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How to Apply Fake Tan Like a Pro

By Carly Cochrane - 3 years ago | Updated
tanned legs


So, you’ve got your bottle of fake tan and you’re ready to lay down a bronzing that would fool anyone into thinking you’ve spent two weeks sunning in the Bahamas – great!

But, what if we were to tell you that the secret to an undetectable golden glow lies in the application? Yep, unfortunately, self-tanning isn’t just a slap-on-and-go job – there’s method to the madness, especially if you want a blotch-free tan that actually sticks around.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling to find out to how to apply fake tan like a pro.


1. Scrub up

Ask any expert what the first step of your tanning routine should be and they’ll tell you ‘exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate’.

Scrubbing away dead skin cells allows you to create a clean and smooth canvas for the tan to be applied to. The result? An even colour that’s bursting with radiance.

We suggest using a body scrub, working in circular motions and paying extra attention to areas such as the knees, elbows and neck. You can even use exfoliating gloves for better results.

ELEMIS Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow 490g

ELEMIS Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow

£25.20 £49.00 (49% off)
Skinny Tan Exfoliating Mitt

Skinny Tan Exfoliating Mitt

£5.99


2. Moisturise

Moisturising is one of the most important pre-tan steps. It creates a barrier between dry areas, making streaks and orange patches a thing of the past.

Any light moisturiser will do the trick, but tan primers usually work best. Areas you're going to want to cover are: elbows, knees, knuckles, between the fingers, inner wrists, ankles and toes.

Bondi Sands Body Moisturiser 200ml

Bondi Sands Body Moisturiser

£5.49 £5.99 (9% off)
Sienna X Secret Tan Primer

Sienna X Secret Tan Primer

£5.55 £9.00 (39% off)


3. A tanning mitt is a must

Applying tan with bare hands is a disaster waiting to happen. Get yourself a tanning mitt and never look back. Not only do they prevent you from ending up with orange palms, but they help to evenly distribute product, leaving you with a streak-free tan.

Apply your self-tan to the mitt and then sweep it over your body. Don't forget to rinse it out when finished!

Bondi Sands Reusable Self Tan Application Mitt

Bondi Sands Reusable Self Tan Application Mitt

£4.33 £5.50 (22% off)
St Tropez Self Tan Dual Sided Tanning Mitt

St Tropez Self Tan Dual Sided Tanning Mitt

£6.64
Isle of Paradise Shape & Glow Big Blending Brush

Isle of Paradise Shape & Glow Big Blending Brush

£14.12
ICONIC London Tan & Buff Brush

ICONIC London Tan & Buff Brush

£21.24


4. Don't forget to tan your back...

Our back is a hard to reach area that often tests our acrobatic skills. We know how easy it is to miss spots (or forget about it altogether), but if you’re solo-tanning then try flipping the tanning mitt so that the application side is on the back of your hand. This way you gain more flexibility and can reach every nook and cranny.

Alternatively, you can give these handy dual application mitts a go.

Bellamianta Luxury Back Applicator

Bellamianta Luxury Back Applicator

£10.85 £12.35 (13% off)
Vita Liberata Dual Sided Luxury Velvet Tanning Mitt

Vita Liberata Dual Sided Luxury Velvet Tanning Mitt

£4.80 £5.27 (9% off)


5. ... and your face

Whilst fake tanning your face is completely optional, it’s always good to know the do’s and don’ts.

If you do want to give your skin a sun-kissed glow, try out a formula that’s been specially developed for your complexion – you’re less likely to break out and your tan will look much more natural.

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops Dark

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops

£22.08
SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Wonder Water Self Tanning Face Mist Fragrance Free Light-Medium

SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Wonder Water Self Tanning Face Mist Fragrance Free

£8.97 £10.95 (19% off)
TAN-LUXE The Face Illuminating Self Tan Drops Full-Size: Light/Medium

TAN-LUXE The Face Illuminating Self Tan Drops

£33.47 £38.05 (13% off)
Vita Liberata Beauty Blur Face With Tan Light

Vita Liberata Beauty Blur Face With Tan

£28.76 £32.70 (13% off)
Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Bronze Base Face Tan Medium-Dark

Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Bronze Base Face Tan

£17.78 £20.31 (13% off)


6. Wear loose-fitting clothes while it dries

Whether your tan needs one hour, four hours or the entire evening to develop, it’s essential that you wear loose clothing in the meantime. Tight, restrictive clothes will only rub away at your tan and make you sweat, ruining your chances of revealing a beautiful bronzing.


7. Moisturise (again)

So, your tan has developed, you’ve rinsed off the excess and revealed a gorgeous glow – wahey!

To keep your colour fresh, flawless and fade-proof, you're going to want to regularly hydrate skin with a lightweight moisturiser.

St Tropez Tan Optimiser Body Moisturiser

St Tropez Tan Optimiser Body Moisturiser

£7.60 £10.00 (24% off)
CeraVe Moisturising Cream 50ml Tube

CeraVe Moisturising Cream

£5.25 £6.00 (13% off)


8. Top up with a gradual tan

If you want to make the most of your newfound glow (or haven’t got the time to start the process all over again), then you might want to try occasionally topping up your colour with a gradual tanner or body bronzer.

They’re super quick, easy to apply and give your tan an extra lease of life – it’s a win, win.

Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk 100ml

Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

£4.72 £9.99 (53% off)
St Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion Light/Medium

St Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion

£19.42
Isle of Paradise Happy Tan Everyday Gradual Glow Lotion 200ml

Isle of Paradise Happy Tan Everyday Gradual Glow Lotion

£16.37
SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Glowing Steady Gradual Tan Light-Medium

SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Glowing Steady Gradual Tan

£14.31 £15.00 (5% off)
Bellamianta Gradual Tanning Moisturiser 200ml

Bellamianta Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

£15.56 £17.95 (14% off)


Whether you’re a beginner at bronzing or have been showcasing faux sun-kissed skin for years, these tips on how to apply fake tan will forever be useful.

Once you’ve mastered the application process, why not check out The Best Fake Tans for Your Face.

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Carly Cochrane

Written by Carly Cochrane

As the Senior Content Editor for Cosmetify, Carly is the go-to for all the latest (and greatest) beauty tips, tricks and trends. With over six years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins-and-outs when it comes to health, beauty and wellbeing. 

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