How to do your own tan
Have you considered doing your own tan but not sure where to start? Here is a DIY guide to the perfect show tan using Pro Tan.
You will need:
Tupperware container
Gloves (preferably latex free)
2x tanning mitts
Loose fitting black clothing
Vaseline
Shower cap/hairband/hair net
Applying your base coat
Before applying your base coat, make sure you have nothing on your skin
Grab a black towel and place it on the floor to stand on
Apply a thin layer of vaseline to your finger nails and toe nails to avoid tan stains
Put on your gloves and pour the base coat into a Tupperware container
Dip one of your mitts into the tanning solution. No need to be tentative with how much, it is actually easier to apply with the mitt a bit more saturated. Apply the tan as you would a normal fake tan, using long strokes and making sure it is blended in. We don’t want a streaky tans do we!
Tip - Start from the bottoms of your legs and work upwards so you don’t miss anywhere. Do areas such as your feet, elbows, knees, neck and face just before you need to re-dip the mitt in the solution again. As tan tends to stick better to these areas.
You might need to ask someone to help you get your back. If you are flying solo, you can stick your mitt on the end of a spatula to reach those trickier areas! You can thank me later ;)
Tan your hands right at the end with what is left on the mitt.
Here is a handy video tutorial to help you apply your base coat:
How many base coats do you need?
The number of applications you need will depend on how dark your natural skin tone is, how dark you want to be, and how well your skin absorbs the colour.
Typically bikini/figure/fitness/physique competitors with light to medium skin tones need 2 applications. For bodybuilders, we recommend 3 applications.
More than 2 coats in one day is not recommended and usually will not make you any darker.
When should you apply your base coat?
Your base coat is traditionally applied the night before your competition, with your top coat being applied on show day, on top of the base coat.
Having recently done my own tan, and being someone who needs more than one base coat I would recommend:
2 days before the show: Apply one layer of base coat
1 day out AM: wash the base coat off
1 day out PM: apply another base coat but this time do not wash it off. If applying a 3rd layer wait for this layer to dry before applying another.
show day: apply top coat
My DIY tan for the 2Bros Pro Tan Naturals Cup
Applying your top coat
No need for any tupperwear this time as the top coat comes in a nice easy to use mousse.
Grab a fresh mitt (or turn the original mitt you used inside out) and squeeze the top coat directly onto the mitt before applying. Application follows the same principles as the base coat and again it is much easier to apply if the mitt is well saturated.
For Bikini and Physique competitors we recommend the Pro Tan Competition Top Coat, where as Figure, Wellness, Fitness, Bodybuilding, and Classic we recommend the Pro Tan 3x Super Dark Top Coat.
With the top coat, one application should be enough.
What to take with you backstage
Take your top coat, mitt and some gloves backstage with you, that way if you have any tanning accidents you can tidy them up.
In terms of glaze, take show shine or muscle juice backstage with you. Ask a fellow competitor just to spray you with a few squirts of glaze front and back, ensuring you have a small amount covering all areas before you go on stage. Just be careful where you do this, if it gets on the floor it can be very slippy!
As always, any questions at all please send us an instagram DM @kompakwomen / @kompakmen or via our contact page here.
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