Sunless tanning is notoriously tricky. Even if you've been faking a golden glow since that hilarious episode of Friends (you know the one), mistakes can still happen. We spoke with St. Tropez celebrity self-tan artist Sophie Evans for her tricks and tips on fixing the most common sunless tanning issues.
If your tan is streaking...
Tan streaks and patches happen when you’re not using enough product from the get-go. Evans says if you feel like you’re pulling and rubbing your skin, you are likely not using enough of the tanner and the result will be streaky.
If you’re already past that point, don’t worry. Evans says to lightly exfoliate your entire body and use a wash cloth or an exfoliating mitt to lift darker streaks off the skin. The one thing she says to never do is reapply self-tanner without first exfoliating. “It you apply more self-tanner onto an uneven surface, the self-tan will still be uneven,” she says. “Always exfoliate the darker areas first.”
If your tan is fading fast...
Even the most flawless fake tan can fade for a number of reasons. Evans lists tight clothing, excessive sweating, high-intensity exercise, and using exfoliating products as the common reasons your tan can fade unevenly. To prevent premature fading, Evans says to always pat the skin dry after showering and to moisturize everyday with a non-oil based lotion. We love the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Watermelon Infusion Body Lotion (left).
If you find your tan fading unevenly, use a gentle body scrub or dry brush to lightly exfoliate every two to three days. This will keep your tan even and allow for re-application without the fear of buildup. Evans stresses again to never just reapply more sunless tanner without first exfoliating.
If your tan is uneven...
Sometimes, you don’t get it right on the first go. When your tan isn’t applied evenly at first, Evans says the only way to even it out is to—can you guess?—exfoliate. If there is a severe dark spot that can’t be removed by exfoliation, she says to rub moisturizer on the area and then apply the self-tanner on top. “The moisturizer will dilute it and act as a barrier so that the tan will not develop too dark and the skin can remain a uniform color," she adds.
If there is buildup...
Buildup happens when you apply new layers of product on an old self-tan. To avoid and correct this, there is only one thing you can do: exfoliate. Evans says to do it every two or three days with a scrub or dry brush gentle enough not to rip or tear the skin.
If you want to remove your tanner...
If you want to take off your self-tanner all at once, you'll need a dedicated tan-removing product (unless you feel like scrubbing your skin raw). Evans suggests the St. Tropez Tan Remover Mousse. She says to apply it over the entire body and leave it on for five minutes. Then shower off and use an exfoliating mitt or wash cloth to lift all traces of the old self-tan.
