Faking It
It's that time of year, Summer is here and it's 'get your legs out' season.
Most of us will have been shrouded in trousers, leggings or 60 denier opaque tights for the past eight months, so the thought of getting your milk bottle white limbs out will send a shudder down your spine.
Don't despair; there are a great range of fantastic fake tanning products you can buy, from a
moisturiser that tans to full on spray tans you can do at home. But remember girls, it's all in
the preparation, here are some great tips to a fantastic fake tan.
1 Start preparing your body several days or even a week in advance; skin that is moisturised regularly will react a lot better to tanning products.
2 Make sure you moisturise the skin really well in the days leading up to the self tan application. Although you shouldn't apply moisturiser immediately before you apply the fake tan or it could dilute the pigment in the tanning product.
3 Shave your legs the day before you plan to tan. Whether you need it or not shaving will remove the top layer of dead skin cells from your legs, by the next day new skin cells will
be primed ready for tanning.
4 Bathe or shower using a washcloth and an exfoliating wash. Concentrate on rough spots
like knees, elbows and ankles.
5 Dry off completely; skin must be free of lotions, deodorant and make-up.
6 If you haven't managed to get rid of all your dry skin from problem areas try mixing the fake tan with a little moisturiser, this will help reduce the pigment.
No matter how careful or prepared you are, a fake tan can still go horribly wrong from time
to time. Many companies now sell fake tan removal products, Boots produce a pack of tan correction wipes, a bit like baby wipes they wipe away the problem, worth having a pack in the bathroom.
If your spray tan is just too dark go for a swim. That's right, taking a dip in the local swimming baths will do the trick, the chlorinated water acts like a bleaching agent and reduces the pigment instantly.
If you have one problem spot try using lemon juice mixed with sugar or vinegar, they both show good, fast results. You can also use a wedge of lemon and gently rub it on the desired area.
Baking soda is another kitchen cupboard ingredient which can be used; make it into a paste by adding a little water and apply to the skin.
Another good one we all have in the bathroom is toothpaste. Add a little water on the problem
area and it removes tan instantly. It is advised to test the skin first, to confirm you don't have
any side effects.
Happy fake tanning and lets hope we have a Great British Summer.
