How to Transform Your Sun-Kissed Summer Skin Into an Autumn Glow
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Ok, so summer’s happened. You’re home from holiday, the kids are back to school and your tan is clinging on for dear life.
But what if I told you that summer doesn’t have to be over just yet? Because there are actually ways to hold onto that holiday glow. And it’s all thanks to both the miracle of fake tan, and some really handy transitional tanning tips and product recommendations from tanning expert, James Harknett.
Here, he tells us how to keep hold of summer skin for a little bit longer and take a natural golden hue with you into autumn.
Maintaining your facial tan one week after your holiday
Your natural tan from holiday will probably last a week or so, but then it’ll start to fade quickly. Harknett suggests focusing on your skin regime first to hold on to your tan for longer.
“Transitioning between summer and autumn means facial skin care is all about restoring the skin’s natural barrier, promoting radiance, locking in moisture and maintaining your glow,” he says. “Manage the transition with ease by moving to slightly more intense formulations without overloading the skin.”
At this point, “forget about scrubbing too much and then trying to overcompensate with heavy creams,” Harknett adds. He suggests using a gentle soap-free cleansing gel, a lightweight radiance-boosting moisturiser and a tanning serum.
“To preserve the tan your skin is still enjoying, whilst treating it to the ultimate skincare treat, Three Warriors Radiant Complexion Serum (£70) ups hydration with its powerful active ingredients.” Harknett says. You can apply it every few nights at the start of the autumn season to maintain a natural-looking tan for as long as possible.
Image – Hannahcriswel/Stocksy
Maintaining your facial tan three+ weeks after your holiday
Harknett now advises using your tanning serum more frequently. “As the season progresses you can up your use to every other evening, or even nightly if you prefer,” he says.
Then even out your skin further during the day with your base. “You can accentuate your complexion with lightweight formulas to capture the best of your skin in natural daylight with Beauty Pie Luminous Mineral Skin Tint (£16.50 member price) which smooths and illuminates and contains a seamless SPF40 sunscreen.”
As far as your skincare regime is concerned skin, Harknett says to keep your complexion smooth and dead skin-free, but be cautious. “Never use grainy exfoliators,” he warns. “Use a gentle washcloth with your cleanser to keep skin buffed.”
And what about tanning with active ingredients? “It is vital to never overload the skin,” he says. “Avoid retinols and acid-based ingredients on the nights you choose to use your facial self-tanner.”
Image – IKvyatkovskaya/Adobe
How to maintain your body tan
Good news! “Your body tan will last longer when you return from your holidays,” Harknett says. “But remember, your body skin should still be cherished even if less of it is on show.”
Noticing a bit of patchy dry skin? “It’s time to make it feel less thirsty by upping hydration levels and restoring its protective barrier,” Harknett explains. After all, keeping the skin supple will hold onto its colour for longer.
“Gently remove dead skin cells with the ultimate in subtle buffers, Three Warriors Exfoliating Tasmanian Sand Scrub (£32).” I can confirm that this scrub is both gentle and effective whilst leaving the skin hydrated thanks to aloe vera and coconut oil.
“To boost your body glow as autumn calls, at first opt for a lightweight formula,” Harknett advises. “Isle Of Paradise Tanning Water (£18.95/$32) is ultra hydrating for the skin whilst extending your own summer tan.”
Then up your formula. “As the season progresses, and your skin tone dials down a notch you can dial up your tan with a more enriched formula,” Harknett says. He suggests a mousse. I love Bare By Vogue Self Tan Foam, which provides an even, radiant colour.
As for showering and bathing whilst maintaining your faux glow, Harknett says to try to avoid taking a bath. “Long, hot baths are a wonderful indulgence, but they can undo your tanning work as well as dehydrating your skin.”
So how do you actually apply a tanning body mousse? “If you are as professional at your tanning as you are at assembling your new season wardrobe, then you will be a perfectionist,” Harknett says.
After applying a little moisturiser on the drier parts of your body (heels, ankles, knees, elbows, knuckles etc), apply some mousse onto a tanning mitt and, “start from toes and go to the top using circular motions. To avoid streaks on the backs of your hands and feet use a gentle brush to buff,” Harknett explains.
“To ensure your hair and eyebrows don’t enjoy your tanning treats, protect them with some gentle barrier cream which you can remove simply with some micellar water and clean cotton buds after application,” he adds.
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The takeaway
As much as we wish our summer tans would stay forever, life just isn’t that perfect. But thankfully a good skincare regime and a bit of self-tan can help to prolong it.
Invest in a tanning serum for a buildable, natural-looking glow all year round and transition your body tanning formulas depending on the status of your natural tan.
And remember to avoid grainy scrubs and active ingredients when tanning as well as long hot baths so that all your hard work doesn’t go to waste!
Meet the expert
James Harknett is a tanning expert and global creative artist for Three Warriors Tan.
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