As we shove our winter coats to the back of the wardrobe, putting them into hibernation for a while as we strip down for warmer climes, we can’t help but have one thing of our mind: our pasty limbs. Yes, arms and legs have been in hiding, shielded by cashmere jumpers and devoid of light for a good 5 months, and as a result are almost luminous in their paleness.
Before we brave showing our calves in midi dresses or anything shorter, we need to take action. Fake tan season is officially upon us. ‘Til we get some decent rays and hit a sunny beach somewhere, we need a little assistance feigning our summer glow. So that you can truly master the art of DIY tanning this year, we got Rosie Huntington Whiteley’s tanning hero, James Read to share a few of his best tips. Say hello to that summer glow.
When’s the best time to fake tan?
James: "In the evening, so you can sleep and wash it off in the morning. You also tend to sweat more in the day, which can cause streaks while the tan is developing."
**And how often do we reapply to keep a natural, constant colour? **
James: "You can re-apply gradual tanning products such as my Day Tan Body and Face over 2/3 days, but for self-tans, I’d always recommend exfoliating on the 4th or 5th day after tanning, then reapply the tan. For stubborn areas where exfoliation doesn’t help to remove the tan, use an enzyme peel like my Enzyme Peel Mask."
Okay, foolproof tips for avoiding orange elbows and ankles?
James: "The tip to avoiding orange elbows and ankles is to ensure that you exfoliate before you tan. If you have particularly dry elbows or ankles, mix moisturizer with your tan, for a flawless golden complexion."
And hands too. However hard we try, they’re always a bit orange…
James: "ALWAYS use a mitt and make sure you wipe your palms on a towel when you are finished or use wet wipes. Never apply fake tan directly to your hands; always work the excess product from the arms onto the hands and the same with the legs and onto the feet and ankles."
What are your top tips for tanning the face? Should we attempt face sculpting or is that too risky done at home?
James: "Before tanning the face, it is a good idea to rub an ice cube over your face to seal pores and lift the skin. Start from the top of the face and make sure you blend up to your hairline using circular movements – rub any excess over and behind your ear to ensure there are no white areas. Use an eye bud to rub any fake tan off your eyebrows. To ensure that you tan the neck correctly, blend the face and neck together as one, working down from the top of the face."
For contouring try using James Read Bronzing Mist – mist a layer onto the hollow of your cheekbones, down the sides of the nose, underneath your chin, in the depth of the temples, and along your hairline. Also try mixing a small amount of self-tan with moisturizer and lightly rub this over the areas you want highlighted, leave for 30 minutes and then wash off.
Should we fake tan before we go on holiday?
James: "Yes! No one wants to be pasty in a bikini. Use my James Read Day Tan Face SPF 15 as it offers sun protection as well as a gorgeous natural colour."
Finally, how do we get fake tan off the floor after accidental spills?
James: "Nail varnish remover is great, as are Nivea wipes."
Tune into QVC on May 8th to snap up James Read’s new Perfect Skin Priming Collection for under £30 (usually £70). The set features 3 of his key products: Tan Perfecting Enzyme Peel Mask which exfoliates, hydrates and removes stubborn tan; Clear Bronzing Spray, an ultra-light mist which gives an all-over glow; and his Sleep Mask Tan, which moisturizes as you sleep, leaving behind a sun-kissed glow.