By Nilo Haq

There’s a certain amount of guilt that comes with getting a great suntan. The sun is the #1 cause of wrinkles and can lead to major skin damage.

We all love the glow the sun brings to our skin, but once in a while – why not fake it?!

The trick to achieving the perfect fake tan is to make it look natural – so no one is able to tell. This means the right color, no streaks or orange fingers! Follow these easy steps to ensure the most natural fake tan.

Step 1: Prep

Use a good body moisturizer when you step out of the shower or before you sleep because dry patchy skin won’t respond well to a faux glow.

Step 2: Exfoliate!

Scrub off dead skin cells because applying a fake tan on dry or uneven skin will result in a patchy and uneven looking tan.

Step 3: Moisturize

Cover yourself in a good moisturizer, particularly on any areas that get extra dry like your knees, elbows and feet.

Step 4: Protect

Wear latex gloves! You can later use small wool pads to apply a bit of tanner on the back of your hands. Also, apply small amounts of Vaseline along your hairline and your brows to protect your hair.

Step 5: Buff

Your fake tan will look unbelievably natural with a little extra buffing. Use a buffing mitt to ensure there aren’t any streaks and there’s one solid shade of color.

Step 6: Wear Black

After you’re done, wear loose dark clothing to make sure that any initial color that may come off won’t stain your clothing.

Step 7: Polish & Reapply

Maintain a routine of gentle exfoliation and lots of moisturizing. When the color begins to fade don’t hesitate to add a fresh coat.

Other Fake Tanning Options

If self-tanners seem too complicated or messy, don’t stress as there are many other options in the market:

Airbrush Tanning

Airbrush tanning is an easy and effective way to get a healthy looking tan. The sprays temporarily make your skin golden and then provide a color that looks exactly like a natural tan. It lasts for 5-10 days depending on how you maintain it.

This treatment is readily available in Jeddah at most of the salons and generally costs 300SR for the full body.

Bronze Makeup

There are some incredible bronzing makeup products available, but the best is Guerlain, as they have mastered bronze foundations, powders and pretty much everything you need to look naturally tanned.

Guerlain is available at Paris Gallery, Sephora, Faces, Gazzaz, Debenhams and Va Va Voom.