Fake tan help please!

sophiegrace543
sophiegrace543 Posts: 143 Member
in Chit-Chat
Hi!
I'm going as my friend's date to a ball on Friday night and the combination of wearing a summery dress, being very pale (my friend described me as 'blue'!) and living in England means that I've been using fake tan for a few days. After a slightly orange start, I've basically got an even tan in the colour I want but there are a few finishing touches that I wondered if anyone could help me with!
- One arm seems darker than the other but I don't want to not do the darker one in case I end up with the OTHER one being too dark...
- I think I must have been splashed by water while it was still drying because I have some paler spots on my chest, any advice on how to make them blend in?

I've got a Garnier gel and spray and some Superdrug tanning wipes - which were very cheap and probably the best tanning product I've tried!
I've also got a Garnier face only wipe sachet I'm going to use tomorrow...has anyone ever tried that?

Finally: I hate my arms and I'm wearing a strappy dress that actually looks good from most angles - can anyone suggest some arm flattering positions I can put my arms in without looking awkward?

Sorry about such a long post!

Replies

  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    O.o
    Why you would WANT to go through that trouble, is beyond me... Screw what the "friend" thinks.. Be yourself >.>
  • maz504
    maz504 Posts: 450
    Meh, my skin is super duper pink-hued and so a spray tan usually evens it out and makes me more confident. I don't dare try the at-home stuff though. Go to a tanning salon and get a spray tan. And have fun!
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I was in a wedding this past weekend and opted for a professional spray tan at a tanning salon. Turned out great and I had a nice, even tan in minutes. I've still got a little bit of it, but it's fading. The products you use on your own always disappoint me.

    As for arm positions - stand up straight, shoulders back, chest out, arms relaxed at your sides. Insta-slim.
  • sophiegrace543
    sophiegrace543 Posts: 143 Member
    Oh, I realise that comment made it look like I'm doing it because of what my friend thinks - he was only joking!
    I do it for myself, I personally think I look SO much better with a tan and I've not been well recently, which has left me extremely pale. I get comments daily asking if I'm okay because I look 'ill', even when I'm feeling brill!
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    Oh, I realise that comment made it look like I'm doing it because of what my friend thinks - he was only joking!
    I do it for myself, I personally think I look SO much better with a tan and I've not been well recently, which has left me extremely pale. I get comments daily asking if I'm okay because I look 'ill', even when I'm feeling brill!
    Good answer then.
    Because if it was for the friend.. That "friend" needs to go, but if it was all jokingly, yeah, much better XD
    I wouldn't keep a friend around if they judged something that cannot be helped XD
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    I second the go to a spray tan place-I always end up with splotches when I do it myself. As far as poses go, if you're talking about for pictures, angle your body towards the camera and put your hand on the arm closest to the photographer on your hip with your thumb in front-makes your triceps and biceps look good (other arm behind the person next to you or just hanging by your side). If it's just in general, truly don't worry about it!
  • motivatedmartha
    motivatedmartha Posts: 1,108 Member
    My daughter used a gel type make-up to even out her tan for her prom - I think it was coppertone. They do a range of colours so you can get a good skin tone match - apply it well before dressing so it dries - it stayed put all evening (and at overnight after prom party) and helped even out her tan lines.

    However - there's nothing wrong with pale and interesting - looks really pretty with summer dresses and if that's your natural colour - go for it.
    ETA with the Coppertone make-up - if it turns out wrong you just wash and have another go - exfoliate and moisturise well whatever tanning method you use
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    To make them even, spread it evenly.. if by any chance there are spots, or blotches, you can use lemon juice to lighten it off the skin a bit :)
  • sophiegrace543
    sophiegrace543 Posts: 143 Member
    This is all very useful and encouraging, thank you!
    Wish I could get a spray tan but I don't have the time before - or the money! All the salons around me are very expensive, at least £30 for a tan :(
  • newbeginningsbob
    newbeginningsbob Posts: 25 Member
    Moisturize the arm that is darker to retain the colour so it doesn't become patchy from dryness. On the arm that is lighter, put a small amount of fake tan on it. Repeat until is the same colour as other arm.
    On chest, lightly exfoliate around the lighter spots and apply a small amount of tan. Repeat until even.
    If all else fails, buy a bottle of Sally Henson's Airbrush legs in Tan. On day of wedding, using small amounts, even out the areas that need it.
  • sophiegrace543
    sophiegrace543 Posts: 143 Member
    If you haven't noticed, I'm so white I make snow look tan. I had a skin cancer scare a while back that left me a little bit nervous. So I say just be yourself! Fake tans look fake anyway, and there's nothing attractive about artifice.

    There is most definitely such a thing as "pale beauty."

    I used to LOVE my paleness but when it started to make me look sickly and, well, my friend was kinda right, 'blue', it does take some time to *ahem* embrace. Although I like to look a bit darker, I refuse to use sunbeds and I'm not one of those who sees the appeal of spending all day on holiday under the incredibly hot sun - not worth the effects it can have, plus I want to stay wrinkle free as long as possible!
  • sophiegrace543
    sophiegrace543 Posts: 143 Member
    Moisturize the arm that is darker to retain the colour so it doesn't become patchy from dryness. On the arm that is lighter, put a small amount of fake tan on it. Repeat until is the same colour as other arm.
    On chest, lightly exfoliate around the lighter spots and apply a small amount of tan. Repeat until even.

    Emphasis on the 'SMALL', methinks hahaha, that was definitely my problem the other day! Thanks for the advice :)
  • Rogiefreida
    Rogiefreida Posts: 567 Member
    For any fake tanning, exfoliating and moisturizing are your best friends. :)

    I also just want to say that it makes my heart happy to see people either safe "tanning" by using self tanners or embracing their paleness and not advocating tanning beds. I am a melanoma survivor and I wish people would realize a tan is not worth it. So thanks people for making my day!
  • surfinbird_1981
    surfinbird_1981 Posts: 946 Member
    Hi!
    I'm going as my friend's date to a ball on Friday night and the combination of wearing a summery dress, being very pale (my friend described me as 'blue'!) and living in England means that I've been using fake tan for a few days. After a slightly orange start, I've basically got an even tan in the colour I want but there are a few finishing touches that I wondered if anyone could help me with!
    - One arm seems darker than the other but I don't want to not do the darker one in case I end up with the OTHER one being too dark...
    - I think I must have been splashed by water while it was still drying because I have some paler spots on my chest, any advice on how to make them blend in?

    I've got a Garnier gel and spray and some Superdrug tanning wipes - which were very cheap and probably the best tanning product I've tried!
    I've also got a Garnier face only wipe sachet I'm going to use tomorrow...has anyone ever tried that?

    Finally: I hate my arms and I'm wearing a strappy dress that actually looks good from most angles - can anyone suggest some arm flattering positions I can put my arms in without looking awkward?

    Sorry about such a long post!

    Rimmel instant is pretty good.
  • lisautley
    lisautley Posts: 1
    Just learned a trick with home self tanners. Use a magic eraser (cleaning sponge) to even out streaks... :)
  • sophiegrace543
    sophiegrace543 Posts: 143 Member

    Rimmel instant is pretty good.

    I think I have some of that in a cupboard! It's the darkest shade though because I needed it for a show :laugh:
  • surfinbird_1981
    surfinbird_1981 Posts: 946 Member

    Rimmel instant is pretty good.

    I think I have some of that in a cupboard! It's the darkest shade though because I needed it for a show :laugh:

    :laugh: I've not tried the darkest one, I like it though, goes on well and seems to last the night.
  • sophiegrace543
    sophiegrace543 Posts: 143 Member

    I also just want to say that it makes my heart happy to see people either safe "tanning" by using self tanners or embracing their paleness and not advocating tanning beds. I am a melanoma survivor and I wish people would realize a tan is not worth it. So thanks people for making my day!

    Congrats on being a survivor! :heart:
    I wish the same, especially among my age group. We always had healthy eating drilled into us but never how to protect your skin, which can have even worse effects!

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