4 Ways to Make Your Self Tanner Last

Faux tanner is a gift from the beauty gods. It’s easy to apply, feels lightweight on the skin and can be done professionally in the form of a spray tan or at home with a mitt. In fact, the hardest part about it all is actually making your glow last, which is why we tapped St. Tropez Tan Expert Sophie Evans for her best tips for prolonging a faux glow.

1. Make Sure Your Skin Is Ready for Your Tan

According to Evans, the key to a long-lasting tan is to make sure your skin is prepped and ready before your self tanner is even applied. “Make sure your skin is in great condition prior to the self-tan application process and always exfoliate!” she says. The day of, you want to make sure you’ve moisturized all dry areas — elbows, knees, hands, wrists, feet and the back of the heels especially as these areas can pick up too much color.

2. Avoid Water After Your Tan

After you’ve self tanned or gotten a spray tan, you want to avoid water at all costs. Because the self tan takes some time to develop, Evans recommends avoiding physical activity that could lead to sweating. “It’s also best to wait until the tan fully develops — typically after eight hours with traditional self tanner — before showering,” she notes.

3. Use Products to Maintain Your Tan

Another trick to maintaining a long-lasting faux glow is to use lotions, serums and mists. Products like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self Tanning Serum or the St. Tropez's Gradual Tan Watermelon Infusion Moisture Miracle Body Lotion are perfect for this. “You can apply one application every two days for a little boost of color, and the lotion will absorb instantly while deeply nourishing and moisturizing the skin,” says Evans.

4. Consistently Replenish Your Glow in Certain Areas

As for areas like your face, Evans suggests using a tanning face mist every two to three days. “Areas like the face fade the quickest due to cleansing,” she says, which is why you’ll want to maintain your glow with the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist that specifically made for this area.

Read More:

Ingrown Hairs? Try an Exfoliating Post-Shave Scrub

How to Soothe Irritation After Waxing

5 Self-Tanner Myths Debunked