get a glorious glow

Sunless Tanning Tips. A self-tanner is a dream when it's used correctly and a nightmare in the wrong hands. When choosing a self-tanner, find a shade that is appropriate for your skin tone. For pale skin, go with a light formula to get the most natural looking tan, and for darker, olive complexions, apply a tanner labeled medium or dark. And never try to apply sunless tan in a hurry. Can you say spots?? Set aside some real time and follow these steps and you will have that golden glow before you know it!

1. All formulations (lotions, gels, sprays) basically work the same way. Everyone has their own opinions on the matter (you know what they say about opinions), but basically it is a matter of personal preference. **Remember that all sunless tanning products develop differently on everyone. For that one reason, do yourself a favor and do a patch test first.
2. The first thing you'll want to do is exfoliate really well. A loofah or body scrub will work wonders. Fake Bake makes a Body Polish specifically to slough away dead skin cells before tanning (it even includes eleven essential botanicals and exotic oils to help restore your skin's moisture balance and is deliciously scented). Do not pass up this step...you'll be sorry you did!
3. The active ingredient in self-tanners is something called dihydroxyacetone, and it reacts with your dead skin cells and turns them brown. Application can be tricky around areas that naturally tend to get quite a lot of dead cell buildup, like elbows, knees, ankles, etc. Dilute the self-tanner when using it in those areas so it goes on lighter. Mix 50% of self-tanner with 50% of your favorite light body lotion so you don't have to worry about looking all patchy on those tricky areas.
4. Apply sunless tanning lotion (we like Fake Bake or St. Tropez) in a circular motion using mainly the palm of your hand to spread an even layer. Did we stress even layer?? Do not get crazy here...this is a case where less is more. You're better off applying more frequently than trying to turn into a 'beach babe' overnight. Wear gloves (the medical kind). If you don't have a friend on staff at the ER, make sure you wash your hands with soap and water. This stuff will color your palms (and anything else it gets on). For those of you that don't realize, your lips, palms of your hands and bottoms of your feet do not tan. These select body parts should remain pasty at all times.
5. Allow your sunless tanned body to dry completely before getting dressed, or yes, your clothes (or your sheets) will also grab a tan. Do not take a shower for at least an hour after application. What, throw all your hard work down the drain?

What should I do if I turn orange?

You shouldn't turn orange, unless you've dug out an old bottle of QT, that horrifying Quick Tan stuff, and used it past the expiration date. (Grew up in the 60's didn't you?) The newest chemistry in self-tanners turns your skin cells brown, not orange, so you shouldn't have to worry about resembling a lifejacket if you go into 'self-tanning overboard'. You might have a few spots that are noticeably darker. Don't fret, it's back to the shower for you. Try a little more body scrub on these spots and you'll be a happy camper once again. And, if that doesn't work, St. Tropez Self Tan Remover will do the trick! 

Can I apply self tanners to my face?

Yes, you sure can. Although application may be a little more tricky (it's your face we're talking about now). First things first, a great self-tanning application is best the day after you've had a facial. Because blackheads are made up out of dead cells and oils, the dihydroxyacetone is apt to react with the dead cells, making blackheads possibly blacker. Also, there may be certain areas of your skin where you tend to retain excess dead cell buildup, and these will grab more color.

If you don't have time to get a facial, just make sure that you do a good cleansing and exfoliation of your skin first, and then perhaps a mask to absorb oils, before applying the self tanner. Don't use one that is super strong on the face, because if you make a mistake or happen to be a little sloppy, your face has nowhere to hide. We like Fake Bake's The Face because it has the highest quality ingredients to tan the face and a premium level of peptides to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Last but not least...

Do not, under any circumstance, psyche yourself into thinking that just because you are now wearing that golden glow, you've built up resistance to UV radiation. A sunless tan does not provide any protection against sunburn. So, if you are going to the beach, smother yourself with a great sunblock thirty minutes before you open the door. Most sunscreening chemicals take a half-hour to kick-in, so you've got to give them the lag time for an ultimate effect.