How to Airbrush Tan

So many of us want that sun-kissed glow sported by starlets and leading men, but we don't want the sun-damaged side effects incurred by toasting ourselves golden brown in the sun. The airbrush tan provides us with an alternative means for attaining the an optimum tan easily. In fact, we can now treat ourselves to an airbrush tan at home.

Things You'll Need

• Exfoliating wash or loofah
• Shower
• Shaved legs
• Spray tanner of choice
• Towel

Instructions

How to Airbrush Tan

1. Take a shower and shave your legs. Next, use the loofah or exfoliating wash to scrub away dry dead skin cells. Pay special attention to rough or uneven patches of skin like elbows, knees and ankles.

2. Rinse off the scrub, get out of the shower and dry yourself thoroughly. Do not apply any moisturizer, deodorant or lotion.

3. Begin applying the tan by spraying an initial layer on each leg. Work your way from the foot up to just below your knee. Keep the spray stream steady and the layer light. You can always add a second layer once the first dries and you can clearly determine the depth of the shade.

4. Spray above your knees up to your thighs, over your hips and your belly. When applying the spray to the back of your legs, avoid spraying the back of your knees, this area tends to crease easily and leave odd, dirty-looking lines on the back of your legs. If you choose to spray this area do so lightly and hold perfectly still until the spray fully absorbs into the skin. This can take up to 15 minutes.

5. Move to your upper body. Begin with your extremities by coating each arm, allowing it to dry fully before moving on. While maintaining a steady spray stream over your upper arm and forearm, lighten the pressure and mist the front and back of the elbow area. Do not move your arm until it dries, your elbow area is susceptible to the same creasing issue as the knees. Repeat this process on the other arm.

6. Return to where you left off on your belly and spray upwards and out toward the sides of your torso until your chest, shoulders and neck are evenly coated by the tanning spray. After the tanner sets, you'll need to turn to your back. If you want to ensure that you're fully tanned you may want to enlist a friend to complete the application and spray your butt and back. If you try to do this yourself you'll have difficulties keeping the spray pressure consistent as you reach to cover hard-to-reach angles.

7. Wait for the first layer to dry completely, then assess your tan in the mirror. Look for unevenness or missed spots that may need an additional coat of tanner. If your tan appears well executed, you're all set. It should last for two to three weeks before you'll need to reapply. If, however, you want a darker tan, it is best to wait a few hours before applying another coat.

Tips & Warnings

• Test a small area of skin with the tanner to ensure you are not allergic, before you apply it to your whole body. Lemon juice will help even out blotchy or dark areas that often appear on joints. Do not apply spray tanner to the front of your palms or the bottom of your feet. Wash and exfoliate your skin before applying spray tanner. Do not apply lotion or moisturizer prior to applying your tan.

Resources

• Air Brush Tan at Home