Fashion

One Thing You Should Never Do Using Self-Tanner

by Lindsey Rose Black

March 12, 2016

Self-tanner can be so glorious and give you that I'm-magically-tan-despite-winter-just-ending glow, but a #flawless application requires a little effort. There's one thing you should never do when using self-tanner, and if you do, you risk ending up with a blotchy and uneven tan. So before you reach for one of the seven instant self-tanners, read up!

Have you ever started rubbing on self-tanner and then notice you missed a spot shaving as you're applying it? Unfortunately, the one thing you should never do while using self-tanner is go back and shave right after applying it. Anna Stankiewicz of Louise O'Connor Salon in New York City told Allure, "[Shaving] can remove self-tanner" since it's a form of exfoliation. You have to wait at least a few days before shaving to not wreck the color.

Funny enough, shaving and exfoliating before you apply self-tanner are actually the best ways to guarantee your results will be streak-free. Dr. Bank, the founding dermatologist at The Center For Dermatology in New York, tells me, "Before applying self-tanner, make sure to exfoliate in the shower using a washcloth" to get the smoothest application possible.

Now that you know to always shave and exfoliate before self-tanning and not right after (even if you have stubble), check out some great exfoliating options for spring self-tanning!