Breadcrumbs ![A Head-To-Toe Guide To Fake Tanning](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DXQDMrRJtemXDvnLYVpEuQhW61w=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2Fsl-gold-180526-site-assets-tanning-hero-mobile-hero.jpg) ![A Head-To-Toe Guide To Fake Tanning](https://media.sheerluxe.com/C9lj4pQfBqVGaXEEGLgl1RPMsO8=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2Fsl-gold-180526-site-assets-tanning-hero-mobile-hero.jpg) Image: @THREEWARRIORS [Bath & Body](/beauty/bath-body) / 18 May 2026 # A Head-To-Toe Guide To Fake Tanning As summer approaches and the temperature rises, the temptation to turn to fake tan is hard to resist. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first timer, achieving that flawless, sun-kissed finish is all about preparation and technique. Before you get started, here’s our guide to a seamless application. [ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467) Image: @THREEWARRIORS All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. ## Preparation Is Key If you want your tan to apply seamlessly and have longevity, skin preparation is paramount. This is even more important on more mature skin that’s prone to dehydration. Using a gentle but effective scrub before your application buffs away dead skin cells and leaves a more even surface for the product to sink into. You can also use an acid toner for really dry areas like the elbows – just ensure this is done well in advance of putting your tanning product on as, if the acid is still on the skin, it will likely not take in that area. Post-scrub, you want to make sure the skin is well hydrated but not greasy. A simple, oil-free moisturiser will do the trick. ![Moisturising Lotion from CeraVe](https://media.sheerluxe.com/iHBwbcIG-uMOy295ezhVTrnohBs=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F1-cerave-moisturising-lotion-new.png) [#### Moisturising Lotion](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fcerave-moisturising-lotion-236ml-10246703) ##### CeraVe £12.50 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![The Foaming Body Scrub from AKT](https://media.sheerluxe.com/oJr7gJeDBLP3_ejS6BtiPskK_0E=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F2-the-foaming-body-scrub.png) [#### The Foaming Body Scrub](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fbath-body%2Fbody-cleanser%2Fscrubs-exfoliants%2Fthe-foaming-body-scrub-sc.02-after-thunder-UK200061840.html) ##### AKT £44 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner from The Ordinary](https://media.sheerluxe.com/_LwFJUI4bFoh-a4oXnuxtT1Ea4Q=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F3-the-ordinary-glycolic-acid-7-exfoliating-toner.png) [#### Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fthe-ordinary-glycolic-acid-7-exfoliating-solution-100ml-10335078) ##### The Ordinary £8 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Marrakech Silk Exfoliating Jelly Body Balm from Whind](https://media.sheerluxe.com/wkxWlDvTrr_q_eTJNNFcRT05olE=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F4-whind-marrakech-silk-exfoliating-jelly-body-balm.png) [#### Marrakech Silk Exfoliating Jelly Body Balm](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fbath-body%2Fbody-cleanser%2Fscrubs-exfoliants%2Fmarrakech-silk-exfoliating-jelly-body-balm-MUK200053075.html) ##### Whind £35 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ## Invest In a Tanning Tool Kit Aside from the right tanning solution, there are a few other items you should arm yourself with. Firstly, you can add an exfoliating mitt into your prep instead of or alongside your body scrub. This is especially useful for areas prone to dryness or bumpy skin that can use a more rigorous approach, like the back of the arms or lower legs. When it comes to applying your tan your best two options are a mitt (best used with a mousse to really help spread it evenly) or a brush. An angled one is great for getting into the contours of your body – just make sure you’re buffing in circular motions instead of just swiping up and down to avoid any lines showing up. Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to have a back-up plan in place via a self-tan eraser – despite the best products and intentions, everyone makes mistakes… ![Transforming Exfoliating Body Mitt from Ameliorate](https://media.sheerluxe.com/zYC4Gku0fIUUSqRbGHgJUf4r1cs=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F1-ameliorate-transforming-exfoliating-body-mitt.png) [#### Transforming Exfoliating Body Mitt](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fp%2Fameliorate-exfoliating-body-mitt%2F15232451%2F) ##### Ameliorate £10 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Self Tan Eraser from Bondi Sands](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Yrueg_RHDHj7BKH-GIYewgHljo4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F2-bondi-sands-self-tan-eraser-new.png) [#### Self Tan Eraser](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fp%2Fbondi-sands-self-tan-eraser-200ml%2F11563756%2F) ##### Bondi Sands £13.12 *(was £17.49)* [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Kabuki Brush from Tanologist](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Nh8W4UwGfzzVCH5Y4q7CzbNmoJI=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F4-tanologist-kabuki-brush.png) [#### Kabuki Brush](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fp%2Ftanologist-kabuki-brush%2F13188287%2F) ##### Tanologist £12.99 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Eco-Friendly Tanning Mitt from Three Warriors](https://media.sheerluxe.com/CuOMPgpAoyPYgXy8B5TXuZu99kM=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F3-three-warriors-eco-friendly-tanning-mitt.png) [#### Eco-Friendly Tanning Mitt](https://selfridges.prf.hn/click/camref:1100loTp9/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.selfridges.com%2FGB%2Fen%2Fproduct%2Fthree-warriors-eco-friendly-tanning-mitt_R04643382%2F) ##### Three Warriors £15 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") Advertisement Scroll to continue ## Be Choosey With Complexion Products As tempting as it may be, you shouldn’t be using your body tanners on your face. Some of the formulas can be quite dehydrating, especially those with heavy doses of the tanning agent DHA, which could lead to a very patchy finish or even irritation on the more sensitive skin on your face. Our favourite format of facial tan is drops. You simply add a few to your daily moisturiser or serum –how many is up to you and this may take a little trial and error – which means the colour is delivered to hydrated skin. The result is a buildable, natural looking hue that’s completely customisable. You can also achieve this with a hydrating mist, a format that’s useful for topping up areas like the shoulders and neck. ![Gradual Face Tanning Drops from Bare By Vogue](https://media.sheerluxe.com/xuEe2Y2Vn-k-uG4fWxtr1sKRCZ8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F1-bare-by-vogue-face-tanning-drops-mediumdark.png) [#### Gradual Face Tanning Drops](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=53096&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.next.co.uk%2Fstyle%2Fsu525565%2Fau6175) ##### Bare By Vogue £21 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Golden Nights Sleep Repair Tan Drops from Self Glow By James Read](https://media.sheerluxe.com/F7sdlKHsgSqIrjn6FvWREB-b8PM=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F2-self-glow-by-james-read-golden-nights-ps39-spacenk.png) [#### Golden Nights Sleep Repair Tan Drops](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fsun-tan%2Ftanning%2Fself-tanning%2Fgolden-nights-sleep-repair-tan-drops-MUK200056339.html) ##### Self Glow By James Read £39 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![The Face Iluminating Self-Tanning Drops from Tan-Luxe](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ovU5jNvIUJZx2NLUVsUWDyJJePU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F4-tan-luxe-the-face-illuminating-tan-drops.png) [#### The Face Iluminating Self-Tanning Drops](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Ftan-luxe-the-face-illuminating-self-tanning-drops-light-medium-10263873) ##### Tan-Luxe £28.80 *(were £36)* [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist from St.Tropez](https://media.sheerluxe.com/MREL-wtv5hALSaI_jEo2WQJUHAs=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F3-st-tropez-self-tan-purity-face-mist.png) [#### Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fst-tropez-self-tan-purity-bronzing-water-face-mist-80ml-10249071) ##### St.Tropez £16 *(was £24)* [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ## Consider What Format Works Best For You With so many brands and formulas out there, it can be tricky to know where to start if you’re a tanning novice. First timers should look for options that have a guide colour, so you can actually see where you’ve applied the product or if you’ve missed spots. Mousses are famously easy to blend (especially with the aid of a mitt), but maybe start with the lighter shades until you get the hang of it. Alternatively, a light gel will give a gentle wash of colour that you can layer up or, if you want to go even lighter, a gradual tanning lotion gives you the ability to build up to your desired shade. ![Self-Tanning Fresh Gel from Clarins](https://media.sheerluxe.com/LC2JMSANV4V45qz6yOe7iYamluk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F1-clarins-self-tanning-tinted-gel.png) [#### Self-Tanning Fresh Gel](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=37335&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clarins.co.uk%2Fself-tanning-fresh-gel%2F80121531.html) ##### Clarins £12.50 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![30 Minute Express Self-Tanning Mousse from Isle Of Paradise](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Fwvn9OU912l0s3BiWpfcsocsuT4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F2-isle-of-paradise-express-mousse.png) [#### 30 Minute Express Self-Tanning Mousse](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fisle-of-paradise-express-self-tanning-mousse-200ml-10322959) ##### Isle Of Paradise £16.46 *(was £21.95)* [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Tanning Mousse from Tandae](https://media.sheerluxe.com/jQlPlpBCGhV652ALB3VqWRGk1cU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2Fnew-dark-tandae-mousse.png) [#### Tanning Mousse](https://tandae.com/collections/tanning-collection/products/tandae-self-tanning-mousse-dark) ##### Tandae £24 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") ![Fabulous Gradual Tanning Lotion from Vita Liberata](https://media.sheerluxe.com/d2O9Vhytj9TWNbn3Ul9FZSmCSE8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F3-vita-liberata-untinted-fabulous-gradual-tanning-lotion.png) [#### Fabulous Gradual Tanning Lotion](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fvita-liberata-fabulous-gradual-tanning-lotion-200ml-10306321) ##### Vita Liberata £8 *(was £16)* [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52467 "Add product to my favourites") [Skip to the rest of this article](#sidebar-bottom) ## 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