Tanning Tips
Pre-tan Skin Preparation
Showering
If you are applying tan at home and shower beforehand. Blast your skin with cold water before you get out to shrink your pores and reduce the chance of blocking them. Remember to wash off all oils, deodorant etc.
Shaving and Waxing
Shaving and waxing will open your pores which is not ideal before applying self-tan. (unless you want to look spotty☹). No thanks. Ideally, shaving should be done around 12 – 24 hours before applying self-tan. Waxing we recommend waiting 12 – 24 hours before applying tan – up to 48 hours if your skin is sensitive.
Invest in a Tanning Mitt
Exfoliate
Dry, dead skin cells absorb self-tan like a sponge and create those horrible dark patches (you know, the muddy looking knees, ankles and elbows). Our Cinnamon & Coconut Skin Smoothing Exfolia will remove dead skin cells so that you are left with a silky-smooth canvas, ready for a self-tan application. The natural sugar exfoliators are sure to give your skin a good buff and jojoba oil will restore moisture to your skin. (great to use even when you are not planning a self-tan application).
Dark knees, elbows and ankles
The best way to avoid the dreaded muddy looking knees, elbows and ankles is proper tan preparation. Use our decadent Caribbeantan Skin Smoothing Exfolia to scrub away all the dead/dry skin from these areas. Before tan application, apply a light layer of Caribbeantan Hydrating Body Butter to your drier areas. This will ensure that less tan solution is able to tan the skin in these areas.
What to wear
Professional tanTake a loose-fitting, floaty type dark dress to your salon appointment. This is to ensure no skin crease lines in your tan before it dries. Try not to do anything that will cause perspiration during the tanning period.
Home tan
Regardless of whether you have applied a gradual or instant tan – wear loose fitting clothing. You may want to opt for darker clothing when applying an instant tan. If you are applying at night before bed, best to use an old sheet to sleep on. Caribbeantan is water soluble and will wash out of sheets and clothing – however there are some white / light fabrics that have been known to stain.
Tan Application
Use a mirror
Apply tan in front of a mirror. Once you are done with a body area, check in the mirror to see if you have missed any areas.
Face tan
Of course, Caribbeantan can be used on the face. Check out these great how to videos:
If you decide not to tan your face. Ensure that you have a darker foundation handy to match to the new gorgeous tanned body.
Where to start applying
Apply from the feet upwards and end with your arms. This is to ensure no fold/crease marks in the tan. Always apply in circular motions to avoid the streaks.
How to apply
Post Tan Maintenance
Keeping a tan for longer
Your tan can last 8-10 days! The trick? All the above mentioned and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! You need to keep your skin from naturally exfoliating too soon. Apply the Caribbeantan Hydrating Body Butter from the day after your tan and every day thereafter to condition and moisturize the skin. The amazing Shimmer Cream has the same conditioning ingredients as the Body Butter but with an added tint and glorious gold shimmer.
Important!
- Do not take long baths.
- Don’t swim for long periods.
- Don’t do activities that cause one to perspire a lot in one area (you can patch up areas with a gradual tanner).
Tanning during pregnancy
Please do check with your Doctor before using any products you are not sure of.
As far as we know it is safe to use Caribbeantan products from the 2nd trimester – but only the Spritzer and the Mousse. Avoid Professional spray tans and aerosol applications.
During pregnancy, your pregnancy hormones such as testosterone and human growth hormones may be ‘all over the place’. So, the shade you normally use may not be correct.
You will need to do a patch test. If you usually use B, try an A. The hormones may affect final tan colour and we do not want you going orange. If the A is too light, then try a B. Or skin the self-tan completely and lather up the Bronzing Lotion. It’s an instant colour without DHA – so you can wear today and wash off at night.
Contouring with tan
The great thing about self-tan is that you can use it to create darker areas and give the illusion of slimmer or more toned areas.
Darker tans are possible
Always use the correct shade for your skin colour. Do not use a darker colour shade because you want to go darker. No. You will end up looking like an Oompaloompa. The ABC shade system has been formulated specifically considering the melanin in one’s natural skin tone and the amount that will work best to deliver a natural looking tan.
Once you have tanned, you may decide that you want to be a shade darker. Its possible. Wait 24 hours since your first tan and then apply a second layer of tan in the same shade that you used previously. You will go a shade darker.
A darker initial tan is also possible. 😊 Add 5 to 10 drops of Caribbeantan Pure Pigment Darkening drops to your Tanning Spritzer for a darker initial shade. The more you add the darker the initial tan. This is GREAT news for body builders and dancers. You can have a super dark initial tan, then once you shower you will be left with a gorgeous natural looking tan.
Getting the Most out of your Product
Empty tubes
When tubes are nearing empty (Body Butter, Bronzing Lotion or Shimmer Cream). Cut the top off the tube. About 3cm – 4cm down. Scrape the contents out with your finger and replace the top cut off section onto the tube by sliding it over. When you need more. Pop off the top cut piece of tube. Cut the tube shorter (so you are cutting away the section that you scraped from last time). Scrape the tube inside with your finger and replace the cut off part of the tube again. Repeat until you cut down to the cap and can scrape out the last bit.
Exfolia
Invest in scoop or even a big spoon to scoop the Exfolia out into your hand. This way you can avoid clogging up the seal and you use less at a time than just taking a handful or pouring out into your hand.
Aerosol -Tan in a Can
Once you have finished applying your Tan in a Can, turn the can upside down and spray the nozzle for 2 seconds. The will clear the nozzle of solution. Then run the nozzle under warm water to clear of any potential tan. The can will be ready for your next application.