Is Your Fake Tan Fooling Anyone?

Okay, although indoor tanning is way safer than baking out in the sun, nobody wants to look like they've been applying their tan from a bottle. Nobody wants their fake tan to be easily distinguishable from a natural glow. Let's admit it, we've all spotted that sad person with the deep orange tan walking around thinking they look hot, when the truth is that they look like a burnt Oompa Lompa. If the tanning bug has bitten your bum, here's some good advice that will help you keep your tan looking au naturelle.

Shading
One of the best tricks to making it seem like you're getting your tan the natural way to all your friends is by starting with a self tanner in a light shade and working your way up to darker shades. Start with a shade that is one level darker than your skin at the moment. Wear that for a couple of weeks then upgrade to a shade that is two or three levels darker than your untanned skin.

Shade is also important in terms of color. Although most self tanners today have gotten a good grasp of a natural-looking color, it is always a good idea to use a high quality product. This will help ensure high quality results.

Know When to Stop
Before you start the tanning process, take a Polaroid of yourself in natural lighting. Keep this photo near you for reference as you tan in order to remind yourself what you normally look like. This will help you avoid getting too tan. Never go more than 4 shades darker than your natural skin color. When you get too dark you start looking like you have a fake tan.

Your face should also never get as tanned as your arms and legs. Indoor tanner tends to become concentrated in areas with as many nooks and crannies as your face. Always keep it one to two shades lighter than the rest of your body as a very tanned face can give you away immediately. You can always adjust the glow on your face using makeup bronzers and blushes.

Keep it Even
Another tell-tale sign of a fake tan is unevenness. Streaking and dark areas can ruin your overall look so it's always important to keep your eye out for them. As your self tanner is drying, use a small mirror to check your back areas and smooth over any stripes or runs. Also, some areas such as your elbows, knees, and ankles can get too dark. Use a towel to remove excess tanner from these spots or use Windex to remove it once it's dry.

Indoor tanning is easy but takes a little practice and lots of precaution. Use these tips to keep yourself from becoming that tanning tragedy we all know so well. Once you've got the hang of it, keep reminding yourself of your natural goal and follow the advice above. It'll help you fool everyone with your glowing tan.