Skin Health Magazine Issue #11 / Spring 2019 | Page 31

layers. This helps to make sure you don’t miss
any bits, your tan is deeper in colour and it will
last longer.
OK, what’s your step-by-step routine for prep-
ping, applying and maintaining a good tan?
The prep: exfoliate and wax your skin 24 hours
before tanning. If you’re having a facial or
massage, make sure that it’s 48 hours before you
tan. To remove any old tan on the skin, use a
make-up wipe beforehand. Next, the application.
Moisturise any dry areas first, such as the hands,
feet, elbows, knees and any eczema patches. Start
with your face first. Use a product that is
designed for your face and packed with skin care
ingredients, like my new James Read Sleep Mask
Tan Retinol (launching May), and make sure your
face is lighter than your body. Tan your body
next. To tan your back, put a tan mitt onto a
wooden spoon and wrap an elastic band around
it, then you are ready to tan your back! After
applying self-tan to your hands, fold a finger
plaster with the sponge side outwards onto your
index finger, apply a small amount of moisturiser
onto the sponge then press into each knuckle.
Repeat this process with your knees and elbows
but use a larger plaster. To help your tan fade
more evenly, exfoliate the skin around three or
four days afterwards.
extremely natural and produce a beautiful,
natural tan that suits all skin types. The James
Read H2O Tan Mist is great to top up your
post-holiday glow, and is also extremely trav-
el-friendly. The H20 Tan Mist includes healthy
properties too, such as rose water which works
to help reverse the signs of ageing while skin-lov-
ing vitamins and minerals provide a refreshing
boost to the skin’s hydration system which may
have been lost whilst being in the sun.
Finally, do you have any quick fixes for a fake
tan disaster?
If you have over tanned or become too dark
through excessive use, a quick fix is to use the
steam room at your gym. The steam particles
will take your tan down and balance it out,
providing a more natural look. Also, the old
trick of using lemon and lime juice is a great
way to remove your tan. Just mix with some
water, pour over a flannel, heat it up in the
microwave for 30 seconds then rub over your
skin evenly. If you are on the move, another
trick of mine is using make-up wipes. These
are perfect for removing excess tan on the skin.
If you are new to self-tan, which products are
best for beginners?
I would certainly recommend one of our
gradual tan products, as these provide a more
natural glow. I would suggest our new James
Read H20 Tan Drops Body (launching May),
which provide a tailor-made approach to
self-tanning, and can be added into your
current skin care regime. For the face, I would
recommend our James Read Sleep Mask Tan Face.
This colourless formula can be used daily to
build up a natural, sun-kissed glow.
What are your hero self-tan products?
The James Read Sleep Mask Tan Face and Sleep
Mask Tan Body are my heroes as they are
James Read
ISSUE #11 | 2019 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 31