We all love a good golden tan (especially this time of year) but without the side of skin cancer, thank you very much. While I spent most of my childhood summers in the pool getting really brown (thank you California sun for the extra shoulder freckles) these days I prefer to get a golden glow from a bottle. So today I thought I would share a few tips I’ve picked up over the last couple years for getting a perfect tan as well as my favorite self-tanner and a recipe for my favorite pre-tan body scrub.
First off, a good, even tan starts with a good thorough exfoliating session beforehand. This means you need a great body scrub, and a good exfoliating sponge. I like to make my own body scrub using baking soda, coconut oil and essential oils.
To make, mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part coconut oil (melt the coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds first), and a few drops of essential oil (you can use lavender, lemon, tea tree, etc. See more about my favorite oils here.) Just mix it up and then rub the paste in a circular motion on your body using the sponge as well, really scrubbing to remove all the dead skin.
Second, you want to apply lotion to your knees, elbows, ankles, feet and the palms of your hands. This acts as a bit of a tanner block because those areas absorb the tanner more, they have a tendency to go much darker, this keeps that from happening.
Third, pick the right tanner. There are lots of good options out there, and I think it’s really important to pick a high quality self-tanner. This Express one from St. Tropez is my favorite because it’s a mousse so it goes on really nice and even, gets a nice deep tan, and you only have to leave it on for 3 hours. It also smells better than most self-tanners I’ve tried, which I really like.
Fourth, I use a mitt. It’s easier to apply it evenly with a mitt, and you are less likely to end up with self tanner all over the palms of your hand. I use this mitt, it’s only $6.50 and makes such a difference on how my tan goes on.
There you go! Easy peasy!
My tans usually last about a week to a week and a half depending on how well I exfoliate!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments!
Does the Express One St Tropez ever leave a residue on clothes or your sheets? I’ve had some trouble with this and have avoided self tanners for awhile because I don’t want to ruin my good clothes/sheets.
I haven’t had any problem with this one leaving residue, but I don’t wear it in bed and I wear old clothes until I wash it off. I ruined a previous set of sheet because of self tanner, so I don’t wear it to bed anymore.
I really wanted to start self-tanning this year, I love being tanned and even though I’m still gonna soak up as much sunlight as possible (I NEED my vitamin D!!!!) I’m still not gonna roast in the sun to get the tan I want so self-tanning seems perfect for me and I’ve been reading a bunch of these posts trying to find the perfect product (most mention St. Tropez like you did) and tips on how to apply it and I end up learning something new with every one. I’m definitely gonna check out that mitt, it’s the cheapest one I’ve seen anyone mention.
Thanks for the recommendation! Do you use something different to apply the tanner to your face, like a face brush or something? thanks!