5 Tips for sun-kissed party legs
Christmas is upon us! Party season is in full swing, Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas’ is on repeat, and you have the perfect outfit sorted for your next event. Now you just need to complete your festive look with an enviable ‘I just returned from a tropical holiday’ tan (minus the sun exposure!). Try our 5 simple tips to perfect your party season legs and all-over festive season glow.
1. Preparation is key
The secret to an even tan is to get rid of any dry or flaky skin before application, which helps to avoid patchy areas. In the 24 hours before you plan to tan, make time to shave, exfoliate and moisturise to leave skin feeling buffed and silky smooth – this can help your tanning product apply more evenly and smoothly to the skin’s surface. Remember to moisturise joints (elbows, knees and ankles) where skin can become dry, to prevent a patchy finish.
2. Mitt Magic
This is one tool you want in your beauty kit! A tanning mitt looks like a large mitten and helps to apply tanning lotion evenly across your body without streaks, while protecting your hands from being stained. For best results, apply product to a dry mitt and glide onto skin in light circular motions until product is evenly dispersed. This should leave product applied evenly without any streaks – if you notice any, just buff over them gently in the same circular motions. Best of all, tanning mitts are washable so you can reuse them after every tan (ensuring they’re fully dry before next use)!
3. Face it
If your body is beautifully tanned but you’re worried about your face coming out too dark, try diluting some of your self tanner with a face moisturiser for a lighter application and natural glow. It’s easy to apply makeup over the top to achieve the colour you want for your big event!
4. Set & forget
Now we wait for your tan to develop. Most formulas take between 3-6 hours, however some are faster, and some may need to be slept in overnight. Just read the bottle to check what is recommended for your tanning product. Once your tan is on, let it dry completely before dressing in loose dark clothing to prevent your tan transferring. Avoid anything tight or fitted and try not to let anywhere get wet until you’re ready to wash off in the shower. For best results, shower in lukewarm water (no soap!) until water runs clear, then gently pat dry with a towel. Voila! To help lengthen the lifespan of your tan, remember to continue moisturising each day.
5. Make it shine!
Once you’ve achieved a bronze goddess glow, you’re ready for the final touch. Using a makeup brush, apply a dusting of highlighter down the front of your shins and tops of your feet – this can help to elongate the look of the legs and can catch the light as you walk. Now, get ready to show off those party legs and hit the dancefloor!
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