6 tips for the perfect faux tan

By: Gerit Quealy

June 22, 2011

6 Comments

Source: Bobby Bank/WireImage; Ian Gavan/Getty

Both Lauren Hutton, 67, and Goldie Hawn, 65, always looks like they're glowing in golden high summer.

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Summer's definitely here. And we've got a long holiday weekend coming up to boot.

So even if you take pride in your pasty whiteness (like me), even that can get a little, um, dare I say 'old' after a while.

Celebs like Lauren Hutton and Goldie Hawn are perfect examples of how a golden tan can convey a youthful glow. Especially if you're going low-cut like Goldie (too low do you think?).

Both these ladies have spent some significant time in the sun — in fact, it looks like Goldie's tan lines are showing — but hopefully they know by now that protection is the name of the game. (Don't make me start quoting statistics again about skin cancer in later years).

So the best way to get that sun-kissed look — and avoid tan lines — is to go for the faux.

But frankly, after all this time, I still make a mess of it.

So I turned to St. Tropez 'celebrity skin finishing expert' Sophie Evans, who plied her trade in Times Square the other day to make sure passersby got it right.

Here's her recipe for the perfect fake tan:

1. EXFOLIATE – This is the most important part of every self-tan application. You can't get a perfect tan without a clean canvas. And it's especially important for older skin, which can be drier — so best to scrub away the top layer of dead cells for a smoother application.

2. CHOOSE YOUR TAN: (Evans suggested planning ahead — for a St. Tropez self tan, 2 days prior to beach). Find an application method that's right for you:

a.Self Tan Lotion($40) Adds extra hydration and lasts longer than most (another great pick for older skin because of the constant need for hydration).

b. Self Tan Mousse($40) – This a good choice if you are in a rush and don't have a lot of time to apply self-tanner and then let it sit. (My dilemma since my motivation was an upcoming meeting and it was too hot to wear pantyhose, as we've already discussed).

c. Self Tan Spray ($35) – Great for the first time self-tanner because it is easy to apply and gets all those hard to reach areas. I can attest too that the St. Tropez spray doesn't make you look that horrid orange.

3. How to AVOID STREAKS –Streaks happen if you don't use enough product. Don't be afraid to coat your skin.

4. How to AVOID SPLOTCHES– Make sure to wipe residue off knuckles and fingers to avoid splotches.

5. CREATE Contour – Men, you can fake six pack abs! Ladies, you can get defined arms — by highlighting the contours of your body with the St. Tropez Self Tan Spray. I have to admit I hadn't thought of this, but you can bet I'dm going to be trying it ( with the mousse actually, more control) on my tummy and triceps.

6. THE FINISHING TOUCH – Evans suggests the St. Tropez Illuminators ($22.50) to the collar bone and tops of the shoulders to top the look off with a luminous glow.

Here's what I say:

-Don't go too dark. Take the cue from Lauren & Goldie and go just a few shades darker than your natural hue.

-Easy on the face — if so jut go around the edges, hairline, jawline, sparingly. But better with bronzers, I do like St. Tropez Bronzing Rocks, but there are lots to choose from. You can use a faux glow for face too, but as I said, a light touch will go farther than you think.

Voila! Instant sun — safely!

More tips for ways to get that golden glow:

10 Best Bronzers

Bring on the Bronzer

Look Alive with Bronzer

SunSafety through Fashion

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Anonymous | Jun 27, 2011

If yu have that white porcelain skin leave it—it has it's own particular beauty. However if you are pasty or blotchy to begin with a bronzer is geat. Drugstore brands are around $12. Remember the pantyhose post? If you don't want to wear them in the summer, bronzer is great for the legs.

Very good information! Thank you!

Whenever I see someone with an obvious surfeit of sun exposure and the too-too brown and probably real "healthy glow" my first thought usually is, "You can tell when someone has never had skin cancer in the family," drifting on and forgetting how happy I used to be years ago when I actually HAD a mild tan, and how 'healthy' it did actually look! Thanks Ms Quealy for reminding that there are options; I can now decide it's a great way to receive my diploma on graduation day, at the age of 70!

Hmmm. I'm of a generation who painted our legs, and then drew a line up the back with a brown pencil, to make it look like we were wearing stockings. I guess stockings are a thing of the past now??

Anonymous | Jun 23, 2011

The thing about tanning being thought of as beautiful is that it's all about money. In Scarlett O'Hara's time, the height of fashion was to have skin as white as possible. Why? It meant you had enough money to sit on a shaded porch and sip a mint julep while others (quite literally) slaved in the sun to do your work. Tanning became popular because it meant you had enough leisure time to sun bathe, but more influentially, tanning was about being brown in the winter because it meant you had enough cash and thus the cache, to fly somewhere sunny and lie around on a beach. There's nothing "healthier" about a tan than skin without one and if you get your tan from the sun, we all know now that it is far less healthy. Yet we persist in calling it a "healthy glow". Good for you, Ms. Quealy, to continually remind us of the dangers of the sun and give those who persist in the "healthy glow" myth a way to safely achieve it.

Suzikell | Jun 23, 2011

Thanks for the tips! As a redhead, I always fear looking fake, though. But always love the recommendations!