It might be baltic outside and yes, there’s rain due tomorrow, but we’re completely done with winter and ready to get our bronze on. After all, it’s April and our spring wardrobes are bursting at the hinges. As such, we asked two of Ireland’s top tanning professionals (and nominees in this year’s IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards) for their tips and tricks to achieve the perfect tan.

How can we avoid streaks and patches?

Olivia Foley at Allure Beauty says, “Preparation is key. The better condition your skin is in, the better the application. Exfoliate the day before you apply your tan, never on the day. Keep your skin hydrated in the days before your tan application with lots of moisturiser, but no moisturiser on the day. Lastly, wear loose clothing after application so there are no marks.”

Any tricks to minimise transfer onto clothes?

Lynn Byrne at Mimi’s Beauty Room recommends you to: “Buff the skin to remove any unnecessary excess tan and allow the tan to dry fully before dressing.” Olivia adds, “If you are attending a big event such as a wedding or if you’re wearing light-coloured clothes, I recommend applying your tan two days beforehand. This gives the tan some time to wear off and will minimise wear-off on the day.”

Does shaving or waxing make a difference to the application?

Olivia says, “I recommend all hair removal be done at least 24 hours prior to your tan application. Waxing will remove your tan and leave patches if done after your application, so it’s a definite no-no. If you need to shave a couple of days after your tan, do so very lightly and with a new razor.” Lynn agrees, saying, “Waxing and shaving should be done a few days before the tan application – never wax or shave on the same day as the tan. Our skin can be very raw and sensitive after any form of hair removal; we need to let our skin heal before applying tan in order to get the best and safest results.”

Olivia Foley and Lynn Byrne are nominated for Best Tanning Professional in this year’s IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards. Click here to vote and hit the button below for tickets – but act fast, as they’re almost all sold out.

Photos: Jason Lloyd-Evans, SS17 Collections