Sunless tanning tips for fair skin

Avoid tanning mishaps

Create a natural-looking finish that looks fresh.

If you’re a redhead with porcelain skin and you want to warm up your complexion without camouflaging your freckles, here’s how to make sure you get your tan right first time:

Pick the right product

Start off gently by using a tanning lotion that produces a light colour and a subtle sheen on the skin like Gradual Glowing Self Tan. You’ll have complete control over the depth of colour – you can layer up the product to produce a richer hue or opt for a single application that lends the skin a natural glow.

Prep your skin

Wax or shave at least a day before your treatment, avoid using deodorants and creams that can act as a barrier to your tanner and protect your hair with a headband. It can even be useful to apply some petroleum jelly over your toenails and fingernails to prevent them from becoming stained with colour.

Confidently apply the tanner 

There’s a greater risk of creating streaks and patches of colour on paler complexions simply because there’s a starker colour difference between the product and the skin. Gradual tanners like Gradual Glowing Self Tan reduce this risk because they are textured like a regular body lotion and are easy to rub in evenly. However, traditional tanners that need time to develop after an application can be trickier to get right.

We recommend pumping a small amount of product onto a tanning mitt and rubbing it in to the skin in a circular motion. Don’t over-saturate the mitt but don’t be afraid to add more product as necessary – if you try to over-rub an insufficient amount of the tanner onto a large area you’ll end up with streaks. The secret is to be confident and firm with your application.