With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, millions of Brits will be planning to celebrate with their significant other – flowers in tow- or scrambling to the shops to grab last-minute gifts.
According to Finder, 65% of Brits will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, with millennials the most likely generation to celebrate1.
Falling on a Friday this year, Valentine’s Day can be nothing short of a mid-week headache, trying to work out when it’s best to exfoliate and tan to maximise your glow.
That’s why the experts at the UK’s most loved self tan brand, St. Moriz, have created a specialised, step-by-step schedule.
Melanie Brownlow, founder St. Moriz shares: “The key to achieving your perfect Valentine’s Day tan is to start preparing at the beginning of the week. As Valentine’s Day is on a Friday, the best time to apply your self tan is Thursday morning, if you’re using a tan with a four to eight hour developing time.”
Monday and Tuesday – February 10th & 11th
“During the beginning of the week, I recommend focusing on hydrating your skin and giving any dry areas some extra love. I would also recommend not applying any self tan on these days, and focusing on moisturisers and lotions with vitamin E help to soothe skin.”
Wednesday – February 12th
“This is the ideal day to do all your prep to keep a glowy-looking tan for as long as possible, as it’s often dependent on the preparation you do beforehand. I would always recommend exfoliating and shaving at least 24 hours before you plan on applying your self tan. Then using a primer that uses natural grains will prepare your skin ready for tanning by removing dead skin cells and evening out the skin’s surface to help your tan last for longer.”
“While everyone’s hair needs vary slightly, fresh hair is often achieved by washing the day or two before Valentine’s Day. As you should avoid soaps, shower gels or shampoo when you have tan on, I would recommend completing the treacherous hair wash today!”
Tanning Thursday – February 13th
“Thursday is the best time to apply your self tan if it has a developing time between four and eight hours. If you can work from home, sacrifice a little bit (30 minutes maximum) of sleep and apply your self tan in the morning- this way you can wash it off at lunch time, or the evening. If working from home isn’t an option, you can apply your tan before bed time and wash it off on Friday morning.”
“To get things started, you’ll need to get yourself an applicator mitt or glove, this will help you to achieve a flawless finish and avoid staining the palms of your hands! Pump your chosen self tan onto your mitt and then start to blend well in circular motions on your body and face, if your mousse or foam features a guide colour you’ll be able to see if there’s any areas you’ve missed.
“Areas like your knees, elbows and hands can be some of the trickiest to tan! To avoid streaks, bend your knees and elbows when applying and form a claw shape with your hands, you may feel a bit silly, but it’ll all be worth it when you become actual glow goals. Using a self tan setting spray will also speed up the drying process and lock in transfer free colour.”
“Once you’ve reached your glow goals, simply wash the self tan away after it has developed, avoiding any soaps, shower gels or shampoo and you’re good to go! After your tan is washed away, moisturising two times a day is recommended if possible. The best time to do this is after a shower so that you can lock in any extra moisture and enhance the look of your tan.”
Friday – February 14th
“Today is the day! And lucky for you, the only thing you need to do is keep your skin hydrated! The fewer skin cells that are shed, the longer your tan will last so moisturising your full body after tanning will help prolong your glow. Creamy butters are great for this as they will provide deep moisturisation before your skin can become dry.”
“This is also the perfect time to style your hair, as a few days have passed since it has been washed and the natural oils will have returned to your hair. Its natural shape will also have returned, allowing you to skip the styling step altogether if you prefer!2.”
In the days after Valentine’s Day
Melanie concludes: “When showering in the days following the application of your tan it’s best to avoid using abrasive cleansers, peels or scrubs. This also includes fabrics that will scrub your skin, for example if you use a washcloth opt for a soft one. After showers pat your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing as this can break down your tan.”
