The bronze age: your fake tan guide

Summer's here, which can only mean one thing - indoor living or escaping to cooler climes! But who wants to jet off on holiday looking tired and sallow? In pursuit of being your bronzed best you don't need to expose your skin to the UAE's blistering temperatures and the dangerous UV rays - why not opt for a sunless self-tan at a salon? Not only will you get that LA-style glow safely, it can make you feel healthier too. "It's an instant image-booster because it gives you a more glowing look and a glamorously toned-looking body," says Marie Moulds, distributor for St Tropez Middle East. Making you look slimmer by giving your skin shadows and definition where you would usually have none, a tan also helps hide imperfections like stretch marks and pigmentation. So what are you waiting for? Read our faking-it guide to a beautiful faux glow. The rules of faking it Exfoliate: This is the most vital step for keeping your tan even. "Sloughing off dead skin cells just before you go for your treatment means the product gets to work on the freshest layers of your skin," says Marie. It also sets the base for your tan to fade uniformly rather than in unsightly patches. Cleanse: You should be scrupulously clean before a self-tan. "It's good to get a Moroccan bath and a wax done the day before your spray tan," advises Patsi Collins, owner of her eponymous Dubai-based Salon. "It ensures a smooth surface and there will be no risk of getting the patchy tan that can result when you have dead skin cells clinging on." Moisturise: The most common cause of a patchy tan is dry skin, so being well moisturised is crucial to avoid tell-tale marks. "The night before your treatment apply plenty of moisturiser to your body, focusing on the dry, often ignored areas, such as hands, knees, elbows, ankles and feet," says Marie. Choose the right shade: Even celebs can get it wrong, so make sure you ask for the right colour. A natural, olive tan like Victoria Beckham's is a good example of how to glow rather than Lindsay Lohan's orange tinge. Post-tan maintenance: Spray tans will generally need four to six hours to develop. During that time you should refrain from getting your skin wet or you'll end up with streaks. Give your skin a 24-hour breather before taking a shower and don't forget to moisturise afterwards otherwise your dry skin will begin to peel off, causing your tan to fade prematurely. Then protect your glow with a tan-enhancing sunscreen post treatment. Salon fixes If you're new to self-tanning you should definitely put yourself in the hands of a professional. For a natural, flawless glow minus the streaks, here's who you should have on speed dial… Sisters Beauty Lounge, The Dubai Mall, 04-3398500 What: St Tropez Spray Tan Why: The St Tropez spray tan needs no introduction, thanks to its celebrity cult status - A-listers Emily Blunt and Jessica Alba admit they achieve their natural glow with the brand. Here, the tanning agent is derived from a natural sugar called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which ensures a deep, rich natural tan that lasts from five to ten days. The technician manually applies the self-tanner with a spray gun for a customised finish. This tanning product also has the added bonus of anti-ageing properties. The spray tan is only available at The Dubai Mall branch - the other branches offer the original manual cream application. Cost: Dh215, 45 minutes (with body scrub); Dh175, 30 minutes (without body scrub) Roots, Jumeirah, 04-3444040 What: SunFX Spray Tan Why: This Australian-made spray-tan system uses 100 per cent natural ingredients and lasts for eight days on average. SunFX requires about six hours from application for the tint to fully develop. It is free from alcohol, oils, fragrances, parabens and artificial preservatives, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin and spray-tan first-timers. Cost: Dh350, 45 minutes (body scrub, shower and spray tan); Dh200, 30 minutes (without body scrub) Patsi Collins, Garhoud, 04-2869923 What: Tantruth Spray Tan Why: A UK-based self-tanning system, Tantruth is applied with a manual spray machine and lasts five to ten days. It takes eight hours to develop fully. The spray contains DHA and erythrulose, along with avocado and vitamin E which will leave your skin well moisturised. The combination of ingredients ensures a mellow, natural shade minus an orange or greenish tinge. Cost: Dh275, 45 minutes (with body scrub); Dh200, 30 minutes (without body scrub); Dh300 (second application for more intensity) How fake tanners work The active ingredient in tanning products is dihydroxyacetone or DHA, which is often derived from sugar cane or beetroot. This is usually combined with another sugar compound, erythrulose. These bind with the proteins in the top layer of your skin and set off a chemical reaction that results in the deepening of colour on the top layer. The ingredients don't react with the deeper layers of your skin, which makes them safe to use.from gulfnews.com