How to make your fake tan last into the New Year

The turkey, the puddings, the extra-helpings and the Boxing Day sales have done us in. And now we’re in no man’s land; that odd week between Crimbo and the New Year designed to give us a little respite before we gather up our spirits again to ring in the start of 2019. Who’s got the energy to fake tan again?

Luckily, there are lots of ways you can eke out your Christmas tan into the New Year and avoid a full-on reapplication. Here are some effortless ways to boost the lifespan of your tan well beyond the chorus of Auld Lang Syne:

• Trade in your long hot bath for a short shower.
• Skip your swimming session at the pool or opt for a quick dip over a lengthy paddle.
• Avoid the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
• Tone down that spin class so you don’t sweat too much and dilute your colour.
• Moisturise every day to nourish your golden skin and retain your glow for a bit longer. This will also enliven a tan that’s started to dull and make your skin look fresher and more vibrant.
• Rejuvenate a languishing tan with a quick application of gradual tanner. It will gently develop over the course of the day and enhance a tan that’s started to fade.
• Keep exfoliating to a minimum! Pumice, sugar exfoliators or any other variety of skincare product that sloughs away your dead skin cells will also weaken your tan prematurely. However, the good thing about exfoliating is that it does encourage an even fade-off — your skin won’t look patchy when your colour eventually begins to fade and it’ll be perfectly prepped for your next treatment.
• Finally, apply Radiance Body Balm on New Year’s Eve to lend your skin a touch of sparkle and accentuate your glow. The gold flecks suspended in this indulgent moisturiser reflect the light and enhance the rich finish of an existing tan, helping it to look brighter.