AB Staffers Share Their Best Fake Tan Tips (& The Common Mistakes to Avoid)

For fair-skinned havers and folks yearning for a bronzey glow (sans the sun damage, of course), fake tan is a must-have. 

Whether you’re looking to warm sallow skin, top-up your tan, prolong that spray tan from 6 days ago, or brighten your complexion, I can guarantee there’s a fake tan product out there for it. 

With that being said, I’m confident just about every fake tanner has experienced one or all of the common at-home tanning mistakes at least once in their lives.

I'm talking the dreaded fake tan hands, bright amber knees and ankles, or bio-hazard orange eyebrows, or water drip marks after getting caught in the rain.

Once you’ve been (figuratively) burnt before, it can be hard to want to give something a go again.

Trust me, I know. 

So, in order to help heal some of your long-lasting wounds caused by fake tan mishaps, I turned to my fellow AB staffers - a team of fake tan lovers, experts and connoisseurs - for their top fake tan tips. 

From the best fake tan products, to tips on how to fake tan at home, here's what they told me.

1. "If you're using a face tan serum - my go-to is the Tan-Luxe Super Glow Serum 30ml - don't forget... you still have to wash your hands! Stained cuticles wasn't quite the low-key effortless beauty look I was going for.” - Amy.

2. “Don't ever moisturise straight after washing off an express tan (1hr, 2hr etc.). If you've slept in it, you can moisturise after washing off, but all tans require development time regardless of whether they're express or not.” - Joanna.

3. “My top tip to prolonging my tan is to swap out my moisturiser for a gradual tanner every other night. I reach for the Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Lotion Skin Illuminator 150mL as it allows me to prolong my tan, without making my knees and elbows orange and flaky like many other gradual tanners!” - Nikkita.

4. “Use a fluffy brush to blend tan on your hands and neck for a smooth, even finish." - Jordi.

5. "My fave tan is Tuscan Tan Self Tan Foam 150ml because you can sleep overnight in it, and it won't stain the sheets! There's also minimal smell, which is a plus!" - Anika.

6. "For an even tan every time, make sure you exfoliate your ankles, wrists, knees and elbows before applying your tan.” - Megan.

7. "Shaving your legs is a great way to exfoliate, but make sure you do so at least 24 hours before fake tanning. Otherwise, the tan will settle into your pores, which can result in little brown dots. Similarly, don’t wax right before applying fake tan. Yes, I have done this, and it resulted in a red rash." - Hannah.

8. "My hot tip is to use a full-body chemical exfoliant pre-tan like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner (with a spray nozzle to help you reach all areas of your back!), or the Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% if you're looking for a physical and chemical combo." - Sam.

9. "Rub moisturiser between your palms and then swipe under your pits before applying your tan of choice so you don’t get orange pits." - Joanna.

10. "When I want to make my legs match my arms, Bondi Sands Gradual Tan Milk 375ml is my go-to. For some reason, I can never get my body to be all one colour, so I love this as a shortcut to being tanned, without having to commit to the whole exfoliating, applying, and rinsing ordeal." - Liz.

11. "I always apply a layer of Lanolips 101 Ointment The Original Multipurpose Superbalm on my eyebrows (especially if they have just been tinted) before tanning my face, so they don't grab the tan and end up looking brorange.” - Sam.

12. "I personally love a foam like Loving Tan 2HR Express - Dark 200ml with a guide colour so you can see where you've already applied product. Stops with streaks and unevenness." - Maddy.

13. "I'm too lazy and not fussed enough for regular fake tanning, but I will use a gradual tan for a few days before going on a holiday or before an event. The key is still finding the right product for your skin undertones. I am very fair and my blue veins peek through, I just tried Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Lotion Tinted Skin Perfector 150mL and the pigments help to counteract the blue/purple undertones." - Amy.

14. "During the warmer months, my face is often 2-3 shades lighter than the rest of my body. When I want to add a bit of colour back to my face but don't want to use face tan or foundation, I'll add a few drops of Tan-Luxe Super Gloss SPF30 Bronzing Drops 30ml to my moisturiser. I love applying it under foundation for an extra dewy, glowy and bronzed look."- Nikkita.

15. "My big fake tan hack is using baby powder on my elbows and knees to stop creasing before jumping back into my trackies or robe after applying." - Maddy.

16. “I exfoliate my elbows, knees and feet aggressively before I apply fake tan.” - Danielle.

17. "If you're religious with your SPF (which you should be), your face will always be paler than your body. Eco Tan Organic Face Tan Water is amazing for adding warmth back into your skin. This handy product is so easy to use and helps me go makeup-free whenever I like, without feeling like a tired ghost." - Liz.

18. "When I need to leave the house makeup-free and glowy, I swear by TAN-LUXE THE FACE 30ml - I apply it in the morning and it's bloody beautiful by the arvo! Tan-Luxe The Water 200ml is also great because it's light to apply, manageable in areas that tan can cling to (elbows, knees and ankles), and does not smell like icky coconut!" - Laura.

19. "Going out to get a spray tan, but it's raining? Unless you know the rain will stop, I almost wouldn't bother because rain drops on a fresh spray tan may leave marks behind. If you are in a pickle, use a buffing foundation brush to go over any rain marks on your skin when you get home to blend everything together. Godspeed!" - Amy.

And there you have it, friends!

A tried and tested list of our top fake tanning tips and products.

Happy self tanning!