It’s that time of year again… been getting chillier in time for fall, and the last thing I want is to lose the tan I’ve worked so hard for all summer long! If you’ve just come back from a summer holiday with perfectly sun-kissed skin, you’ll know exactly what I mean. As summer slowly slips away, I’ve been employing different methods to keep my summer glow. Today, I’m sharing my 8 golden rules for prolonging a tan! 🙂
1. MOISTURISE.
The key to sustaining a tan (real or fake) is to keep your skin moisturised at all times. I’ve found that when I get lazy with moisturising, my skin gets dry, causing my tan to essentially “flake” off. So, use a quality moisturiser to start & finish each day. Body moisturisers I recommend are extra virgin coconut oil and Kiehl’s Creme de Corps. Focus on areas that may be drier/flakey, such as your elbows, knees, and feet, for example.
2. EXFOLIATE.
This might sound counterproductive, and you might think, “why exfoliate if I don’t want to be scrubbing the tan off?” Exfoliating actually encourages healthy skin regeneration & growth, and new skin tends to be soft and smooth. A tan will be more likely to stick onto healthy, smooth skin, rather than dead flakey skin cells! I recommend using a body exfoliating mitt in the shower or a bath once a week.
3. ENHANCE.
“Touch up” your tan by soaking up a bit of sun whenever you get a chance. Don’t forget sunscreen, though, because no tan is worth getting skin cancer (and no, sunscreen DOES NOT prevent you from getting tan, contrary to popular belief — it protects your skin from harsh UV rays)! If you’d prefer to go sunless, I highly recommend investing in self-tanners. The one I like using in fall/winter is the self-tan bronzing mousse by St. Tropez. I do not recommend caking on self-tanner everyday though, as this can easily just build up, look unnatural, and maybe even flake off, depending on your skin type. There are many moisturisers out there that have the natural tanning properties (my two favourites are by Nivea and Jergens). I’d definitely opt in for those if I must, while limiting self tanning mousses to once or twice a week. I’ll also give myself “off days” and just use a normal moisturiser to keep the tan looking natural.
4. STAY HYDRATED.
In addition to exfoliating & moisturising, drinking plenty of water will help keep skin in its best condition. When your skin is supple rather than dry, your tan will stick around longer.
5. EAT CARROTS.
We should be eating plenty of veggies for the sake of overall health, but boosting your carrot intake regularly (& consistently) will help you hold onto your tan, as the beta-carotene in carrots encourages golden skin.
6. SHOWER IN COOL WATER.
Hot water can aggravate & dry the skin, so shower in the coolest water possible to avoid this. Also, consider using a bath oil instead of your regular body wash every now and then, to keep your skin moisturised and supple.
7. AVOID WAXING.
Waxing can be extremely tough on the skin, and may pull off a layer of your skin (and thus your tan) during the process. Opt in for shaving whenever possible on areas you’d like to keep your tan!
8. WEAR NEONS & WHITES OFTEN.
A quick little style tip that’ll bring you a long way: Bright colours help to bring out your tan by giving a strong contrast. Neons & whites are great examples and will give you a nice pop of colour — outfit & skin-tone alike 😉
Do you know of any other tips & tricks to prolonging a holiday tan? Enlighten me in a comment below!
64 Responses
Great tips! I just got back from Hawaii and got a nice tan… Definitely will try to keep it as long as I can with this guide. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, Kelly. Glad you like them x
Looks like a good hack, gonna try
Thanks, Neha.
Eating carrots! I never would have thought of that one. Great list.
Amber
http://amusedblog.com
Yes! Carrots are good for the eyes too 😉 hehe
great hacks! thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Diana x
I had no idea exfoliating helped to make a tan last longer! Thanks for sharing x
YES! It actually works wonders. Thank you for stopping by hun x
Thanks for sharing your tips! I think wearing neon is such a great idea and I’ve never thought about it before but I do look tanner when I wear bright colors!
http://WWW.MARIANNYC.COM
Thank you for reading, Mariann! 🙂
These are great tips! Totally agree about carrots, it works so well 🙂
Have a lovely Friday x
Thanks hun! x
I am going to Hawaii next week and I was thinking. What am I gonna do after I get back .. Thanks for the tips babe ?♥️
Lol!!! Have a blast babe! xo
Love the tips. I scored like 4 outta 8, which is still quite good thinking I don’t do much waxing 🙂
xoxo
Thomas
Thanks, Thomas! LOL!!! That’s freaking amazing, considering you’re a guy too! Thank you for reading 🙂 x
Great tips, thank you sweetie!
xo, Gina
http://www.artsyrunway.com
Thank you, Gina x
Wow! Didn’t know showering in cool water helps retain a tan 🙂 Thanks for sharing babe.
Yes! It’s a great hack 😉 thanks for reading xx
Your tan is on point in all your photos babe! Love following you on Instagram. Definitely need to put these tips to good use so I can be just like you 😉 <3
Thank you, Jasmin! Glad these tips are helpful to you xx
Awesome tips. I guess I’ll be wearing more white this fall! 😛
Me too girl! Thanks for reading xo
Summer is approaching in Sydney so these tips will be very helpful in maintaining a nice tan throughout the nice weather!
http://WWW.BUNNYBERNICE.COM
Omg lucky!!! Summer is leaving us here in LA 🙁 Booooo! Have fun girl! xo
I love the St. Tropez self tanning mousse too! The new one smells so good too!
Couldn’t agree more! St. Tropez is literally my lifesaver during cold months when my skin barely sees the sun. Haha!
Your shots are absolutely beautiful babe! I love the vibrant colors your photos exude and these tips will definitely come in handy!!! <3
– Michelle Sun
@missmisschelle
http://www.missmisschelle.com
Thanks, Michelle! xo
This is such a very helpful guide to those who really wants to be tan. I have no idea of some mentioned that it also helps to long last tanning. OMG! Haha! Well, I am not fan of being tan actually because you know genes. Thanks for sharing this babe!
Elisha | http://loveelisha.net
LOL! I can’t live without tanned skin! Thanks for reading babe!
Great tips and I did not know about the carrots or that exfoliating helped to make a tan last longer! Thanks for sharing this!
Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com
Thank you, Ann-Marie! Glad the tips were enlightening 🙂 xx
Great tips babe! So helpful.
Thanks for sharing.
Xx, Raysa
Thank you for reading, Raysa! Glad you enjoyed my tips xo
Great tip,tanx for sharing dear.
Momentswithchelsea.blogspot.com
Thank you, Chelsea xo
Loved learning that eating more carrots helps with my tan 🙂 I will def eat more carrots from now on!
xoxo,
Fe
Yay! So glad I could enlighten you, Fe! xoxo
These are great tips! I think apricots have the same effect as carrots if you’re more of a fruit person!
I should definitely exfoliate and moisturise more!
Julia x
http://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Ohhhh! I had no idea about apricots but I’m MUCH more of a fruit than veggie person. Will have to try apricots then! Thanks for letting me know 😉 xo
Eating carrots is so good, definitely need to improve on that! I always love my skin when I’ve been eating them consistently! Thank you for the reminder love! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
Thanks for reading! xo
Some great tips babe! I didn’t know eating carrots helps with your tan. so interesting! Now all I need is for some Summer sun so I can actually get a tan!
x Emily
http://shedoes.com.au
Thank you, Emily. Glad you found them helpful xo
beautiful
Wendee//theglossychic.com
Thank you, Wendee!
These are some great tips and I definitely need a tan (even though summer is over)! I will use these tips in the winter to avoid being all pale and pasty. =) xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
You already have such a nice complexion, Christine! Haha I am totally with you though… one of the reasons why I’m not a fan of fall/winter is because it’s so much harder to sustain a tan! Hopefully St. Tropez will do me well this year 😉
Definitely needed these tips for a long summer in LA <3 Thanks for sharing babe !!
XO, Jessi
Would LOVE for you to check out my new web series, The Happiest Hour!!
http://www.mywhitet.com/2016/09/11/the-happiest-hour-brittany-xavier/
Thank you for reading, Jessi. Glad you found them helpful! Headed over to check out your latest post now <3 xoxo
These tips are so helpful. Thanks for posting.
http://www.hautepalette.com/single-post/2016/08/27/60-Days-of-Seattle-Summer
Thank you babe! Glad you found them helpful xo
Yes definitely this post had to be written like the ultimate California babe like you!! Will follow all this tips for sure 😉
xx
Lol!! You’re too funny. You have quite an amazing tan yourself though 🙂
Learn so much from your posts!
So glad to hear it! x
Love this! A summer tan looks good year around..such great tips! xx, gracie
snappedbygracie.com
I couldn’t agree more! Thanks babe.
I am sure to try some of these !Thanks for sharing hun!
http://www.colossalcloset.in/
Thanks, Mansi 🙂