4 skin prepping tips from a fake tan professional

Are you a spray tan or a mousse girl? Whatever fake tan you choose, nailing that bronzed glow requires some skin prep, says tanning professional Olivia Foley. 

The skies may not be giving much away, but we have it on good authority that spring is around the corner.

That means our tights are getting put to the back of the drawer, making it officially tanning season – fake tanning season, that is.

While you’re picking out your cute spring dresses and dusting off those open-toe shoes, you also need to start prepping your skin for the new warmer climes.

So we asked tanning professional and salon owner Olivia Foley, from Allure Beauty and Nail Spa, for her ultimate prepping tips before applying fake tan to ensure our golden glow makes us forget all about winter.

 

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1. Preparation is key

Keep your skin well prepped by moisturising every day. A few days before applying fake tan, exfoliate your skin all over. When it comes to the day of applying fake tan, it’s important that you don’t exfoliate, spray deodorant or apply any body lotion (except for hands and feet). This will affect the application process. You should ensure all hair removal and tinting is done at least 24 hours before tanning.

2. Bottoms up!

If applying tan at home, work from the feet up. Apply a moisturiser to hands and feet as these are places tan clings to. Use a brush to apply tan to these areas. If you’re opting for a spray tan, wait at least six to eight hours before showering. Remove all guide colour in the shower. Moisturise your skin after the shower to keep your tan looking its best.

3. Don’t forget your face

I always recommend tanning the face lightly. Fake tan will fade quite quickly from your face but it can be topped up after a couple of days. Using a brush on your face will ensure a light base.

4. Fade out

As your tan starts to fade, begin exfoliating the skin gently to help even removal. The last thing you want is patchy tan!

 

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Allure Beauty and Nail Spa in Drumcondra, Dublin, offers spray tans with a wide range of different brands – Bellamianta (all shades), Dripping Gold, HeShi and Catwalk HQ. And if you can’t quite commit to the full fake tan prep yourself, the salon also offers waxing, facials and eyelash extensions as well as manicures, pedicures and eyebrow treatments.

Allure’s Olivia Foley is nominated in the Best Tanning Professional category at the IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards 2020, powered by Dyson – so get your name down fast if you want a professional spray tan before she gets booked up!

For more information on Allure Beauty and Nail Spa’s tanning, click here.

For more information on Allure Beauty and Nail Spa, click here.