Hey lovelies! I’m touching on one of my very favorite topics today and one of my personal beauty obsessions: how to get tan year-round.
I grew up by the beach, so from May to September you can bet I had a tan. I’m still obsessed with keeping a bronze glow and extending the life of my tan as much as possible throughout the year.
To be honest, I sometimes still use a tanning bed to get tan fast. But I’m trying to phase myself out of it and stick to much safer sunless tanning. After all, tanning beds are really not good for your skin at all.
I figured I would share some of those tips to get tan that are safe and sunless with you today. Enjoy!
How to Get a Goddess Tan in 5 Steps
Step One: Exfoliate!
I cannot stress enough how important exfoliating is before you apply a tan of any kind. It keeps your tan application looking smooth and even – if you don’t exfoliate properly your knees and elbows will look patchy and strange.
Be sure to thoroughly exfoliate your body, paying special attention to knees, elbows and other extra dry skin. I use this exfoliating mitt and skinfix Resurface Scrub to get smooth, soft skin.
Step Two: Remove Hair
Body hair can also make your tan look uneven or apply patchily, so it helps to remove your unwanted body hair before application. I wax 24-48 hours before applying a self-tanner.
If shaving is more your speed, make sure you finish up with the razor at least 12 hours before you apply your tan.
Step Three: Prep Your Skin with Tanning Primer
A good tanning primer will keep your tan even and lasting longer than it normally would. The Isle of Paradise tan priming spray I use gives me about three extra days of color than if I hadn’t used it.
Plus, it’s packed with vitamins that hydrate, nourish and brighten your skin. It’s a lifesaver!
Step Four: Choose Your Tanning Product
Next step: choosing the tanning product you’ll use. There are many different kinds and consistencies, from drops, sprays, lotions, and mousses.
I prefer this tanning face serum from St. Tropez that’s gentle enough for my face, packed with vitamins and rich color that develops over a few hours.
I use the Water Body Mist from the same line to apply to my whole body! Always use different tanning products on your face and your body if you can – most lotions and body tanners are way too heavy for the face and might clog your pores.
Another thing: always apply with a tanning mitt for the most even application possible.
Step Five: Moisturize Your Tan
Applying moisturizer after your tan develops is important so that your skin stays smooth, silky and doesn’t fade into patches.
I use a thick, luxurious body cream that delivers intense moisturization from First Aid Beauty.
And that’s how you get and keep a goddess tan all year long!
