The tan commandments

Bronze yourself beautiful this summer

It’s simple: sun = bad. Tanning beds = even worse. So, save your skin and fake it. Scared? Follow these simple rules and you’ll never enter “orange county” again…

Thou shalt always properly prepare thy skin for tanning
Just as you wouldn’t put new paint over old, peeling paint, nor should you apply tan over flaky skin or old tan. So this is what you need to do: shower, step out from under the water, and exfoliate your entire body with a grainy body scrub. (Choose an oil-based one if you can, as it will moisturise while it takes off the dead skin cells.)

Thou shalt not shave directly after tanning
As shaving/waxing/depilatory is a form of exfoliation, if you do it straight after you’ve tanned, your hair removal will remove your tan along with your hair. Do it before you tan. Waxing and other depilating should be done the day before tanning, while shaving can be done immediately before (unless you have sensitive skin, in which case do it the day before to let your skin settle down).

Thou shalt not tan damp skin
Make sure you wait 10 to 15 minutes between showering and applying your self-tanner. Warm water can open your pores and you may end up with a blotchy look if you don’t wait. While you’re waiting, do your eyebrows, paint your nails or apply a face mask. View the time not as a waste, but as a mini-pampering session.

Thou shalt use thy best formula for thy skin
What suits your skin type and tone will come with some trial and error. In the mean time, here are some practically pointers. Because what works for you can depend on how much time you have before you get dressed (mists, sprays and mousses ten to dry fastest); how good you are at applying (tinted or “instant” bronzers are best as you can see where you’re applying), and what depth of tan you’re after (spray tan-type ones are best for a pro-looking coverage). If it’s just a night at home before a flesh-baring day, you can use any of them.

Thou shalt keep thy tanned skin hydrated
Dry skin won’t hold DHA (the chemical tanning agent that stains the uppermost layer of your skin). The key is to moisturise every single day after your shower, but not right before you tan – it will interfere with the absorption of the tanner.