We’re all familiar with this mishap. You’ve carefully applied your self-tanner from head to toe, only to have your hands and feet expose your otherwise natural and even glow. But why does this always happen? Our hands, feet, knees and elbows have a tendency to be extra dry. This means fake tan will often absorb into these textured or flaky patches.
That’s why it’s essential to keep these areas coated in a rich, hydrating moisturiser.
But, it’s not only that. Consider how frequently the skin on our feet and hands are exposed to rubbing, water and just general contact with surfaces that can fade or strip our tan. In comparison to other parts of our skin, it’s no wonder these areas discolour at a much quicker rate.
Though we’ve found a few nifty hacks along the way, like buffing out our hands and feet with a big, fluffy makeup brush, or using only the residue left over on our tanning mitt after we’ve coated our body; we’d be lying if we said any of these techniques we’re foolproof. Until now.
So, what’s changed? Well, Ashley Graham just entered the conversation and seems to have solved all our tanning woes. Finally.
What is Ashley Graham’s feet and hand tanning hack?
As an avid fake tanner (Ashley recently told Grazia that she’s been self-tanning since she was a teen) and the latest brand ambassador for St. Tropez, we’re holding any advice Ashley has in high regard.
Besides, you only need to take one look at her own bronzed glow to realise she knows her stuff.
After being alerted to the danger of tanning beds during high school, Ashley remembers picking up her first ever St. Tropez mousse and “never looking back.”
And though the revelation of using a tanning mousse to achieve an all-over glow is hardly hot off the press, it was Ashley’s face tanning hack that had us very intrigued.
Okay, do tell…
“Use a face tanning mist on your hands and feet, it won’t go patchy,” she said.
And why wouldn’t that make perfect sense? By using a misting applicator, product is dispensed with greater control. Plus, lighter layering helps to avoid the tan from sticking to the dry patches on our hands and feet. It also makes for easy top-ups or reapplications where necessary.
On top of this, tanning mists that have been designed for our faces are typically formulated with hydrating and soothing ingredients, meaning they will play nicely with dry skin. Um, genius.
Keen to give this a go? We love the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist ($20.99, Chemist Warehouse) and Bondi Sands One Hour Express Face Mist ($16.99, Chemist Warehouse).
Though she didn’t confirm it herself, we’re confident Ashley herself is using the St. Tropez mist. Bumping it to the top of our shopping list, obviously.
Main image credit: @ashleygraham
Have you ever tried Ashley’s face tanning hack? If not, will you?
What a great hack! I’ve had patchy hands before and it’s not a good look at all.
Hope it helps self-tanners
Interesting!
Great tip, will give that a go
Me too.
It sounds like a great idea, even I’m not into tanning.
Her hack makes sense.
My face is darker then body, would never tan it. Already looks odd =/
I’ve always been dubious about mists – you’d have to wait for the colour to develop before you realise you’ve missed a spot, right? Maybe not?
My face & arms are off-white, while my legs & feet are blindingly white, so I usually only use a little tan on my legs.
Never used a face tanning mist before
I haven’t tried it before, a fantastic read and great advice.
I have never gotten into tanning.
Lost on me not into any FT
No and no because I don’t worry about doing self-tanning.
Neither do I but it sounds like a great hack if I ever care about my skin colour
Very clever!!
no its not a good look
Moisturizer is key for good skin, fake tan or not
I don’t use self tanning products. I’ve never really liked the look.
I don’t need to tan my skin.
That’s a good idea, although my self tanning days are behind me now.
Makes sense
interesting face tanning, but nope I have never tried it. i once put tanning lotion on my feet, it was a terrible idea.
Great hack!
I don’t self tan – or any other way – not a fan of the tan.