Beauty Beat: How to prep for the perfect spray tan

Stephanie Darling taps out the best fake tans and tries a special sage cleanse.

Trend

Fake Tan: Prep is essential for fake-tanning, so start with a full-body exfoliation. Work on applying the tan to major body parts first – the limbs, stomach and back – then target feet, ankles, knees, neck and face. Use a tanning mitt to prevent tandoori-ing your palms and create even coverage. Pick your method (see right) and colour up.

How to prep for the perfect spray tan.Credit:Jonas Bresnan / trunkarchive.com

Cult following

This is the complete skincare package with SPF50 sunscreen and a hydrating antioxidant shield to neutralise the havoc pollution wreaks. Apply it as the fi nal step in your morning routine on face, neck and décolletage to keep the environmental nasties at bay. Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Hydrating Shield, $89, davidjones.com.au.

Road test

This week I try ... space cleansing

Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Hydrating Shield, $89. Credit:Jennifer Soo

The lowdown

I have been hopeless about spring cleaning my house this year, so when I found out about space cleansing I jumped at it, because it also aims to clear negative energy. Which is how I found myself primed with a tightly woven bundle of white sage for my very fi rst "smudging" one Sunday morning. Having opened windows and doors, I lit the tip of the stick and wandered through the house wafting the smoke around each room and behind the doors. I also gave myself the once-over, starting with my feet and working upwards to my head. While doing this I chanted all the "intentions" I have been given: "Th is house is full of love and laughter"; "Everyone in this house is happy and healthy"; "This house is full of creative abundance." (Well, here's hoping.)

Pain factor

My arm got a bit tired with all the wafting and there was a small protest from family members about the smell.

Luxe to less: St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower, $40; ModelCo One Hour Tan Mousse, $20; Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Foam, $20.Credit:Jennifer Soo

Downtime

I completed it in about half an hour.

Results

I am a bit of a pyromaniac, so I loved lighting the sage bundle and the chanting process made me feel quite Zen. I am quietly confident about the "creative abundance" coming to fruition.

Where to get it

therockandcoshop. com.au. Cost: $18 for an Australiangrown organic sage stick (small).

Ask Stephanie

Why do my nails feel dry after removing polish with acetone?

Because acetone is a solvent, it may dry out your nails. A quick solution is to use a hand cream such as L'Occitane Almond Delicious Hands, $14, au.loccitane.com after removing your polish. Another option is to moisturise your nails with olive oil before you remove your nail polish.

Send beauty questions to stephanie@darlingbeauty.com.au.

Follow Stephanie Darling on Instagram @mrssdarling

License this article