Banish those tell tale signs of Fake Tan in an instant!

Q - Whats the secret to a lasting fake tan thats even in its finish?

Rule 1 - Select the right formulation & do a patch test.

There is no end to the selection of fake tans available in todays market.  All vary in ingredients and texture, and come in the form of gels, lotions, sprays and creme formulations.  Always select the right product for your overall skin type.  Use the following as a guide only:

• Normal to dry and/or sensitive - use a light lotion or spray.
• Combination or oily  - use a light lotion or gel.
• Dry to very dry - use a rich creme formulation.

Unless you have used the product before, always where possible do a patch test.  An ideal place to test the product is the wrist area or for the face behind the ear lobe.

Rule 2 - Preparation starts with good exfoliation.

Preparation is key here, always prime the skin before each application by exfoliating according to your skin type.  Think of it as preparing a surface, as you would with an undercoat of paint.  The surface in nearly all cases must be sanded to ensure a smooth application, and several layers applied to ensure an even finish of colour.  Exfoliation is recommended for any skincare regime to rid the upper surface layers of the skin of dead cells.  Use the following as a guide for regularity:

• Normal to dry and/or sensitive - Once a week.
• Combination or oily skin - Twice a week.
• Dry to very dry - Three times a week.

Pay particular attention to areas particularly prone to dryness.  These are your elbows, knees, hands & feet (in particular in between the fingers and toes!)

Rule 3 - Never rush a fake tan application!

Take your time, and start on your most exposed larger areas first.  Apply with even strokes paying particular attention to the areas of your body where the sun would most naturally catch.  Use remaining traces of product sparingly on smaller areas, and around hairline if applying to the face.  Keep blending the product into your skin until totally absorbed. 

Rule 4 - Always finish by washing your hands!

For sunkissed hands, once final traces of your fake tan have been removed.  Use a cotton pad with a small amount of product, and apply to the backs of your hands, blending well into the wrist area.

Rule 5 - Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

The skin is the bodies largest organ and water is a staple requirement in maintaining healthy thirst quenched skin.  Keep your skin tip top and apply moisturiser daily after showering or bathing.   Remember to include regular exfoliation in your weekly skincare regime.  This in the long run will speed up cell renewal which in turn brightens the skin giving you an underlying healthy glow!   Star time saver tip!  If unable to exfoliate prior to a fake tan application, always apply moisturiser as a base to ensure a smooth application.

beautycube’s recommended exfoliators:

1. Star Buy! Linden Leaves Herbalist Flax Seed Body Polish.  Natural gentle exfoliator which soothes & heals (flax seed oil), moisturises (shea butter), and regenerates (calendula).  Suitable for all skin types. www.lindenleaves.com 
2. Spa Buy! Jan Marini Bioglycolic Resurfacing Body Scrub.  An intense luxury treat which contains a carefully blended herbal infusion.  Heals (rosemary) , cleanses (cammomile) and soothes (extract of Aloe).  Glycolic acid smooths and brightens the skin.  Suitable for sun damaged and blemish prone skin. www.jmsreurope.com
3. Shopaholic Buy! bnatural Brightening Shower Scrub.  Light and fresh with skin brightening properties.  Invigorates (green tea), moisturises (honey), & soothes (aloe vera).  Suitable for normal to dry skin types. www.tesco.com

Ask beautycube! 

Have a question on the above tip of the month?  Please e-mail info@beautycube.co.uk

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