Tan & Bronzer Hacks for that Summer Glow

The warm weather and sunshine have finally arrived in the city, and we don’t know about you but we’re so ready to give ourselves a summer glow-up. Manicure, pedicure, major exfoliation sessions (the cold weather wasn’t kind to our skin), fresh highlights and a sun kissed tan are all high on our priority list right now. We’re all for that bronzed, beachy look and sadly we won’t be booking any exotic getaways just yet, but it’s ok because we’ve found the perfect fake tan that will give you that ‘just got back from the beach’ look without having to leave London. Who needs the Maldives when you can get a gorgeous tan in a can eh? Our beauty, editor, Tilly, has been road-testing the Doll Tan range and spoiler alert: she’s really quite impressed! 

With a little help from co-founders of Doll Beauty, Samantha Allen and Dannielle Gregory who have kindly shared their expert advice for applying your fake tan like a pro, we’ve been enjoying a seriously flawless tan. So, listen up ladies, this could save some serious streaks and orange patch embarrassment… 

1. Find which tan is best for you

With so many fake tan options available these days, it can feel overwhelming as to which formula will work best for your skin and complexion. There’s mousses, oils, mists and lotions, but which one is the best when it comes to the perfect fake tan…?

Samantha and Danielle recommend a mousse due to its light texture that won’t feel heavy or sticky on your skin. Go with a reputable brand like Upper East Side Tan. It’s also easier to see where you’ve applied the mousse as opposed to a mist which could end up leaving you looking like Ross Gellar after a visit to the tanning booth. Never ideal.

2. It’s all about the prep

The prep is almost, if not more important than applying the actual fake tan itself! Your skin needs to be clean and rid of any dead skin cells and previous fake tan otherwise your new glow won’t look quite so glam and no one wants a dodgy tan.

For this, Samantha and Danielle recommend a quality exfoliator or exfoliating gloves to transform your skin into a silky-smooth base ready for application time.

Once you’ve exfoliated, the next step in your prep is to apply a light layer of moisturiser to your skin, this will ensure an even more flawless and long-lasting tan.

Pro tip: don’t forget those awkward areas of your body including your ankles, feet and hands, they require a little more attention but it will be so worth it. 

3. Get your tan on

Now you’re suitably prepped, the next step is applying the fake tan itself, and this doesn’t have to be a tiring process thanks to the wonderful Doll Tan Mitt. According to Samantha and Danielle, applying two layers is absolutely key to a gorgeous tan and you should leave your first layer of tan to dry for 15 minutes before going ahead with the second layer.

Pro tip: always make sure you apply your fake tan in front of a full-length mirror just to make sure you haven’t missed any spots!

Natural light is also best too, and sometimes artificial light can look deceiving and you may end up way more bronzed than you’d anticipated.

Once you’ve applied your second layer, grab a body brush (or your mitt if you don’t have one) and subtly blend in the tan, ensuring that all areas of your skin are covered and there are no obvious lines. Overnight, sleep in something baggy like an oversized t shirt (avoid any tight or light clothing) that won’t rub against your tan too much, then take a shower over a bath the following morning to best preserve your tan.

And there you have it; the perfect summer glow awaits…

This fake tan definitely has the YCB team seal of approval, and if you want to achieve a beautiful bronzed look too then head over to dollbeauty.com to find out more and discover the full range of Doll Beauty tanning products and cosmetics.

Happy tanning, lovely readers!

Tilly-Jayne Kidman

Tilly is a graduate in fashion marketing and currently works in social media. She writes for various publications including the Huffington Post as well as her own fashion and lifestyle blog tillyjayne.com. In her spare time she's usually wandering around her home city of Cambridge, making travel plans or finding a new restaurant to try out.