How to Make Fake Tan Last Longer | EGO Shoes

It’s summer and this means short skirts, heels, shorts and sandals. It also means it’s time to get those legs out. For those of us who hibernate throughout the winter and haven’t touched a razor since before the pandemic began (we may as well be wearing a pair of pale furry leggings at this point), this could be a scary time. But don’t worry girl, we got you. We’ve pulled together all the tricks for how to make your fake tan last longer (you’ll have to deal with your hairy legs on your own).

 

Tip 1. Exfoliate before you start 

The day before you tan, make sure you exfoliate. This removes any dead skin and ensures that your skin is smooth for the best application possible. The tan will absorb easily and your tan will last even longer. If you’re using a retinol, or any face or body products that have AHAs in them, like glycolic, lactic, and citric acids, avoid them for at least 24 hours before you tan.

Tip 2. Assess your hair removal routine

The first rule of tanning is hair removal. When shaving your skin becomes irritated, which means your tan won’t be glowing. To prolong your tan, try waxing 24 hours before. You won’t have to touch the razor for a few weeks so you can stay golden longer.

 

Tip 3. Take short showers

A long hot shower is our idea of heaven but it’s definitely tan hell. Your skin will become dry and your tan will start to flake so best to skip the baths for a little while. The same goes for long dips in chlorinated pools and splashing around in seawater, if you want that glow to last.

 

Tip 4. Use gentle soaps

Moisturising shower balms will help enhance your tan rather than strip it. Harsh soap and exfoliators will start to remove your tan and leave you patchy.

Tip 5. Avoid saunas and steam rooms

Skip the saunas and steam rooms because sweating can lead to your tan fading unevenly (this also sounds like a valid excuse to skip your next run too). 

 

Tip 6. Moisturise  

Use an oil free moisturiser everyday to lock in your tan (oils break down the pigments in the tan). Never miss this step if you really want your tan to last as long as possible.

Tip 7. Regularly top up 

Your tan is going to fade at some point no matter how much you prep so the key to this process running smoothly is using a gradual tanner. As your tan comes off you can use a tanning moisturiser over the top to colour correct and boost your tans brightness

TOP TIP To prolong the sun kissed effect, add a teaspoon of gradual tan into aftersun. The glow of the self-tan will revive the pigmentation, while the aftersun will moisturize and prolong the tan.

OUR FAVE TANS

 

 

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Our girl Molly Mae’s tan is one of our faves. We love how bronzed and glowing we look when we’ve got it on. You can also pair it with Molly-Mae’s ‘Scrub Me’ and ‘Smooth Me’ which help with pre-tan and post tan routines. Check out our Molly Mae blogs and collections here.

Another of our go-to tans is the BellaMianta tanning water. This is perfect for your face and is so hydrating, you’ll need no foundation on after you’ve applied it. The gradual tanning water is from BellaMianta’s collaboration with our girl Maura. No wonder we love it so much! check out our collaboration with Maura here.

 

An Ego Squad favourite for keeping our legs looking bronzed. Tanologist’s express tan mousse develops in two hours and the best part is it won’t get on your sheets because it’s applied as a clear foam. It lasts up to a week and fades evenly but if you follow our tips you’ll have no trouble be a glowing goddess all the time.

 

Once your tan is looking perfect make sure you show it off properly and treat yourself to new summer sandals, you could grab a pair of heels too to make sure those legs are looking amazingggg!