Expert Tips for Self-Tanning Hands + Feet
Nothing ruins a flawless, bronzed glow faster than patchy hands or uneven feet. Don’t worry — we’ve all been there. Over the years, our tanning experts have perfected a foolproof routine to help you achieve seamless, natural-looking results on even the trickiest areas.
Step 1: Prep is Key
Perfect skin starts with proper preparation. Exfoliate thoroughly 24 hours before tanning to create a smooth, even base.
To protect your nails from discolouration, apply a clear coat of polish to natural nails beforehand. If you’ve just had a fresh manicure, you can also place masking tape over your nails and fingertips for extra protection.
Step 2: Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise
Hands and feet are naturally drier and can absorb more product, leading to darker results. Show them some extra love by generously applying moisturiser to your hands, wrists, ankles, and feet a few minutes before tanning. This creates a barrier for softer, more natural results.
Step 3: Application
After applying your Loving Tan mousse to your body and face using the Loving Tan Applicator Mitt, switch to the Loving Tan Flawless Blending Brush for your hands and feet.
The brush allows for precise, lightweight application — perfect for detailed areas.
- Stretch your fingers into a claw shape.
- Lightly sweep a small amount of product over your hands.
- Blend carefully around the sides of fingers, knuckles, and wrists.
- Use any leftover product on the brush to lightly sweep over your feet and ankles.
- Take extra care around toes and ankle creases to ensure even coverage.
Remember: less is more. You can always build colour gradually.
Step 4: Perfect the Finish
Using a damp wipe, gently remove excess product from your palms, soles, nails, and cuticles. This step is essential for a natural-looking result once your tan develops.
Step 5: Rinse & Rehydrate
To prevent overdevelopment of the hands and feet, you can rinse these areas slightly earlier than the rest of your body.
For even softer results, apply moisturiser 30–60 minutes after application. Because moisturiser slows development, this technique helps create a more natural, seamless finish.