New Year’s Eve is our next opportunity to drink a little fizz, eat a lot of beige, and catch up with old friends. It’s also the last opportunity to do all of that and justify it within the ‘festive celebrations’ category. Whatever your plans may be (pub, club, sofa) last year, we saw bookings for spray tans at their highest this coming weekend. So, if you’re hitting the spray tan booth, here’s how to prep (and keep that colour lasting right through to 2019).
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Exfoliate first
To make your tan last longer (and apply to a more even base), exfoliating is a must. An in-shower scrub will slough away dead skin cells settled on your body, and reveal the fresh skin beneath. I’d suggest doing so a few times in the lead up to your tan appointment, it’ll remove any lingering fake tan and leave an ideal base for tan application. You’ll also feel extra soft.
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2 Do your hair removal in advance
If you’re into the hair-removal thing, make sure it’s all done by 24 hours before your appointment. This will give your hair follicles a chance to settle down, and prevent that speckled-situation that can often arise post-tan. That’s your tan seeping into the pores, FYI. Follow with a rich moisturiser focused on the dry bits (like elbows and knees).
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3 Have a shower before you go
But, avoid washing with oil-based products. This doesn’t mix well with spray tan formula, and can leave a lingering residue on the skin that will interfere with tan development. The same goes post-tan FYI, oil can strip the colour.
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4 Remove all your makeup
Time to fresh-face it. Your therapist will be able to offer cleansing wipes to remove any makeup, but save a little time and head to the salon foundation-free. Wipe under the arms too, deodorant residue might leave its mark on your shiny, new tan. Scrub, scrub.
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5 Choose your accessories wisely
Alright, this one could sting – flip flops are my top suggestion. Or a pair of those fluffy sandals you’ve probably ‘borrowed’ from a previous spa trip. This will stop the tan rubbing off courtesy of your Stan Smiths. Same goes with your bag choice – a cross-body strap may rub at the top level tan colour. Clutch bag, your time is now.