Self-Tanner Application Tips From Clarins

As if the folks at Clarins can virtually see my need to spend more time in the sun (hello, pasty white skin!), I received this handy email from them about how to fake it – quick style - with their absolutely yummy Delicious Self Tanner. If you haven’t already tried it, this stuff is totally delectable and smells like a caramel sundae, but I haven’t had a chance to dive in yet. This email is definitely my green light. If you’ve already tried this stuff, I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you haven’t, are you ready to dive in with me? Let’s do it. Any gel or cream self-tanner will do. Here, Kara Peterson, Clarins’ National Practical Training Manager for the Clarins Skin Spas gives us her best at-home tips on how to turn bronzed goddess lickety-split. - Joannie McIntyre

1. Prep is the first step.
Kara says prepping your skin is the most important step to creating a streak free tan. First, she uses Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub to exfoliate the whole body and recommends shaving the day before your application. Be sure to concentrate your exfoliation on the dry spots such as elbows, knees, ankles and feet. To prevent any uneven color you can also apply a light moisturizer over these areas before you begin.

2. Focus. Focus. Focus.
When you’re ready to apply your self tanner, think about where the sun naturally hits your body. These are the parts you want to begin with and focus most of your attention on. Move to the other parts using the leftover product in your hands. For example, on the legs, start in the middle of the calf muscle and then work outwards using a quick massage movement.

3. Correct to perfect.
Once the color fully develops and you find you have missed a spot, correct it with a tinted self-tanner, so you know where you’re applying color.

4. Give me more.
If the first application doesn’t give you the results you want, Kara recommends waiting until the next day to do another coat. If you wait more than three days, exfoliate again to create a smooth surface for the tanner to glide over.