How To Achieve To Ultimate Face And Body Fake Tan At Home

Pro tanner James Harknett talks us through his foolproof method

Updated on26th October 2020 at 3.56pm

We might be confined to our homes for the forseeable, but that doesn't lessen the mental boost a good old fake tanning sessioncan bestow to some. Master tanner James Harknett let us into the secrets behind his foolproof at-home tanning method.

‘For an instant feelgood fix, a good DIY tan always hits the spot. Skin looks more even, eyes look brighter, teeth look whiter and it conjures up memories of days spent poolside. But to achieve a good self-tan requires a little legwork. A pitfall is taking the “one tan fits all” approach, so do your research and find out what product suits you best, then follow these steps to achieve a foolproof tan at home.’

Step 1: Homework

‘Plan the tan 24 hours after shaving or two days after waxing and exfoliate the morning or evening before tanning – skin renewal is crucial for a deep, even colour. Don’t use anything too harsh, like a salt scrub, unless you have unwanted tan from a previous application. Try Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, £27, paying attention to elbows and any areas of dry skin.’

Step 2: Prep

‘Choose a cool space, preferably in front of the bathroom mirror. Have a quick cool rinse, tie back your hair and apply Vaseline [5], 95p, to your brows to avoid tinting. Next, barrier the heels, feet, elbows, wrists and hands with a small dab of Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion, £7.14, massaged in sparingly. These areas produce less natural moisture and the skin is tougher, more coarse and rougher, which means the self-tan grabs darker and can give the game away – so this step is crucial.’

©Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion

Step 3: Time To Tan

‘If you are using a lotion, mousse or liquid, chances are your product will come with

a tanning mitt. If not, pop on some latex gloves and use a sports sock turned inside out. One of my universal favourite tans is Fake Bake Flawless Coconut Tanning Serum, £30, which combines tanning and skincare, nourishing your skin while your tan develops with a streak-free finish.

Start on your legs. Disperse your tanning product on to the mitt and drag down the legs ensuring you cover all the skin. To get that salon finish, gently massage into the fine lines on the kneecaps. For ankles and feet, use minimal product, or the residue from your mitt, for a lighter blend.

Next, do chest, torso and arms. For the inner arms, drag down from your armpit, smoothing down towards the wrist. As the tan disperses it leaves a lighter finish towards the hands, avoiding the dreadful fake tanned “cuff ”. Tanning the back can be quite arduous. If you can, ask someone at home to do it for you. Otherwise, turn the mitt the other way around, stand sideways looking into the mirror and apply the tan in circular motions across shoulders and back.

For the face, add a small amount of self-tan to your facial skincare or stick to a facial tanning product. Before tanning the face, place a cold damp flannel over it to tighten the pores. Just a few tanning drops – like Dr Sebagh Tanning Drops, £35– added to your night cream is enough to give a warm glisten. Blend into the hairline and finish by rubbing a cotton bud over the brows to remove any excess.’

Step 4: Aftercare

‘Once tanned, it’s a good idea to dry the skin and settle the tan with a quick blast

of cool air from your hairdryer. Enjoy your glow for as long as possible by keeping the skin hydrated at all times, which will help ensure an even fade. Try Neutrogena Deep Moisture Express Body Mist, £6.99. During the summer, sprinkle a little powder in the folds and areas prone to perspiring, like under the breasts, arms and in the creases of inner arms.’