Fake Tan for Men

The summer is coming and the white ghost skin hopefully starts to fade away. But although it’s important to catch a little sun, for a little bit, because it helps the production of vitamin D, the consequences of baking in the sun for a long time, are massive.

I’m not going to talk you about the risks of sun bathing, because we all know it by now. It’s such a talked about topic, and with a major importance that must not be forgotten. So an alternative to have a healthy looking skin during summer time, and all year around, it’s the Self Tanner. It’s not something to be afraid of, as some people may still be a little bit skeptical to the use of these formulations, but a long way has come since the very orange streaky look. I was one of those people who definitely were safe about this subject, so I started with a gradual tanning lotion. Actually, that’s an advance about the tanning industry, there’s out there a product suitable for everyone!

So, having a very pale skin, that most people do make sure to remember me quite often, I started trying to “fix” it, first by stop wearing sunscreen (big mistake) to get a subtle tan, and then applying a gradual tanner. Only latter I started using actual tanners.

In my point of view there’s nothing wrong with guys wearing fake tan, as I don’t even think it’s considered make-up (which I don’t think it’s wrong either). You just have to be careful, so it doesn’t go uneven or streaky. To avoid that, you have to follow a few steps.

Before Tan:

• Before you start your tanning session, you have to prepare your skin to receive the product.
• Shave and wax 24h before, or as a men, try to shave a little bit earlier, like, in the morning and then apply the product at night before bed.
• The day before, or in the morning, prepare your skin by exfoliating in the shower, with a scrub that doesn’t leave an oily film. Personally I use L’Oreal Paris Exfotonic, which contains AHA that makes a chemical peel too.
• If you scrub a day before, apply a moisturizer on the areas you intend to tan, so you have even hydrated skin.
• Don’t forget to exfoliate your face as well, and by shaving you are exfoliating your neck and part of your face too.
• This exfoliation and shaving, will remove dead skin cells that would come off and give you an uneven and dirty look. As the tanning agent will color the top skin cells that peel very quickly (aprox. 7 days), it’s important to remove most of them before the tanning session so the remaining top cells that actually get colored last as long as possible.
• Right before applying the fake tan, put some moisturizer on the dry areas of your body. Your wrists and hands, elbows, knees, ankles and feet. Don’t forget to moisturizer the skin around your nails, so it won’t turn orange (Major mistake by me!)

During Tan:

• If you are using a spray formula put a towel on the floor, because it can get very messy. If you have the chance, do it in the shower base or in the tub, so you can wash it easily.
• Don’t forget to use a mitt if you have one, or use latex or vinyl gloves to prevent the famous orange hands. If you are using a gradual tanner you can skip this step if you want.
• Start to apply the product on your legs and feet. This step is first because than you don’t have to bend yourself and risk ruining the tan of the upper body.
• Apply only on the top of your feet and be careful with your ankles so it doesn’t build up any product.
• Then apply on your chest, tummy, shoulders, neck and the sides. If you have body hair, there’s no problem at all. If you are wearing gloves, pass your finger through it and try to spread the product as well as possible. When using a spray, I do think it’s a good idea to spread it with your hands on those areas.
• Then apply to your arms and your face. When putting on your face, do it from the center of your forehead and spreading out, without building it up on the hair line. Do the same on your cheeks, nose and chin.
• At last, take off your gloves and rub in some product on the back of your hands. If you use powdery gloves, pass them through water and then apply the fake tan.
• Don’t forget to wash your hands very well if you are not wearing gloves or any protection, with a lot of soap.
• Then wait the product to dry and you’re ready to go. I do think it’s better to do all of this at night before bed, and then wake up with a nice color on, rather than walk around with the always existent fake tan smell (yes…no matter how covered it is, it’s always there).

Before Tan:

• Use loose clothes and avoid sweating activities for 3 hours, as it can wash off the self tanner and leave a streaky look.
• Use a moisturizer the day after to maintain your skin smooth and moisturized. Your tan will last longer and stay better looking if you do so. Try to avoid oily lotions (with Paraffinum) and peeling agents, as Lactic acid or Glycolic acid. They will shorten your tan’s life.
• Make sure you exfoliate 2-3 times per week, so your tan will fade evenly. You can do it with the scrub, or if you use a loofah that will do the job. You only have to use de scrub if you want a more effective strategy to peel of any patches or an uneven tan.
• If you shave daily, you can use a gradual tan do apply to the area to even out the tone. Or try to mix the fake tanner with some lotion that will do the same.
• The color of your face and hands will come off first, than the rest of your body, so you might try the same strategy, of applying the gradual self tanner every two days, or whatever suit you.

A lot of celebrities use self tanner, and to list some of them, we have Hilary Duff, Miss Cheryl Cole, Olly Murs and Joe McElderry.

Cheryl Cole is known for using Rodial Brazilian Tan and Fake Bake

Hilary Duff uses Fake Bake to give her a nice color for events.

Olly Murs and Joe McElderry, both contestants on the UK X Factor, used the Vita Liberata fake tan on the show. I don't know if they still use the same brand, but they do present themselves with a nice looking tan.
Try out some fake tan and have fun!