We’re in the midst of winter and whilst we’re welcoming the arrival of winter Love Island, we’re mourning the loss of our summer tans. That said, the resurgence of our favourite TV show has only made it worse: we can *almost* handle watching tanned models prancing around in bikinis when it’s sunny inside, but when we’re all feeling pale anyway, this is too much.
Unfortunately, we can’t all be soaking up the South African sun, and so thankfully, fake tan exists to get us through the worst of it. The struggle, however, now lies with how to apply said fake tan and get that golden glow. We all know the major problems: streaky fake tan, cheeto-orange legs (think Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging), white hands and patchy armpits. We need help!
Thankfully, tan perfectionist, Fleur Hobson, has taken to Twitter to teach us all how to PROPERLY fake tan – and her intricate guide has gone viral across social media with hundreds of thousands of shares so she must be onto something.
Here are her top tips:
Remove all your old fake tan
This can be done with exfoliating gloves or body scrubs. We’d recommend The Bondi Sands Fake Tan Remover (and it’s only £8!). Circular motions are the way.
Shave
According to preference, of course. But shaving before you apply fake tan can help your skin appear clearer (apparently).
Moisturise
Every single day, after showering and then sleep! Let your moisturiser soak in overnight to make sure it seeps into your pores, closing them and helping you to avoid those nasty black dots.
Take a cold shower
When you wake up, wash the moisturiser off in a *cold* shower. Cold water is a necessity as it won’t open your pores. Plus, it will wake you up in the morning for a perfect start to the day.
Moisturise
Again, obv.
Apply the tan
With a mitt, of course. Try using lighter shades on your hands and feet, and apply this with a dense bronzer brush to avoid streaking. Genius!
Relax in baggy clothes
Leave the tan on for 8 hours for the best results.
Take a lukewarm shower
Not too hot, as this will remove all your hard work!
Moisturise
THIS CANNOT BE SAID ENOUGH TIMES. Try a bronzing moisturiser to help you maintain that all-important sun-kissed glow.
If that’s all it takes to get as perfectly bronzed as Fleur, count us in!
Whether you like a deep golden tan or a subtle whisper of warmth, there are options for all. Here are the best fake tans that have been tried, tested and given the seal of approval by the GLAMOUR team with our in-house reviews on what exactly they’re best for.
Love a golden glow but looking for something different? We also have reviews on the best gradual tans, best tan for pale skin, bronzers, fake tans for your face and in-salon spray tans. Plus (we’re spoiling you), our top tanning tips to make sure your fake tan looks the best it can be.
