How To Maintain Your Tan At Summer Events

Summer is here, and we’ve got loads to look forward to.

With such buzzing social lives, it can be hard to find time to maintain our flawless tan. A rough, patchy tan isn’t exactly the look we’re going for this summer.

Whether you’re hitting the town on the regular, heading to the Cheshire countryside for Creamfields, or jetting off for a sun-soaked party holiday in Ibiza, we’ve got the ultimate guide to a Instagram-worthy bronze that’ll last all summer long.

Give gradual tanning a go

You’ve already got your skincare and bodycare routines down, so a gradual tan is the easiest way to stay a bronzed all summer. Just swap out your regular body moisturiser for a gradual tanning lotion and add a self-tan serum into your facial skincare routine for a glow that’ll last through all the parties of the summer. We give this tip bonus points as it’ll help your beach holiday tan last even longer once you’re back in the UK.

Gradual tans will give you a sun-kissed glow, but if you want to be even more extra, mix in your self-tan drops for a deeper bronze. It’s the ultimate hack for a hydrated bronze.

Quench thirsty skin

Ever dealt with a patchy application that’s a dead giveaway you’ve self-tanned? Dry skin is the culprit. Not only does it lead to an uneven tan application, but it doesn’t look or feel good either. Keep your body moisturised daily with your gradual tan lotion or, if you prefer to apply your tan with a tanning water or mousse, apply a lightweight moisturiser before application. Pay extra attention to always-dry areas like elbows and knees to make sure you avoid any tan build up or clinging.

You’ve probably switched over to a lighter facial moisturiser for the summer to avoid that heavy, greasy feeling on your face. Make sure it’s still adding enough hydration to your skin – a dehydrated complexion is a one-way ticket to fine lines, wrinkles, and an uneven tan. Smooth, softened skin is the perfect canvas for your preferred self-tan.

Re-do your tan quickly

If you’re a tanning pro who takes the time to glow up once or twice a week, you’ll eventually need to get rid of that old tan to apply a fresh layer before it fades unevenly. But you don’t need to scrub your skin raw to remove it – just use a tan eraser designed to remove the remnants of tans gone by. They’ll leave you with a cleansed, even complexion that you can apply a brand-new tan to.

You can even use some of these treatments as a tan primer – so if you’ve not applied your first tan of the summer or you’ve made the switch from damaging sunbeds to self-tanning, you can use them to exfoliate, prep, and prime your skin.

Protect your tan at all costs

Once you’ve tanned, you don’t want to do anything that’ll make it fade faster. And you’d be surprised at some of the things that can make it disappear quickly. That dip in the pool at your hotel in Ibiza? A quickly fading tan thanks to the chlorine. A splash in the Mediterranean? Better, but saltwater can still dull your glow.

Even certain shower gels can wash away your bronze depending on the ingredients in them. Any exfoliating formulas or stripping detergents can break down your tan, leaving you back exactly where you started.

When you’re on holiday, apply an oil-free, waterproof SPF all over to protect your tan from pool and seawater. In the shower, use gentle soaps and cream formulas to keep your glow intact. If you’re heading to a festival and you’re immersing yourself in the full camping experience, you might be relying on wipe-downs – no judgment here, girl. Just take gentle baby wipes instead of ones that use extra-harsh ingredients to mimic a full wash.

When you’re living the summer of your life, keeping on top of your beauty routines can sometimes fall by the wayside. To be a bronzed babe all summer, follow these simple, no-hassle tips – you’ll be able to extend the wear of your tan without having to spend any extra time on application. You do you this summer.