How to make your fake tan last longer

At Cult Beauty HQ, we’re of the mind that sun damage can do one. Gone are the days when we lounged in the sun sans {SPF}, slowly burning to a crisp while causing all sorts of we’ll-regret-it-later damage to our cherished skin cells. Wised up in the art of skin care, beauty buffs everywhere are reaching for the bottle more than ever to achieve a {sun-kissed glow} without the unwanted side effects.

With some clever tricks, these new hi-tech formulas can last just as long (if not longer) than the real deal! Sold? Read on to discover how to make your fake tan last longer…

EXFOLIATION STATION

To stop your tan getting patchy, gentle exfoliation is key. Slather yourself in {Frank Body}’s {Original Coffee Scrub} 24 hours prior to your self-tan sesh to remove dead or flaking skin that could cause patchiness.

Post-tan, gently exfoliate every 3-4 days with a washcloth or a mitt like {Ameliorate’s} {Exfoliating Body Mitt} to remove any dead skin cells and keep your self tan nice and even.

PRIME YOUR SKIN

To ace your faux glow and make your fake tan last longer, you need to lay the groundwork. Enter: {Isle of Paradise’s} {Prep It – Primer}, an ingenious self-tan priming spray designed to help you achieve a richer, deeper tan that’ll last up to three extra days!

Formulated by world-leading tan expert Jules Von Hep, the formula is infused with an intelligent Oxy-Glow complex as well as good-to-skin avocado, chia seed and coconut oils to intensely hydrate, nourish and ensure your faux glow lasts ever longer than normal. Spritz onto dry skin pre-tan application.

WAX 24 HOURS BEFORE

For a long-lasting tan, de-fuzz at least 24 hours before you want to apply fake tan. Waxing can take the top layer of your skin off, and that means the tan will be going with it, so get that task out the way before you get tanning to avoid a patchy aftermath.

Prefer shaving? Unfortunately shaving can irritate your skin and dull the glow of your freshly-applied tan, so opting to wax instead will mean you can keep the razor at bay for a few weeks.

MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE

… Did we mention moisturise? Keeping your skin hydrated won’t only help your tan to last longer, it will help to prevent streakiness and patchy fading.

Should you moisturise before fake tanning?

100% yes. Always moisturise before fake tanning, focusing on dry areas such as your elbows, ankles and knees to avoid the dreaded orange joints (*shudder*).

Should you moisturise after fake tanning?

Yes! Moisturising is key to a long-lasting, streak-free tan. Moisturise daily post-tanning to lock in hydration and leave your skin buttery smooth.

Top it up with a gradual tan moisturiser

As your tan eventually begins to lighten, switch up your moisturiser for a gradual tan formulation to extend the life of your beachy glow. Quick-drying, streak-free and non-sticky, {St. Tropez}’s easy-to-use {Gradual Tan Watermelon Infusion Moisture Miracle Everyday Body Lotion} builds a natural-looking sun-kissed glow, while hyaluronic acid and watermelon extract deeply moisturises skin for up to 72 hours. Who needs a sun lounger, eh?

AND THE BEST FAKE TAN?

Here’s our pick of the best self tans for your body! Put in the groundwork and, with these formulas, you’ll have a gorgeous glow that stands the test of time.