Tips for a great fake tan this winter

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We’ve all seen it, or maybe even experienced it ourselves - what started out innocently enough with a few layers of fake tan for a “healthy glow”, ends up a full blown fashion emergency as we discover our tan in a bottle leaves us less sun-kissed and more Fanta-drenched.

“The tell tale signs of a spray tan application gone wrong are when the colour looks patchy on the skin, such as the underarms, elbows, knees, writsts and feet, says Amy Erbacher, Veet Beauty Director. “It might look muddy and dirty or if the base of the tan is red or orange, it almost glows like fluro orange in the sun, not a good look!”

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“You want the application to look as natural as possible. If you can tell that someone has had a tan, I believe that’s when the colour is too dark and application was applied too heavy and colour is too dark for the person’s complexion.”

In winter, Amy says only a shade or two above your current skin tone is the key to a natural look. “This helps even out overall skin tone,” she adds.

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But if you look forward to an excuse for leaving your fake tan on the bathroom shelf for a few months, Amy gives us this top tip for rocking pale, beautiful skin:

“Apply luscious body cream and add a luminizer either over the top of body cream of mix in with cream. Opt for a golden pink liquid or silver, pearl luminizer. Luminizers feature light reflecting pigments to give skin a dewy glow.”

Amy Erbacher's top tips for getting a great glow in winter.

1. If you have a special occasion, never test out a new faux glow solution/product the day or night before the event. There are so many products on the market that are all formulated with different ingredients and colour variations. I always advise to have a patch test first to check you’re not allergic to product. To perform a patch test apply solution/cream behind the knee or inner elbow and wait 12/24 hours.

2. Application – as they say practice makes perfect! Practice application of faux glow. Again many products are formulated differently and have different textures that can create a different look such as cream, gel, oil base and aerosols such as tan in a can.

3. Difficult areas! That is, the wrists, finger nails and feet. If using creams and gels, apply with a sponge around these porous areas. Baby wipes are great to remove excess tan around fingernails, wrists and soles and heels of feet.

4. We are so very lucky that tanning formulas have become so advanced with a kaleidoscope of colours to choose from, there should be no more excuses to have a blotchy, orange tan. It’s great to say that the myth that all tans are orange is not true anymore! And a spray tan/at home application is a great way to achieve a natural glow without the harmful and ageing effects of the sun.

5. Moisturise morning and night to prevent scaly, dry appearance on skin. Try not to use body oil or moisturising creams with a lot of oil, as this is a great way to gently remove tan. Key is to keep skin subtle and hydrated.

6. I know you’ve all heard it before, but truly exfoliation is KEY to ensure your glow will last. It’s important to remove excess tan build up. When trying to apply a new tan application and the old residue is still left of can be quite tricky to match colour and tan can appear to look patchy.

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Do you wear a fake tan in winter? Or do you prefer the natural look? Let us know at the Y7 Lifestyle Facebook page.

For more skin care tips, head to Veet.com.au