The tanning guru guides us through her easy glow guide for the big day
1. What are the products you need to get started?
Of course I would say get the whole range, as we invest so heavily in hundreds of lotions, potions and cosmetics for our faces but don’t do the same for our bodies!
However, if you were looking to test out a bridal tan with the essentials, my Body Set gives you all you need for a full body glow. Beyond that, the glycolic body scrub and ultra- balm are heroes for a flawless finish, particularly if you are prone to dry skin and worried about tan clinging.
2. How should you prep your body to get the perfect tan?
The biggest mistake people make is not spending enough time preparing their skin for a sunless tan. We prep our face before makeup, our hair before styling so why not prep the skin before tanning? Tanning is no different and this gives the best results.
Start by exfoliating to remove dead skin cells so that the tan will blend and be absorbed more evenly. Focus on rough spots like elbows, knees, ankles, and heels – Our New Skin Body glycolic scrub is a game changer in this department. I do this the day before application followed by a layer of my tan compatible Ultimate Body moisturiser. Immediately before applying your tan, always start by applying Ultra Balm, a barrier cream, to the usual offenders (ankles, elbows wrists) to prevent tan clinging to the dry skin.
3. What is the best way to apply the products?
I have created two sets, The Face Set and the Body Set, with 3 products and steps to guide you through the stages of applying tan for the best results. The sets work like makeup with a priming stage first, then an all over coverage, finishing with sculpting and contouring to define the body or face.
Before that, I always start with skin-prep, exfoliating and hydrating the skin in the days before I apply the tan itself.
4. How far in advance do we need to think when we’re planning on giving ourselves the perfect ‘glow’?
When preparing for your big day I’d advise you try a test tan a few weeks before your big day so you can assess what colour you would like to be and then for the day itself, tan no less than 2 days before the event. This ensures the tan is at its best, giving you that just back from holiday glow and illumination, and ensures the guide colour has fully washed off and that the colour has settled naturally.
5. For grooms looking for a more subtle look, how should they approach their tanning process?
Practise makes perfect. Don’t give it a try the day before the wedding having never used it before! Start subtly and build colour to your desired coverage. Grooms may find they only really need a little gradual tan on the face and a subtle contour to get the desired results.
6. How does a Bride avoid stains on their wedding dress? Any myth busting solutions?
Our products do not transfer which is one of the best things about the formulations. Our brushes buff and blend product into the skin so it doesn’t just sit on the top layers.
Just to be absolutely sure we advise blending well and having a 2 day gap between application and the big day.
7. And also, how do you avoid streaks…
Fake tan notoriously collects around the elbows, knees, ankles, and heels. After prepping the skin by scrubbing, apply my multipurpose, enriching Ultra Balm; this helps to prevent streaks and patchiness. Then use a dry clean tanning brush on those areas after application to ensure excess product is absorbed and blended by the brush rather than your skin.
8. What should you avoid after tanning? Are there any products that could disrupt the tan?
We tell our brides that their tan should be the last thing on their beauty schedule. All facials, mani pedis, massage and heavy exercise should be avoided between the tan and the big day. Also avoid all oil-based products and acids (glycolic, salicylic, retinol etc) where possible. Oils and acids are exfoliants, and are NOT friends with the tan active DHA…I use a natural DHA in all my tan products.
9. And finally, how do you keep the glow going?
Keep your skin in good condition by moisturising with a light tan compatible moisturiser. If the tan begins to fade, you can rotate moisturiser with our gradual tan to give the colour a little boost. And if you are going straight onto your honeymoon, ensure you pack an alcohol free or oil free sunscreen that is gentle on the skin.