply. The color is not going to be what you look like at the end of development. Sometimes, you will see streaks in the guide. Don’t worry so much about that. Just concentrate on making sure to cover everything and rub into skin evenly. My guide is usually a little wonky, but my tan is on point.
- If you are worried about your color coming out too strong, you can always wash it off sooner rather than later. If going for an express tanner, start with just an hour or two. Or, if you are trying an eight hour tan, just leave it on for half the time and see where it gets you! You can always reapply!
- Stay moisturized. This is going to help your tan fade evenly and last so much longer than if you let your skin dry out.
- Worried about foundation? Bring your fake tan all the way up to your jaw line and match your foundation to your neck. I usually have a few shades of foundation for when I am tanned and when I am rocking the English Rose look.
- Attention to detail usually gives the best results. Don’t skip your hands, behind your ears, around your hair lined or your underarms. Give everything a good solid application for the most believable sunless tan.
- And if you screw up, who cares? No one is going anywhere any time soon, thanks to COVID 19. But if you do, there is a great product that actually helps to remove the sunless tan left behind! Check it out here.
