Achieving a flawless, sun-kissed glow is easier than ever with self-tanning products. But for the best results, technique is key. While using a mitt is common practice for many, applying self tan with a blending brush has gained popularity for providing precision, a streak-free finish and ease when contouring tricky areas like the face, hands and feet. At Luna Bronze, we want to help you elevate your tanning routine, giving you a glowing complexion from head to toe. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to master yourself tan using a blending brush, ensuring your tan looks natural and radiant.
Why use a blending brush for self tan?
A blending brush offers multiple advantages when applying self tan to both your body and face. It provides:
- Precision: Unlike a mitt, a brush allows for more control, making it easier to reach smaller, hard-to-blend areas like around the nose or collarbone.
- Streak-Free Finish: Brushes help distribute the product evenly, preventing streaks or patches that are common with other methods.
- Seamless Contouring: A blending brush is ideal for sculpting and contouring the face, neck, and body, giving you a more natural, multidimensional glow.
- Perfect for the Face: Mitts can sometimes be too large for delicate areas on the face, while a brush offers precision, especially around the hairline, jawline, and neck.
Whether you’re a tanning novice or a seasoned self tanner, incorporating a blending brush into your routine can completely change the way your tan looks and lasts.
Choosing the right blending brush for self tan
Before diving into the application process, it's important to choose the right brush. Look for the following features in a blending brush:
- Soft, Dense Bristles: Brushes with soft yet densely packed bristles help distribute self tan evenly over the skin without absorbing too much product.
- Contoured Brush Head: A contoured brush head is perfect for creating that sculpted effect when applying product to face.
Prepping your skin for a flawless self tan application
Achieving a flawless tan begins with preparation. Here are the key steps to prep your skin before applying self tan:
- Exfoliate: Exfoliation is a critical step in ensuring your self tan applies evenly. Use an exfoliating mitt or body scrub to remove dead skin cells, paying special attention to rough areas like elbows, knees, and ankles. Exfoliating will create a smooth surface for the tan to adhere to and prevent patchiness.
- Moisturise: Hydrated skin absorbs self tan more evenly. Apply a light, oil-free moisturiser to dry areas such as your elbows, knees, hands, and feet. These areas tend to absorb more product, which can result in darker patches. A thin layer of moisturiser helps prevent this by creating a barrier between the skin and the self tanner.
- Shave or Wax: If you plan to remove any body hair, do so at least 24 hours before applying self tan. This gives your skin time to settle and prevents irritation that could interfere with the tan's evenness.
How to apply self tan with a blending brush on your body
Now that your skin is prepped, it’s time to apply your self tan. Here's how to do it for a seamless, all-over glow:
Step 1: Dispense the self tan product
Begin by dispensing your Luna Bronze self tanning lotion, mousse, or mist directly onto the blending brush or onto your skin. For larger areas like the legs, arms, and torso, you can start with a small amount and gradually build up to your desired shade.
Step 2: Apply to skin using a long, sweeping motion
Beginning, with the body, use long, sweeping strokes to apply the tan evenly onto the skin. Use any remaining residue on hands, feet, elbows and knees, and gently buff into the skin with light pressure ensuring you get into each crevice.
Step 3: Work in sections
To achieve a flawless tan, work in small sections at a time. This allows you to focus on blending the product evenly before it dries. For example, after applying the tan to your legs, move to your arms, then torso, and so on. Take your time to avoid streaks or missed spots.
Step 5: Double check blending
Once you’ve applied the self tan to your entire body, take a few moments to inspect your work. Use your blending brush to buff out any areas where the tan may appear too concentrated, such as around your wrists or ankles. A quick double-check will ensure a seamless finish.
How to apply self tan with a blending brush on your face
Applying self tan to your face requires more precision than the body. A blending brush is the perfect tool for getting an even, natural glow on the face, and it's also great for contouring certain areas.
Step 1: Apply a small amount of self tan
For your face, it’s important to start with a small amount of self tan. You can either apply the product directly to your brush or dot it lightly onto your face, focusing on areas like the cheeks, forehead, and chin.
Step 2: Buff gently
Using your blending brush, buff the self tan into your skin in gentle, circular motions. Be especially careful around your hairline, jawline, and neck to ensure a smooth blend and avoid any harsh lines if using a colour-guided tan. If you are using a gradual face tan, like our Good Night Face Bronzing Serum, ensure you are blending evenly over the face to avoid any patches.
Step 3: Pay attention to contouring
If you want to enhance the natural contours of your face, use your blending brush to apply a slightly heavier amount of self tan around your hairline, the hollows of your cheeks, and your jawline. This technique can create the illusion of a more sculpted face while still maintaining a natural glow.
Step 4: Don’t forget the ears and neck
One of the most common mistakes when applying self tan to the face is forgetting to blend down the neck and onto the ears. Use your blending brush to lightly sweep over these areas, ensuring your tan looks seamless and natural.
Step 5: Check for evenness
After applying self tan to your face, check in natural light to ensure an even application. Use your blending brush to smooth out any areas where the product may have accumulated, such as the creases around your nose or eyes.
Post-tan care for long-lasting results
After applying your self tan with a blending brush, following these aftercare tips will help your glow last longer:
- Let the tan develop: Give your tan time to develop by avoiding water, sweating, or showering for anywhere between 1-8 hours, depending on the colour depth you are after.
- Moisturise Daily: Hydrated skin holds onto tan longer. After your tan has developed, keep your skin moisturised with an oil-free body lotion.
- Exfoliate Lightly: As your tan begins to fade, exfoliate lightly to ensure it fades evenly. This will help avoid patches or uneven fading.
Final thoughts
Applying self tan with a blending brush is a game-changer for achieving a flawless, sun-kissed glow. Whether you're a self tanning newbie or a seasoned pro, this method will leave your skin glowing, contoured, and radiant.
For your next glow-up, shop our Contour Blending Brush to perfect your routine.