How To Fake Tan Your Face

2. Prepare your skin

In the same way that you’d prepare your body for tan application 24 hours in advance, you should prepare your face too.

A day before tanning, exfoliate with a gentle, oil-free face scrub to smooth away rough, dry patches. Focus on areas that are prone to dryness, like the cheeks and around the nose. Then, cleanse the skin and apply an oil-free moisturiser to lock in hydration, focusing on the chin, nose, behind the ears and the back of the neck.

Top Tip: Oil can prevent the face tanner from absorbing properly, so avoid using any oil-based skincare products 24 hours prior to tanning.

3. Apply your tan

The best time to fake tan your face is in the evening, as it allows the product to develop overnight. Consider it a part of your evening skincare routine.

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Start by cleansing the skin and removing all traces of makeup. Next, lightly moisturise around your nostrils and other dry spots. Again, make sure that your cleanser, makeup remover and moisturiser are all oil-free. You’re now ready to apply your face tanner.

• Applying the St.Tropez Face Mist: If you opted for the Purity Face Mist, shake the bottle and spritz 3 to 5 times while moving the bottle clockwise around your face to ensure an even coverage. A healthy-looking glow will subtly develop over 4-8 hours, with no need to rinse.
• Applying the St.Tropez Face Serum: If you chose the Purity Vitamins Face Serum, dispense the face tanner into your hands, then smooth evenly over the face, neck and decolletage. Wash your hands and allow the tan to deepen over 4 to 8 hours. There’s no need to rinse!
• Applying the Gradual St.Tropez Face Tan: If you opted for the St.Tropez Gradual Tan Face Cream or Tinted Gradual Tan Classic Everyday Light/Medium Face Cream, simply apply like a moisturiser across the face, neck and decolletage using upward circular motions. Blend into the hairline and over the ears. Repeat every evening.

Top Tip: For best results, make sure that you apply your face tanner in a well-lit area. Dot the products onto the areas that the sun naturally hits (think the nose, chin, cheeks and forehead), then blend out with your fingers.

4. Customise your look

If you haven’t achieved your desired depth of tan by the next morning, simply re-apply that evening as part of your skincare routine. Repeat until you’re happy with your bronzed look. Then, moisturise every morning and night to prevent the tan from fading.

5. Repeat

Cell turnover on the face occurs much faster than on the body, so you should expect your facial tan to fade much faster too. When the 2 tans no longer match up, simply exfoliate the face and begin the tanning cycle again.

And that’s how to self tan your face in 5 simple steps. Explore more of the best face tanners on our website.