Contouring has long been a beauty secret for enhancing your natural bone structure, giving depth to your face, and achieving that coveted sculpted look. Traditionally done with makeup, there's a new trend in town that’s going viral on TikTok—contouring with self tan. This innovative technique allows you to wake up with a naturally contoured face, no makeup required. 

Why Contour with Self Tan?

Before diving into the how-to, it's important to understand why this method is gaining popularity. Contouring with self tanner offers several benefits:

1. Long-Lasting Results: Traditional makeup contouring needs to be reapplied daily, but contouring with self tan lasts for several days. This means you can enjoy a sculpted look without the daily hassle. The tan develops over a few hours and can last from several days to a week, making it a time-efficient option.
2. Natural Appearance: Self tan provides a more natural and subtle contour compared to makeup, which can sometimes look heavy or cakey. The tan mimics the way the sun naturally highlights and shades your face, giving you a healthy, sun-kissed appearance. This method avoids the stark contrast often seen with makeup contouring, leading to a more seamless and organic look.
3. Time-Saving: Once you master this technique, it will save you time in your daily beauty routine. Imagine waking up every morning with perfectly defined cheekbones without having to reach for your contour palette. It streamlines your routine, especially for those busy mornings when you’re short on time.
4. Sweat-Proof and Water-Resistant: Because the tan is absorbed into your skin, it won’t smudge or melt away, even on hot days or during a workout. This makes it ideal for maintaining a polished look in any situation. The tan will stay put through sweat and rain, offering a reliable and consistent appearance.

Now that you know why this technique is worth trying, let's get into the details.

Tools needed: 

1. Select your favourite Luna Bronze Tanning Mousse: either Eclipse Tanning Mousse or Total Eclipse Tanning Mousse will be suited best due to the colour guide. 
2. Luna Bronze Contour Blending Brush

Step 1: Prep the Skin

Preparation is key to achieving an even, streak-free contour with fake tan. Here’s how to get your skin ready:

1. Exfoliate: Start by gently cleansing and exfoliating your face to remove dead cells. Focus on areas prone to dryness and flakiness, such as around the nose and chin. This ensures a smooth surface for the tan to adhere to. 
2. Moisturise:  After exfoliating, apply a light, oil-free moisturiser to hydrate your skin. Pay extra attention to dry areas on your face to prevent the tan from clinging too much and creating darker patches. However, avoid applying too much moisturiser to the areas you plan to contour, as this can dilute the tan and make it less effective.

Step 2: Pump a small amount of self tanning product onto your Contour Blending Brush. The key here is control—starting with a small amount of product allows you to build up the colour gradually, avoiding any harsh lines or overly dark areas.

Step 3: Begin Contouring

Just like with makeup, the key to contouring with fake tan is knowing where to apply it. Here are the areas to focus on:

1. Draw a number 3: To enhance your cheekbones, suck in your cheeks to find the hollows. Apply the tan just below your cheekbones, blending upwards towards your ears. Continue this up along the top of your forehead/hairline, as well as down underneath your jawline to create that snatched look. Blend well so that there are no harsh lines. 

4. Contour eyelids: apply to eyelids, drag up and out. This method not only defines your eyes but also creates the illusion of a higher brow bone and lifted outer corners, contributing to a more open and awake look. 

Step 5: Let the Tan Develop

Once you’ve applied the tan, it’s important to let it develop properly. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Wait 1-3 Hours: Depending on how deep you want your contour, leave the tan to develop for 1-3 hours. Otherwise sleep in it! The longer you leave it on, the darker it will become.
2. Avoid Water and Sweating: During the development time, avoid getting your skin wet or sweating. Water can cause the tan to streak, and sweating can lead to uneven development.
3. Rinse Off: After the development time, rinse off the excess tan in the shower. Use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing your skin. Pat yourself dry with a towel.
4. Moisturise: After rinsing off the tan, moisturise your skin to lock in the colour and keep your skin hydrated. This helps to extend the life of your tan and keeps it looking fresh.

Step 6: Maintain Your Contour

To keep your contour looking sharp and fresh, follow these maintenance tips:

1. Moisturize Daily: Keeping your skin hydrated is key to maintaining your tan. Moisturise daily with an oil-free moisturiser to prevent your tan from fading unevenly.
2. Avoid Exfoliation: To prolong your tan, avoid exfoliating the contoured areas. Exfoliation can cause the tan to fade faster, so stick to gentle cleansing.
3. Touch Up as Needed: If you notice your tan starting to fade, you can touch it up using the same techniques. Apply a small amount of tanning mousse to the areas that need refreshing and blend well.
4. Protect Your Skin: If you’re going to be in the sun, make sure to apply SPF over your tan. Sun exposure can cause your tan to fade more quickly, and it’s important to protect your skin from UV damage.

And there you have it, the perfect contour results using self tan! 😍 Whether you're new to contouring or looking to perfect your technique, these tips will help you master the art of contouring with fake tan. Make sure you tag us when you try this hack ✨

SHOP THE MUST HAVE TOOLS FOR CONTOURING WITH SELF TAN HERE