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The winter months are upon us but that doesn’t mean that you need to give up on your summer glow just yet. And we all know that sun tanning isn't the best for our skin, so why not give self-tanning a try?
The sunless tanning industry has made leaps and bounds since the first formulas came out - you can forget all about the dreaded orange glow or the toxic DHA smell that would seep through your pores.
We’ve rounded up our team’s best tips and tricks to achieving a flawless tan every time as well as a selection of Eco Tan and Three Warriors all-natural and organic self-tanners to try at home.
Preparation is Key!
Prepping for your tan is just as important as the faux tan application itself - without a good base to work with, you risk getting patchy results.
First things first, hair removal. You will want to make sure that you shave or wax at least a full day before you tan, as doing so afterwards could scrub off your self-tanner. It will also ensure that your self-tan doesn’t accumulate in your pores and clog up your hair follicles.
Secondly, you will want to exfoliate your whole body with a physical scrub, such as the Eco Tan Pink Himalayan Scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. Rough patches will make your tan look spotty so make sure that you pay special attention to dry areas of your body, such as your elbows, knees, feet and ankles.
Start by Moisturising
Using a rich moisturiser such as the Eco Tan Organic Coconut Body Milk, apply a thin layer of cream on your nail beds, knuckles, elbows, knees and heels; this will help prevent the formula from clinging to those dry areas, which is the ultimate tell-tale sign of a fake tan.
Getting Your Tan On
Grab Your Favourite Self Tanner
When it comes to fake tan we literally have hundreds of options at our fingertips. But it can quickly get confusing and a bit overwhelming. So how to choose your perfect self-tanner?
Us girls at Blue Bungalow tend to favour organic and natural formulas to avoid any nasty ingredients and chemicals. The Eco Tan range fits the bill; the founder actually created this line to support her sister after she was diagnosed with skin cancer.
Even better, all Eco Tan products are organic, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly! To keep your hair off your face, put on your Eco Tan Headband and you’re ready to get tanning!
But, how do you know which organic self-tanner is right for you?
For Fair Skin or First-Time Tanners - Eco Tan Winter Skin Gradual Tanning Moisturiser
Perfect for fair to medium skin tones, this is a gradual tanning moisturiser, which means that its colour is natural and buildable. Three Warriors Gradual Tan is a great introduction to self-tanning as it’s almost impossible to mess up; one application won’t give you a deep tan, just a soft golden caramel glow.
How do you use Eco Tan Winter Skin Gradual Tanning Moisturiser?
Like you would your favourite moisturiser! Just make sure that you rub a generous amount all over your body as the colour will develop after a few hours.
If you’re scared of fake tanning - this is the perfect product for you!
For a Quick Fix and a Medium-Dark Tan - Eco Tan Invisible Tan Lotion
When you need a quick fix to look alive, this lotion is your go-to!
How do you use Eco Tan Invisible Tan?
Swipe on a layer or two of the Invisible Tan lotion like you would your regular moisturiser, let it dry and apply a second coat before hopping into bed and waking up a bronzed goddess.
There is no colour guide so it’s totally invisible which means that you won’t ruin your favourite white linen sheets while it develops over the next 8 hours. It’s also super-nourishing, perfect to get rid of that sexy winter alligator skin - we like our crocodile print on a pair of cool and quirky pants! On our legs, not so much.
For a Dark, Long-Lasting Tan - Hempitan Body Tan Water
Yes, you read that right, tanning water. If you’re a bit restless like us and would prefer spending your time shopping rather than tanning, this was made for you.
How do you use Eco Tan Hempitan Body Tan Water?
Simply give the bottle a good shake, spray directly onto your skin and massage it in - you may want to do a double coat to go over any spot that you could have missed. The formula is super lightweight and dries almost instantly without leaving a sticky feeling or any visible colour on the skin, so it’s perfect to apply on the go. Simply wash it off after 1 hour and the tan will continue to develop over the next 24 hours, magic!
Your skin will be moisturised by the hemp seed extract and hyaluronic acid and the more you apply and the longer you leave it on, the more you’ll look like you just spent two weeks in Fiji rather than holed up at home watching The Crown.
The All-Rounder - Eco Tan Cacao Tanning Mousse
Grab an applicator mitt (we recommend the Eco Tan Double Sided Applicator Mitt), pump out a generous amount of Three Warriors Self Tan Mousse and apply all over your body using round, sweeping motions, starting at your ankles and making your way up.
Leave on your skin for 1-5 hours to achieve the desired level of tan before rinsing off in the shower.
Trust us, mousse formulas are a breeze to apply and will give even the most novice self-tanners a near-perfect glow.
For the Face - Eco Tan Face Tan Water
This product is the ultimate game changer!
You know those Instagram filters that make your skin look flawless? This is the real-life version.
This gradual tanning product will replace the toner in your skincare routine; its formula is non-comedogenic, which makes it perfect for acne-prone skin, and contains hyaluronic acid for its hydrating properties. It gives just enough of a tan to cover up pesky pigmentation, rosacea or broken capillaries.
How do you apply Eco Tan Face Water?
Shake out a few drops in the palm of your hands and pat it on to your face, neck and décolletage - repeat as needed every few days to maintain a healthy glow. You can put it on in the morning or at night, after cleansing and before your moisturiser.
This is perfect to match your face to the rest of your body if you tend to wear a hat or higher SPF and is especially great for acne-prone or sensitive skin, as you want to avoid using rich formulas or the same tanning mitt on your body and your face. So, should you fake tan your face? The answer is yes, with the right product!
If you’re only going to try one self-tanner in the Eco Tan range, we would make it this one; our team ditched their foundation after just a few applications.
How To Remove Fake Tan
Whether you’ve totally messed up your faux tan application (this is a judgment-free zone) or simply want to prep your skin for next week’s tanning session, use the Eco Tan Exfoliating Glove in the shower to gently scrub it off.
And if you have a case of the orange hands, try soaking them in warm water mixed with lemon juice before exfoliating with the glove. This may be a bit irritating but hey, sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures!
How long will your tan last?
Typically, your tan should last anywhere from 7 to 10 days - scrubbing it off after then should be fairly easy. Exfoliating too often could shorten the life of your tan but remember that you can always maintain it with a gradual self-tanner.
Friendly Tips From Our Self-Proclaimed Tanning Expert
- Use the leftover product on your mitt to tan your feet and hands. You can even use a kabuki brush to blend the formula into tricky spots such as your ankles and wrists for a flawless tan.
- Wondering how to self-tan your back? If you don’t have a husband or child on hand, pop your tanning mitt on a long-handled wooden spoon (yup, the one in your kitchen drawer) and fix it in place using an elastic band. Voila, a homemade self-tan back applicator! You clever lady, you!
- If you want to save yourself a cleanup (let’s be real, who doesn’t), put down a dark coloured towel and stand on it to apply your tan.
- Don’t forget to wash your hands after application and don’t go doing the dishes - you wouldn’t want a streaky tan.
- Sunless tanning is the perfect get out of gym free card: don’t exercise while your self-tanner is developing as sweat could cause an uneven tan.
- How long after applying fake tan can you put clothes on? Wait a good 10 minutes before getting dressed and, when you do, wear dark coloured clothes like our Freya Black Bamboo Batwing Dress.
- To make your tan last as long as possible, avoid moisturising or using body wash for the first 24 hours after your first post-tan shower.
We hope that this was helpful! If you need help finding the perfect self-tanner just reach out to our lovely team members on 1300 880 635 or leave a comment below.
BB xx
