How to self-tan like a Pro with James Read!

How to prep your skin for tanning
By spending just a few minutes nailing your skin prep, your tan will look even more golden and gorgeous

We know it can seem like a bit of a faff sometimes, but trust us when we say that those few extra pre-tanning prep steps - that we promise don’t have to take a long time - will make all the difference when it comes to achieving your perfect end result.

Here are James’ expert tips for perfecting your prep.

[1] Schedule your shaving
Make sure you’ve shaved and removed any body hair at least 24 hours before you apply tan. This is so hair follicles have enough time to close up before applying the tan, otherwise, the skin can end up looking slightly speckled.

[2] Nighttime scrub
The night before you plan to tan give your body and face a light exfoliation. The skin is like a canvas so you want it to be as fresh and smooth when you put your tan on.

[3] Must-do moisturise
Hydrate any dry patches of skin. We’re all different, but in general, the areas you want to concentrate on are elbows, ankles, shins, knees, knuckles and along the hairline. Avoid using body oil as it will leave a residue on the skin and prevent the tan from sinking in as well. Use a thicker body cream instead.

[4] Tan time
Your skin is now perfectly prepped so choose your favourite James Read product and apply as per the instructions. And remember to take your time, there’s no need to rush! Buff the product in to give the most gorgeous golden result.

How to tan your face
Here’s how to get your face looking gorgeously glowy.

Whilst we’re obviously a fan of the head-to-toe glow, sometimes you just want to add a bit of warmth to your face. Plus tan on your face fades faster than on your body so you may want to keep it topped up every few days. Follow James’ expert tips on how to tan your face easily and with flawless results.

[1] Prep
Use your favourite moisturiser on any drier patches of skin and apply some along the hairline to act as a barrier cream.

[2] Choose your tan
There are lots of different types of tan to use on your face and the one you use comes down to personal preference on the consistency you like to use, how quickly you want to glow and the type of glow you’re after.

• For a gradual glow choose…
  H20 Tan Drops and Click & Glow Face - these are great options if you haven’t tanned before or you want to slowly build up colour. Add 1-4 drops of these to your usual serum or moisturiser to transform it into a gradual tanner that will give your face a light, subtle glow.
• For getting a glow on the go choose…
  Coconut Water Tan Mist - is a great option for topping up your tan when you’re out and about or pushed for time, as you simply mist this down your face and let it settle. No buffing or anything else is required. If a rose scent is more your thing, try Rose Glow Water Mist.
• For getting a glow overnight choose…
  Sleep Mask - a super hydrating night mask that has been designed to plump your skin and tan your face while you catch up on your beauty sleep. The Sleep Mask Tan Go Darker is for those who want a more intense result.
• For getting a glow quickly choose…
  Glow 20 Serum - this develops in just 20 minutes and is packed with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Think of it as your regular face serum, with glow-giving benefits.

All products available [here(https://www.jamesreadtan.com)]!

[3] Remember SPF
By following the steps above you’ve now got your natural-looking sun-kissed glow sorted. It’s essential to apply SPF on top of your self-tanning product to protect your skin to keep it glowing for even longer.

James Read is a super-premium tanning brand that delivers perfect results every time. And we’re not some faceless corporation, James exists - he really does! James has been a professional and celebrity tanner for over 15 years. He regularly flies globally to tan the A’ Listers, and he has tanned some most famous celebrities in the world (we’re looking at you Mariah Carey, Bradly Cooper, Kate Moss) and has worked with a veritable who’s who of the fashion, beauty and celebrity world – Burberry, Victoria Beckham and Tom Ford have him on speed dial.

"Whether you only have a few minutes, want to tan as you sleep, want an instant glow, prefer drops, mousses, creams or mists - every ‘Glow Style’ and desired result, I’ve got you covered.
A gorgeous glow can help you feel great."
James x

James Read was the first tanning brand to incorporate innovative skincare ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and E, into self-tanning products. His first-to-market and award-winning Sleep Mask Tan revolutionised how people could easily incorporate tanning into their skincare regime. They truly gave a new meaning to the concept of creating glowing skin.

James Read is passionate about his customers looking glowy and feeling confident and happy too. Our products and ingredients are designed to never let you down, transforming your mood quickly and easily.