How To Give Yourself An At-Home Airbrush Tan

Want to know how to get faux sun-kissed skin at home? We share step-by-step guide for how to give yourself an airbrush tan, ahead.

Summer is all about the bronze, but with the sun’s harmful—read: dangerous—UV rays lurking around every corner, getting a tan the natural way is simply out of the question. Luckily, there are plenty of self-tanners that can help you achieve a faux sun-kissed glow sans sunlight. One of our favorites? L’Oréal Paris’ Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist. Like a spray tan in a bottle, this drugstore self-tanner was inspired by professional techniques and can help you achieve a salon-worthy spray tan at home. Formulated with a blend of antioxidant-rich vitamin E and gentle alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), the ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist can nourish and smooth the surface of the skin and provide a gorgeously bronzed, natural-looking faux tan, too! Want to give it a try? Keep reading to find out how to give yourself an at-home airbrush tan using this self-tanning mist.

STEP ONE: HOW TO PREP YOUR SKIN

If you think application is the most important step in giving yourself an at-home airbrush tan, think again. In order to achieve a natural-looking, streak-free spray tan, you’ll want to ensure you prep your skin accordingly. The first step in prepping your skin for an airbrush tan is exfoliation. Exfoliating can help slough off dry, dead skin cell buildup and leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and ready for an even-looking spray tan.

You can exfoliate the skin on your body in a number of ways, but our go-to is usually a sugar (or salt!) scrub, or dry brushing. Depending on your preference, you can use body scrubs on dry skin before showering or in the shower. Dry brushing, on the other hand, requires the use of a natural bristle brush to gently exfoliate the surface of the skin and slough away any dry, dead skin cells that may be getting in the way of gorgeously smooth skin. For more on dry brushing, check out our step-by-step guide.

After you’ve exfoliated your skin, you’ll want to hop in the shower for a quick rinse. Now is also a good time to shave your legs, as shaving post-spray tan can remove some of the tanning formula and result in a lighter bronze. Once you’ve rinsed off, it’s time for hydration!

When it comes to applying a self-tanner of any kind, hydration is key. We recommend hydrating every inch of your body with a lightweight body lotion, then using something a little heavier (like an oil or body butter) on the rougher areas of the body—think: your knees, elbows, knuckles, ankles, etc. That way, when it comes time for application, the faux tan on your knees, ankles, and so on will blend better with the rest of your skin. Once you’re thoroughly moisturized, it’s time for step two: application.

STEP TWO: HOW TO APPLY AN AT-HOME SPRAY TAN

Now that your skin is prepped and ready for your airbrush tan, it’s time for application! To apply the Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist, remove the cap and keep the bottle at an arm’s length from your body. Next, spray your whole body with one even coat. After you’ve applied an even coat of the Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist, allow the formula to dry completely—do not rub in!—before putting your clothes back on.

STEP THREE: HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAKE TAN FROM FADING

After you’ve misted your body with the Self-Tanning Mist, you’ll want to ensure that you keep the skin on your body as hydrated as possible. This will help the spray tan stay intact and will also allow it to fade in a more natural-looking way (vs. looking super blotchy and discolored). After about three or four days, indulge your body skin to a gentle exfoliation and follow up with another coat of the spray to extend the life of your airbrush tan. Just don’t forget to prep your skin with hydration beforehand!

For more tips on how to make your self-tanner last, click here.