Okay, so lemme tell you guys about my self-tanning adventure (or should I say, misadventure?) and how I finally figured out how to not make a total mess. Seriously, I looked like I wrestled a bottle of bronzer for a while there.
First off, prep is KEY. I used to just slap the stuff on, thinking I was saving time. HUGE mistake. Now, I always exfoliate like, the day before. I grabbed some cheap scrub from the drugstore and went to town. Makes a world of difference, trust me.
Then, moisturizing. Don’t skip this! I waited until the next day. I slathered on some lotion, paying extra attention to my elbows, knees, and ankles – those dry spots that always grab too much color. I waited, like a good 30 minutes, for it to soak in completely before even THINKING about the tanner.
Next up, the application. I used to use those lotions, but honestly, they were streaky nightmare. I switched to a mousse, and it’s a game changer. I pump it onto a mitt – a MUST, people! Don’t even try without one. I do small sections at a time, rubbing it in circular motions.
The back? Ugh, the bane of my existence. I tried those applicator things with the long handles, but they always felt awkward. My solution? I just ask my roommate. Begging is also acceptable. Seriously though, if you don’t have a willing participant, try standing in front of a mirror and doing your best. It might not be perfect, but it’s better than nothing.
Hands and feet are tricky. I put a tiny amount of mousse on the mitt (after doing the rest of my body!), and then lightly blend it onto the tops of my hands and feet. I rub a little extra moisturizer on those areas right after to dilute the color and prevent them from looking orange. Also, wash your palms immediately! I’ve learned that the hard way.
The Biggest Tip for No Mess: I found this weird trick that actually works. I take an empty foaming hand soap bottle and fill it with the self tanner. I got this idea online somewhere and thought it sounded crazy, but hear me out! The foam is so much easier to spread evenly, and it doesn’t drip everywhere like lotion can. Plus, you’re already used to pumping foam, so it’s less messy on the mitt.
- Foam bottle
- Exfoliate and moisturize
- Use a mitt
- Small section application
After I’m all tanned up, I wear loose, dark clothes and try not to sweat for at least a few hours. And NO showering for at least 6-8 hours, or overnight is even better.
It takes some practice, but now I actually get a pretty decent tan without looking like I rolled around in dirt. Hope this helps you avoid my early tanning disasters!
