Achieving a beautiful sun-kissed glow with fake tan is a popular beauty trend.
While using a tanning mitt is the preferred method, sometimes you may find yourself without one at hand.
Fear not!
You can still get a streak-free and natural-looking tan without a mitt. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the steps to apply fake tan without a mitt and achieve flawless results.
Materials Needed
- Fake tan product of your choice (here are some recommendations)
- Body lotion (optional, but helps with blending)
- Exfoliating scrub or glove
- Disposable latex gloves or a large makeup brush
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prep Your Skin
Before applying the fake tan, it’s essential to prep your skin to ensure an even application and longer-lasting results.
Start by exfoliating your body with a gentle scrub or an exfoliating glove in the shower.
Focus on areas prone to dryness, such as knees, elbows, ankles, and heels, to remove any dead skin cells that can cause uneven tanning.
2. Moisturize Dry Areas
After exfoliating, apply a small amount of body lotion to any dry areas of your skin.
This step will prevent the fake tan from clinging to dry patches, ensuring a smoother application and more natural-looking results.
3. Wear Latex Gloves or Use a Makeup Brush
To avoid staining your hands during the application process, wear disposable latex gloves.
Alternatively, if you don’t have gloves, you can use a large makeup brush to apply the fake tan.
4. Dispense and Apply Fake Tan
Squeeze a small amount of fake tan onto your latex-gloved hand or directly onto the makeup brush.
Start with a small amount and work in sections to ensure even coverage.
If using a brush, dab it into the fake tan and apply it to your skin using smooth, circular motions.
4. Blend Thoroughly
Blend the fake tan into your skin using gentle circular motions, ensuring that there are no streaks or uneven patches.
Take your time with this step to achieve a seamless finish.
5. Pay Attention to Troublesome Areas
Pay special attention to areas that are more difficult to tan evenly, such as the knees, elbows, ankles, and feet.
Use a lighter touch and blend the product carefully in these regions for a natural look.
6. Wash Your Hands and Adjust Application
If using latex gloves, remove them and wash your hands thoroughly.
If you notice any areas that need further blending or touch-ups, do so with clean, dry hands. It’s essential to be quick and precise during this step to avoid uneven results.
7. Allow Time to Dry
Allow the fake tan to dry completely before dressing to avoid transferring the product onto your clothes. Follow the instructions on your chosen product for the recommended drying time.
8. Maintain Your Tan
To extend the life of your tan, moisturize daily and avoid long baths or hot showers, as they can fade the tan faster.
Also, pat your skin dry after showering, rather than rubbing vigorously, to preserve the tan.
In Conclusion
While using a tanning mitt is the preferred method for applying fake tan, it’s entirely possible to achieve a beautiful, streak-free tan without one.
By following this step-by-step guide and being mindful of blending and application, you can enjoy a flawless, sun-kissed glow that will leave everyone wondering if you just returned from a tropical vacation!
