How to: Get flawless tan

Tanning isn't easy especially when your a beginner, therefore I'm here to provide you with exclusive tips and tricks on how to hack the perfect flawless tan. PATCH TEST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO USING TANNING PRODUCTS.
The first step is to exfoliate your skin before applying any tanning product whether that be tanning moisturiser, mousse or instant tanning lotion. I use Soap & Glory Scrub of your life  it isn't too abrasive as I have quite dry skin. It really smells good and makes my skin feel so soft and smooth. Other exfoliatiors I've used is Sanctuary Spa salt scrub  which really feels great on the skin, removing all the dead skin cells and leaving your skin velvety soft. I found an exfoliatior that is great for sensitive skin it is Indulgent Body scrub by Champneys it is a body butter and an exfoliatior, the reviews are amazing. Excellent for dry, sensitive skin as it moisturises the body as well as dequamating the skin.
When you get out of the shower/bath remember to moisturise focusing on knees and elbows, and anywhere else that is dry on your body as tan goes patchy when skin isn't smooth soft, therefore hydrating your skin is going to give you that flawless bronzed look. This is something a lot of people forget, if you do not tan a lot and have had the tanning product a long time it may have gone past its best before date. So make sure to check the date as I've used an out of date tanning product without knowing and it doesn't stay on the skin and smells very strong too. Although most tanning products do have a high potent smell.

Tanning mousse

These are best applied with a tanning mitt, most tanning brands sell tanning mitts too, they aren't to pricey either. It creates a smooth silky finish on the skin rather than streaky application from using your hands. Use a glove underneath the mitt as the tan may seep through onto the palm of your hand deeming the mitt useless as a barrier to the palm of the hand. One full pump onto the skin will cover one arm as a light coverage, if you would want a fuller application do two coats of the tanning product, doing this will make the tan dry slower as there is more product on the skin. I advise you apply the first coat, wait for the tan to dry then, apply a second coat of tanning product. After you have covered your body in the tan, make sure that it is completely dry before putting your clothes back on as it may transfer if the tan isn't dry. Seeing if it is dry is really simple, just touch an area of the body were you have applied the tan and if it does not transfer onto your finger then your ok to put your clothes on. Another way is to wait 30 seconds to a minute to wait for the tan to dry. Most tans are to stay on the skin to develop for 8-10 hours before washing the residue off, other tans don't require you to rinse at all, and some brands have brought out an Express Tan which if left on for 1hour is a light colour, 2 hours is medium and 3 is dark. I know St Moriz have this product. I think it's a great idea especially when your in a rush and just want I quick bronze look.
If you're not sure on how long to leave your tan on for, look on the back of your tanning product to get more information. Remember if you do have to rinse the product off, it will carry on developing after you've been in the shower, so don't be alarmed if you think you've washed it off, because it will go darker depending on how long you leave the product on your skin prior to rinsing it off. I do not recommend going in a bath to rinse the tan as it will most likely soak the developer off your skin.

Tanning Spray 

This is very risqué in my opinion to do at home without going to a professional for a spray tan as it's very easy for you to spray too close or miss a large area, as you cannot clearly see where the tanning product has gone. The best way to master self spray tanning is to practise, practise, practise. As it really does take skill to learn to get an amazing finish on this tanning product and looks flawless when done correctly. I've heard ST Tropez self spray tan is very potent therefore, I do not recommend this to anyone with respiratory problems. I've had a professional ST Tropez spray tan 3 hour express and it was a beautiful and brown, didn't look muddy or too dark. (ST Tropez also sell a 1 hour tan you can purchase at Boots.)Also the smell wasn't too strong although it was very transferable. A tip for when you spray tan is if you have the product dripping or not drying in a particular area, get your tanning mitt and dab the area that is wet and it will take off the excess tan, leaving an even finish to your tan. 

Tanning Lotion

This can be applied using your hands, or wearing gloves or a tanning mitt. It's super versatile and great for travelling. Lotions are super moisturising and great for dry skin as it not only gives you a gorgeous glow but makes your skin super smooth. I've heard fake bake is amazing and it will be my next purchase on tanning products as it has great reviews and lasts super long. Primark do a tanning lotion too and I've tried it, it's super silky and lasts up to 2 weeks depending on application. The brand is called PS love... - this is great for beginners as its really cheap and doesn't require a mitt. Lotions tend to be more pigmented and last longer than mousse as it has a higher concentrated tan. 

Tanning moisturiser 

I love love love gradual tan moisturisers!! They are my absolute fav for a natural tan look and you can control how you would dark you would like the colour to be. I feel that ST Tropez gradual tan is lush, it has almost no odour to it which is always a bonus as its rare that tanning products do not have that typical over powering smell. I felt like it wasn't sticky and didn't transfer onto my clothes as a lot of tanning products can. What made this stand out to the other tanning moisturisers was that it wasn't streaky at all and didn't go into my pores as I feel a lot of tanning products can do that especially on my legs. Dove is also an amazing gradual tanning moisturiser as its cheap, great for sensitive skin and  also none streaky as the consistency is super thick and almost prevents streakiness from forming. 

Another way that gradual tan moisturisers are the BEST is that they a great for keeping your tan bronze wether the tan be natural or fake as it works if you apply the product over another tanning product without if looking cakey or patchy. 

Send me your pictures of your tans girlies! Would love to see results from different products. Follow me on Instagram- bbloggerchar Facebook- Beauty Blogger Charlotte 

Stay tuned for 5 best and 5 worst tanning products I've used. Thank you for reading. 

Charlotte x