You know when a tan goes on ridiculously well? No weird dark elbows, no old tan peeking through, no patches that have you wondering what went wrong.
Yeah, that's usually not luck.
Good tan starts with good prep.
But before you start clearing your schedule, we're not talking about a 12-step routine. You just need to know what to do and when to do it.
Planning on tanning tomorrow? Here's the plan.
48 HOURS BEFORE: Wax now, tan later
If waxing is part of your routine, get it done at least 48 hours before tanning.
It gives your skin time to settle before you apply your tan and means you're not waxing away your brand-new colour afterwards.
Don't wax? Don't start just because you're tanning. Body hair isn't going to stop you from getting a good tan.
24 HOURS BEFORE: Get the old tan OFF
Fresh tan over old, patchy tan? We don't recommend it.
Around 24 hours before tanning, grab your exfoliating mitt and give your entire body a proper exfoliation. We're removing old tan and dead skin cells to create a smooth, even base for the next one.
Got a few stubborn patches refusing to leave?
Apply our Tan Remover + Primer, leave it for around five minutes, then go in with your exfoliating mitt. Much easier than scrubbing at the same patch until you regret ever tanning in the first place.
And leave the oily body scrubs for another day. They can leave a residue behind on your skin, which isn't exactly the blank canvas we're going for.
ALSO 24 HOURS BEFORE: Shave
Razor girlies, this one's yours.
Shave around 24 hours before tanning, ideally after you've exfoliated.
This gives your skin time to settle before your tan goes on and means you won't need to run a razor over your fresh colour the next morning and accidentally exfoliate all your hard work off.
And if you don't shave? You don't need to start, simply skip this step .
BEFORE TAN DAY: Finish the rest of your beauty admin
Consider fake tan the full stop at the end of your beauty routine.
Wash your hair, do your shaving, book your waxing, get your brows sorted, do whatever else you've been putting off; Then tan.
TAN DAY: We're going in clean
Your skin needs to be clean, completely dry and product-free before you tan.
That means removing your:
- Deodorant
- Moisturiser
- Perfume
- Makeup
- Body oils or other products sitting on the skin
Been at work all day? Hit the gym? It's 34 degrees outside and you've been sweating just existing?
Have a quick lukewarm or cold rinse before tanning, using water only; no body wash, soap or other products. Then give your skin plenty of time to completely dry before applying your tan.
We're just getting everything off the skin so your tan has a clean base to work with.
10–15 MINUTES BEFORE: Do the dry spot check
Elbows, Knees, Ankles, Knuckles.
These guys have a habit of stealing more tan than they were allocated.
If they're feeling dry, apply a tiny amount of moisturiser around 10–15 minutes before tanning. This creates a little buffer so those areas don't grab too much colour.
We're lightly moisturising, not marinating in moisturiser.
And if your skin isn't particularly dry? You don't need to do this step just because you've seen everyone else doing it.
YOUR POST-TAN OUTFIT MATTERS
Whether you've just stepped out of a spray tan appointment or finished applying your tan at home, what you wear while it develops matters.
Please don't immediately squeeze yourself into your tightest pair of leggings.
Think dark, loose and comfortable. Oversized tees, loose trackies, roomy dresses, PJs and hoodies are your friends here.
Cotton and bamboo are great options. Satin, silk, velvet and anything tight or restrictive? Save them for after your first rinse.
If you can comfortably go without a bra, even better. Fewer straps, bands and tight clothing pressing against your developing tan = fewer opportunities for unwanted lines or rubbing.
And if you need to head outside before rinsing, check the weather first. Rain forecast? Cover up with loose clothing, opt for enclosed shoes if needed and grab an umbrella.
Because nothing humbles a freshly applied tan quite like getting caught in an unexpected downpour.
THE FINAL CHECK
Before we get this tan on:
Old tan gone? Yep.
Exfoliated yesterday? Yep.
Hair removal done? Yep.
Skin clean and dry? Yep.
Deodorant and perfume off? Yep.
Dry spots sorted? Yep.
Jewellery off? Yep.
Okayyyy. Now we're ready.
Tan prep doesn't need to take over your life.
You just need to give your skin a little attention before you tan instead of trying to fix everything afterwards.
Get the timing right, start with a clean and even base, and you've already done a huge chunk of the work towards a smoother application and better-looking result.
Now for the good part; getting tanned.
Find your undertone match and shop the Uncaged Tan self-tanning range for natural-looking colour that actually works with your skin.
Your future freshly-tanned self will be very pleased you didn't skip the prep.
