Hi guys,
As promised, I wanted to chat to you about all things HOLIDAY FAKE TAN as I’m still getting questions about how I maintained mine while away on trips. I decided to answer your questions in a blog post so I could outline what I do (and these tips apply regardless of whether you are on holiday or not!)
While I’m on the subject of all things Dripping Gold, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who DM’d me or left comments about how much they love the tan. It’s been amazing seeing your pics and I especially love hearing about how much confidence the tan has given lots of you.
Right so back to the post. When I was in Barbados, there was not a day that went by that I didn’t get asked the question, “How do you make your tan last so well on holiday?” OR “What is your holiday tan routine?”
Every skin type and tan maintenance is different so my answer isn’t going to be a one-size-fits-all solution. This is just based on my own experience.
The day before my flight, I always apply a good layer of my ultra dark mousse (or else I will have a spray tan with my Dripping Gold spray solution). I always do two layers so I’m extra dark.
Depending on how long I am going away for, I will bring away a bottle of tan with me also to keep my colour topped up throughout the trip. If I’m going on a long trip, I will bring my chosen shade of mousse and my lotion with me. Normally when I go on a long trip, and if it’s one where I’m in and out of the water, I find my tan will usually fade around the 3rd/4th day or so. When this happens, I like to top it up with my lotion (or mousse), but as lotion is lighter, it works good as a top up. We are completely sold out of our lotion the last few weeks, so on this particular trip, I took my Ultra Dark Mousse with me, as well as my tan removal mousse.
On day 3, I was starting to notice my colour was starting to fade from being in and out of the beautiful warm sea so much. I used my tan removal mousse that night to remove my tan fully and then I applied a new full layer x2 of the Ultra Dark Mousse again. The best part of my tan is, if you look after your skin and keep your skin hydrated it naturally fades and makes it easy to apply and remove.
Two days later, after being in and out of the sea, I applied another very light layer off my Ultra Dark Mousse to keep my skin super tanned looking.
Before coming home, I also like to give my skin a nice bronze colour so I’m not paler coming home than I was when I left (typical Irish skin!) So apply mother layer if you want or if you have skipped a day 3 or 5 top up.
All throughout the trip, however, I moisturise frequently to keep my tan looking it’s absolute best and lasting as long as possible. You should get 4+ days from your tan if you are in and out of the water but the bottom line is to always bring a lotion or mousse with you so you can keep the tan topped up and have your colour looking fresh for your return home.
Commonly Asked Question: How does the tan hold up against sea water and chlorine? Will the tan be affected if I’m in and out of the sea or the swimming pool?
I personally find that my tan lasts brilliantly when I’m away on holidays. Because Dripping Gold tan wears off so well (if your skin has been prepped properly in advance of application) and because of the hydrating properties in the formula, it makes it easier to top up, or remove and reapply when you’re away away on holidays.
Naturally, being in and out of the water, whether it be the sea or the swimming pool, your tan is going to be lightened by the sea water or the chlorine, and this is the exact reason why I bring a mousse or lotion with me to keep my tan topped up.
If you are heading away for longer than a week, then you should invest in a tan removal mousse and an exfoliating mitt. As I previously said, because Dripping Gold Tan offers a nice wear off and is so hydrating, you can top up as you go, but if you’re away for longer, you can remove the original layer with the fresh glow mousse and start afresh.
Tans are reactive products and with everyone’s skin being so different, it’s hard to predict how your tan will hold up against sea water and/or chlorine. That said, we have had a lot of holiday makers compliment the tan on its staying power during beach holidays.
Don’t forget, our tan does not contain SPF so be sure to always protect your skin with a high factor SPF. I never sunbathe,so I rely heavily on my fake tan and SPF. This actually brings me on nicely to the next question we are commonly asked.
Commonly Asked Question: What is the best SPF cream to use over fake tan?
I get asked this a lot. If I were to give you a one-answer-fits-all response, I would advise you to use an oil free SPF. Oil products tend to break down fake tan which is why it’s generally advised that you steer clear of products containing oil. That said, (and I know I’ve said this before but I can’t stress it enough), everyone’s skin is different and some people will find that an oil based SPF has no affect on their tan. What works for one person might not work for another however.
I myself use P20 sunscreen and found it works fine, but after years of trialing and testing products, I have come to know exactly how my skin maintains tan, what will work on my skin, and what won’t.
Here are some oil free SPF recommendations:
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Pocket Sun Cream SPF50+
Vichy Idéal Soleil Velvety Cream SPF 50+
Vichy Idéal Soleil Invisible Hydrating Mist SPF 50+
Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50
Avène Cleanance Sunscreen SPF50+
Clinique SPF40 Face Cream 50ml
Dermalogica Oil-Free Matte SPF 30
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral SPF50+
Commonly Asked Question: Would you recommend wearing tan on your face during a holiday?
Since I originally wrote this blog post, we launched our Wonder Water Face Tan, and generally speaking, it’s amazing to wear, especially when on holidays and you want an amazing glow without having to rely on makeup.
I used to wear makeup a good bit when on holiday as I liked to have an even look and a golden glow.
Now that I have my Wonder Water however, I don’t need to wear foundation every day when on holiday as the water gives me such a lovely tanned glow.
A lot of people ask me how often they should reapply their Wonder Water. I like to top up mine every third night but go with what works for you.
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
1. Ensure all fake tan has been removed before a new application
If you are a major tan wearer, then you will know that the quickest way to lose your fake tan is to have it applied to a dry and non exfoliated skin surface. If you have patches of existing spray tans and dehydrated patchy areas, then your holiday tan will not go on nicely and this will result in a crap application that just won’t last.
Fake tans are reactive products so the condition of your skin prior to application is KEY to the kind of result you will get. Before I developed my own tan eraser, I used to simply stop wearing developing tans for a week or two prior to my holiday so that my skin would be the perfect blank canvass. Now, when I need to get rid of old tan, I apply a few pumps of my SOSUbySJ tan eraser, let it absorb for ten minutes and then hop in the shower and exfoliate away any evidence of old tan. It works so fast and so effectively so you’re not ages scrubbing the skin.
2. Get your skin hydrated
In the 10/14 days leading up to your tan application, cover your body with a really rich body moisturiser every day after your shower. I like the Body Shop Shea Butter. Try to do this day and night if you have the time.
If you don’t, once a day will do fine. Focus in on your dehydrated/problem areas that the tan tends to stick/lodge on to – for me these areas would be; my knees, my elbows, under my arms, in between my boobs and around my feet/ankles.
By doing this your skin will absorb the moisture and it will feel amazing too. Don’t forget to keep hydrated with fluids too. Your skin needs to be hydrated from within also otherwise your skin won’t be able to absorb the product correctly.
3. Exfoliate daily for a good week before you apply your holiday tan
Exfoliation is SUPER important and one of the best steps there is to take when looking for a flawless tan application. Personally, I love to use a good sugar scrub (or my tan eraser) with my SOSUbySJ exfoliating mitt. When you exfoliate correctly, it removes the dead skin cells and other impurities from the surface of your skin. Using an exfoliator will leave your skin smooth and even. That way, any tanning product you use will apply more evenly, making your tan appear flawless and natural looking.
When you don’t exfoliate correctly, you will get a patchy, uneven tan and no one wants that! Exfoliation also makes the skin appear fresher.
4. Get a good spray tan done 24 hours prior to your flight or apply your tan yourself
When it comes to spray tans, I love mine to be golden. & deep. Golden, in my opinion, is the best colour for my skin, and indeed most skin tones. It gives off a natural glow and wears off the best. When I created my own spray tan formula, the one thing I wanted was for it to be golden and glowy. If you want to find your nearest SOSUbySJ spray tan stockist, or if you want to stock the SOSUbySJ spray tan, just click HERE or drop an email to [email protected].
5. Bring away a good instant & body moisturiser with you
When I’m on holiday, each night before we head out, I will moisturise my body, head to toe with a really good moisturiser. This locks in the tan. Next I apply a small amount of instant shine over my tan to give that extra glow. We may have something new coming soon 🙂
And there you have it guys, my top tips on how I make my Dripping Gold last on holiday!
If you have any questions, just pop them in the comment box below.
