STYLE

Fact: The color you get from a tan is literally sun damage. (When exposed to UV radiation, your skin increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect itself from further harm.) So the only safe way to stay sunkissed? Bronze from a bottle, bb. Our foolproof techniques—and these fine-tuned formulas—guarantee a gorgeous glow every time.

Get Your Skin In Shape
"An amazing tan starts with prepping the skin so the product can go on smoothly and evenly," says Jules Von Hep, founder of self-tanning brand Isle of Paradise. Exfoliate with a body polish (like Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Scrub, $15, ulta.com), and do any hair removal at least 24 hours before you want to bronze. 

Find Your Formula
Unless you have super dry or sensitive skin, spray tan artist and St. Tropez ambassador Sophie Evans recommends a self-tanning mousse. "It dries fast and feels lightweight on the skin." (Extra sensitive? Try adding tanning drops to your daily moisturizer or lotion to get a gentler glow.) "Pick a mousse with a built-in bronzer or guide color," Evan advises. "You can easily see if you missed any spots."

Set The Stage
Humidity and sweat seriously mess with how self-tanner absorbs, so choose the right space to apply. (Hint: A steamy bathroom ain't it.) Next, make sure skin is clean and product-free, since perfume and deodorant interfere with how the color develops. Then, apply a little bit of oil-free lotion on any dry areas (think: hands, knees, ankles and elbows) as parched skin will soak up more of the formula, resulting in dreaded dark patches. 

@ana.stowell

Apply Right
Grab a tanning mitt (a must!) and dispense a golf-ball-sized dollop of mousse onto it. "You want to have enough that the product can glide over the skin effortlessly," says Evans. Using long, circular motions, work section by section (like ankle to knee), adding more product as you go. Use what's left over on your mitt for the backs of your hands and tops of your feet. Give yourself a few minutes to dry before you put on loose, dark clothing (to avoid stains), then stay away from water (and sweating) for the recommended time.

Fine-Tune Your Face
You can use the same self-tanner on your face—just be careful not to get any on your brows or hairline since the active ingredient can alter the color of hair, too. Daily face cleansing can cause your tan to fade quicker, so you'll need to reapply more often, Von Hep says. Your best bet? A moisturizer with self-tanner built in. 

Quick-Fix Trick
"We all make mistakes!" Von Hep reassures us. If your tan develops any streaks or patches, apply a glycolic acid-based product or dry brush to remove the tan.

Make It Last
The number one tip to keeping your glow going? Apply (and reapply) body lotion. It prolongs your tan and helps it fade more evenly. And we know we don't need to tell you this, but a fake tan isn't real sun protection. So use SPF on the daily. 

Build Your Bronze Toolkit

1. Tanning mitt. Save your hands *and* get a more even tan. Isle of Paradise Tanning Applicator Mitt ($7, theisleofparadise.com)

2. A face moisturizer with self-tanner. Pick a moisturizer that has a tanning formula built in so you can boost your bronze on the daily. Bali Body Gradual Face Tan ($33, us.balibodyco.com)

3. A body bronzer with guide color, fast-acting formula, no weird smell and a golden glow. Check, check, check and check! St. Tropez Self-Tan Express Bronzing Mousse ($44, ulta.com)

4. Self-tan eraser. Gently remove any mishaps. Tan-Luxe Glyco Water Self-Tan Eraser ($35, sephora.com)

5. A formula for dry skin days. You can get a hefty dose of moisturizer plus a terrific tan. Lux Unfiltered N°32 Hydrating Self-Tanning Cream ($34, luxunfiltered.com)

6. Tanning drops. Mix with your lotions for a gradual glow. Tanologist Face + Body Drops ($20, revolve.com)

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our June/July 2023 issue.
Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Slider image: @gracetaylorr19
Header image: @hanna_noellee

by Lisa Desantis | 6/10/2023