Tip Top Tanning - Final Edit

Tip Top Tanning

By Emma Blight

We all know that having sun-kissed skin makes us feel more wonderful, but how do you get the glow if you are stuck in the office all day. Tanning specialist Caroline Pellant gives us a few tips to achieving the perfect fake tan.

Is your tanning kit at the ready girls? No? Well here are the essentials when it comes to tanning. As well as the obvious bottle of fake tan, you should also stock up on exfoliator and moisturiser. After cleaning the skin, you should exfoliate.
“This will remove dead skin cells and help reduce the risk of streaks,” says Caroline.
Try Sally Hansen’s Pre-Tan Exfoliator for only £2.99

Moisturising will also help avoid those dreaded streaks.

“Moisturising is also essential to help provide a smooth base for the tan.” You should also pay particular attention to your hands, elbows, knees, feet and ankles. A tan enhancing moisturiser will boost your natural melanin and help give even more of a glow.

Caroline recommends Soglo moisturising pre-tan enhancer for £4.95 as part of your tanning regime as well as your daily skin care.

“Always apply tan with a tanning mitt,” says Caroline. “This way you won’t end up with orange hands and the coverage will be even without leaving excess on the skin.”
Famous Dave’s tanning mitt for £3.99 was our favourite.

So, we are all ready to go but have you decided which type of tan will work best for you? Caroline talks us through the different types of tanning products so you can make the best choice.

For first-time tanners, try a wash off instant tanner. It tans straight away, and if you have got it wrong, you can just wash it off and start again. It’s also great for a night out, if you want that one off glow. Try Rimmel’s Sun Shimmer wash off tan for £4.95.

Cream tanning products are the most common of all fake tans. They are the easiest to apply, although take a while to dry. Caroline’s advice is to apply before bed “to allow maximum time to dry without staining clothes.”
Our favourite is ‘Fake Bake Original’ at £25.50 for 170ml.

Gel tans leave a beautiful glistening finish and are also fab for first-time tanners as they have a wet look as you apply so you can see where you have already applied. Once again they are best applied before bed as they can take time to dry.
Caroline recommends L’Oreal Sublime Bronze gel for only £8.99.

Want to achieve the salon spray tan look at home? Well now you can. To create the same effect you can now buy air brush tans from all good beauty retailers. They can give a lighter overall effect but you will be less prone to streaks as long as you follow the application advice. Oh and be careful not to spray your mum’s carpet!
We love Makebelieve Airbrush Bronzer for £30.64.

Need to tan quickly and can’t wait for it to dry? Caroline suggests a mousse tanning product as they are the quickest to dry, although you need to be careful as once applied it is difficult to see where you have missed and where you haven’t until it is developed. Take your time to ensure even coverage.
Caroline's favourite mousse tanner is St Tropez Bronzing Mousse at £30.64

If you are just looking for a hint of sun-kissed sparkle then Caroline suggests using a tinted moisturiser. These moisturisers contain a small amount of fake to give your skin a nice glow while you are moisturising. They give a smooth soft finish and build a gradual tan but can leave a tacky finish just as a normal moisturiser, so make sure you allow time to dry properly.
Piz Buin’s tinted lotion for £12.26 was Caroline’s favourite.

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After finding your perfect product and achieving your glow it is important to maintain it to avoid patchy tan or uneven fades. Here is a list of Caroline’s top tips; 

·         Continue moisturising daily to keep the skin healthy and smooth

·         Light exfoliation every 2-3 days will help fade the tan evenly and keep skin smooth

·         Avoid chlorine or sitting in water for prolonged amounts of time, this will take your tan off and leave patches on the skin which can be difficult to cover.