They say there is no such thing as a healthy tan. That is, unless you fake it. Here are my 5 top tips to ensure your tan not only looks natural and streak-free but also ensures you get that healthy glow without causing damage to your skin.

Step 1. Exfoliate:

This is the first step in prepping your skin before applying your tan. Exfoliating will remove any dead skin cells and prevent a build-up of old tan on your skin causing various shades when applying a new layer of tan. Personally, I find exfoliating gloves and either a scrub or shower gel is the most effective and hassle-free way to do this. Be sure to pay close attention to areas such as elbows, knees, ankles and arm pits! 

Step 2. Moisturise:

Most people tend to moisturise their whole body prior to applying tan. Unless you have the time to let the moisturiser completely absorb into your skin try to avoid doing this as tan can be quite a greasy product and will sit on the surface of your skin. Apply moisturiser only to the areas you were concentrating on while exfoliating. This will ensure the tan absorbs into your skin more quickly, prevent it from transferring on to your clothes and save you time.  Win, Win! 

Step 3. Always use a tan mitt and a good tan:

Using a tan mitt it a must for natural looking tan. It guarantees a smooth even coverage and prevent build up. It will also help you cover some of those hard to reach areas! Trust me on this one, investing in a decent mitt will revolutionise the way you tan. 

Investing in a good tan that is durable will mean you apply tan less often, preventing build up and ultimately causing streaks. My personal favourite is St Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse. This tan never fails to last a full week on my skin and with busy lives who wants to have to tan more than once a week!? 

Step 4. Blend, blend, blend:

Your skin is prepped, you have your mitt and tan at the ready… Now it is time to apply your tan. If there is one thing you take away from reading this let it be… Blend, blend, blend again, and once you think you have blended enough, (you guessed it) blend again! Blending will encourage the product to distribute evenly over your skin and help it to be absorbed. The more you blend the less likely you are to have any streaks. 

Step 5. Use tinted moisturiser on your hands and feet:

We have all been there, the dreaded bright orange hand with two-tone fingers. It is a total giveaway that you may have improvised on your ‘natural’ tan (don’t worry, your secret is safe with me). The best way to avoid this is to use a tinted moisturiser such as the Dove Derma Spa Summer Revived tinted moisturiser on your hands and feet. It will keep a natural look on these tricky areas and won’t cause a thick build-up of the product. 

I hope these tips help next time you want that sun kissed look without causing damage to your skin or in the winter months when you need a bit of help with a healthy glow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hannah is a London based beauty and fashion blogger, keeping product reviews clear, concise and honest. Being a lover of anything beauty, Hannah endeavours to ensure people have upfront advice after many years of trialling and testing various products. Viewers can make an informed decision when deciding which products are best for them- Hannah has done the hard work so they don’t have to! Check out her Instagram here.