How to Get a Fake Tan without the Fake Look

For those who like a warm glow or tan without harmful sun tanning or the dreaded fake bake look that may be just as harmful to your skin as the real thing, there are options. The key to a great looking tan is to start with healthy skin. Avoid the fake tan in a can look with gradual tanning that starts subtly and build on it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Exfoliting Mitt or Loofah
• Moisturizer
• Gradual Self-Tanner

1. Get plenty of sleep. What has this got to do with a great tan? If you don't get enough sleep, your skin shows it. Sallow pale skin is a dead give-away that you're not getting enough sleep. Get at least 7-hours each night and try to keep a normal sleep schedule, your skin will thank you for it.

2. Exercise for a healthy glow. This means getting out and moving for at least 20-minutes each day. A walk, jog, run or just dancing around. Anything that gets your heart pumping and makes you break a sweat is not only good for your heart, weight and attitude; it's good for your skin. Exercise helps your skin cells renew and improves circulation.

3. Exfoliate and moisturize often. Not only does exfoliation slough off dead skin and help with skin renewal, it is an important step before fake tanning. Give yourself a great base for tanning products by exfoliating several times a week and moisturizing every day.

4. Avoid the dreaded orange or brown fake bake. That gorgeous glow you were after just made you look like you came out of a crayon box or worse yet, dirty. Avoid this look by going gradual. This means choosing gradual tanners that create a soft glow over several hours or a day. Painted on instant tan usually looks just like that, painted on. Apply the tanner gradually as well, only once every 2 or 3 days. This will allow the tanner to work with your skin creating a natural look.

5. Use a light hand. Never slop on more tanner in the hopes that you will get a tan faster. It looks fake, causes streaking and you may just have to start over. A light application on pre-moisturized skin is all it takes. If you're doing it right and using a gradual tanner, you will see results. Just give it a day or two.

6. Try a little secret for the best natural looking fake tan ever. Use fake tanners made just for the face. Why? Because these are more mild and don't create the instant dark look. Gradual tanners created for the face have loads more moisturizer in them and they offer a glowing look with one application. But, they're stackable, which means you can use them on your body over the course of a week or more and build a great looking natural tan.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain the best fake tan by reapplying your tanner once or twice a week. That's all that's needed for a natural looking tan.
• Avoid exfoliating immediately after applying fake tanner products. Wait at least a day after applying tanner for better tan results.

Resources

• Self Tanner Reviews