A few years ago I decided I needed to get more serious about my skin. And by that, I mean it was no longer acceptable for me to forgo sunscreen in hopes of getting a nice golden tan… or to only apply once. I told myself I needed to start utilizing higher SPF, no more sunburns, and to start going fake. And by fake I mean fake tan…

My skin tends to tan easily, but I knew that if I didn’t want to look like a worn piece of leather in about 10 years I needed to shape up in the sunbathing department. Now, don’t get me wrong, if we’re at the beach I lather up with sunscreen, wear a wide brimmed hat, and enjoy my time… I swim with the girls in the pool and enjoy the time… I am just mindful about applying high SPF sunscreen, reapplying, and covering up my face.

And to achieve that “I just spent hours in the sun for a week” look I turned to a bottle. This bottle of Tan Luxe to be exact (I tried another brand last year and really liked it, but in the end I felt Tan Luxe gave me a better “tan”). It’s a pretty easy product to apply without the need for a mitt or any fancy techniques (I literally apply it just like lotion), but I have come to rely on some easy skin “prep” to ensure the faux tan stays and I’m sharing those easy steps below……

Also, if you want to try out some of the products below I do have 2 codes to share:

Nécessaire: SHANNON10 for 10% off
TULA: ITSYBITSY15 for 15% off
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FOR THE BODY

I do this 2-3xs a week to maintain a subtle glow and follow the routine below:

Step 1: I prep in the shower…. I use the Necessaire body exfoliator which helps to remove any dead skin to create a smooth surface to apply self tanning products. I prefer their eucalyptus scent… makes me feel as if I’m at a spa. I also do a quick shave of the legs (but only 2ish times a week…)…

Step 2: Once I get out of the shower, I use the Necessaire Body Serum to for a boost of hydration to my skin (sine hydration is key to maintaining a tan… this step helps a lot). I’ve been using the body serum for several months now, and it’s amazing how smooth and hydrated my skin feels… especially naturally “rough” areas like my heels. It has hyaluronic acid, which helps to promote healthier, more supple skin.

Step 3: I apply my Tan Luxe Body Butter self tanner all over…. I’ve been using this self tanner for almost 2 years now and I’m a huge fan. It’s not scent free (although I am very sensitive to smells) but it’s not overpowering, which I am okay with. It’s formulated without parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, and sulphates and uses all organic ingredients. I have found it to give me a great “natural” tan look, without looking like I’m orange (I do have a more olive skin complexion, just for reference). I’ve never had an issues with streaks… and I apply it just as I would regular moisturizer.

Step 4: I apply a little bit on the Necessaire body lotion to ensure that my skin stays sufficiently hydrated. Their lotion has Niacinamide which is a super vitamin that helps to build up the skin barrier to maintain moisture and protect skin from oxidative stress such as pollution, sun, and other toxins.

Step 5: In between applications, I use the Necessaire body wash since it’s gentle and won’t strip the tan away.

FOR THE FACE

I apply a self tanner to the face 3xs a week and follow this routine….

Step 1: Exfoliate. I swear by the TULA exfoliating scrub (I’ve been using it for 5 years and haven’t found anything as good…).

Step 2: I go through my evening skin care routine with my eye cream, toner, and serum….

Step 3: I apply 2-3 drops of the Tan Luxe illuminating facial drops (I have the light-medium shade) to my evening moisturizing cream and then apply it all over. I wake up with a sun kissed glow that makes it so easy to apply just a little bit of foundation and concealer (so it simplifies my make-up routine, which is nice). I’ve never had issues with streaking either.