Solve Those Self-Tanner Snafus

For starters, I must congratulate you for trying a self-tanner in lieu of laying out in the sun or visiting a tanning bed. Don't be discouraged if it didn't apply perfectly the first time, you'll get the hang of it. The most common self-tanning mishap is streaky skin. Here’s how to fix it and ensure a better faux-glow for next time. 

First, Scrub and Buff.

Scrub away streaks. Streaks usually appear if you aren’t using enough formula or are missing spots. Even out your skin tone by using a body scrub to buff away some of the tan.

Bust out the Baking Soda

You can also mix lemon juice and baking soda in a bowl to create a paste that can be rubbed over any streaks. Both baking soda and lemon juice are lightening agents so they will help life the color.  

For Your Hands

How many of us have been left with orange, mismatched hands after applying self-tanner without gloves? To help lighten and remove splotches, use a whitening toothpaste in between your fingers and your palms to lift the stains. Use an acetone nail polish remover on your nails if they are stained, too.

Too Much Tan?

If your tan looks a little too “Snooki” and is much darker than you were hoping, you can try using baby oil. Drench your skin in baby oil and leave it on for 10 minutes. This will loosen and lift the top layer of skin, so when you rinse it off, your skin will appear less “tan” than before.  

In Case of Emergency

If you’ve suffered a self-tanner catastrophe, like hugely missed spots and stripes, then slather on St. Tropez Tan Remover. It contains a very mild form of bleach that’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, so it will completely remove your faux glow if applied within the first four hours of the application.  

Treating Spots

If your self-tanner appears darker in some spots than others, it’s because those areas of the skin are drier. So, to lighten them up, first exfoliate the area to buff off the dry skin, and then moisturize the spot.

Before you apply self-tanner next time, make sure to moisturize those dry areas first. Typically, this includes your knees, elbows, knuckles, and ankles. Apply your self-tanner to those areas first after moisturizing them, to keep the dry skin from absorbing too much color.  

To maintain a flawless finish, use a gradual self-tanner in between your regular self-tanner applications.I use Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mist in between applications of St. Tropez’s Self-Tan Bronzing Lotion to keep a natural, faux-glow all summer long.

What is your favorite self-tanner? Share your self-tanner tips by leaving a comment below!

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