According to Evans, working in sections is extremely important when it comes to tanning water, as there is no color guide to help you remember where you sprayed the product. “For example, from the knee to the ankle would be one part, then the thigh would be another,” she says. “If you’re not sure if you’ve covered an area, just review the area. It won’t negatively affect growth, as skin can only absorb a certain amount of product in a single application.” She notes that you can never apply too much of a tan, but you can apply too little, and this often leads to streaks and uneven tones.
If you’re applying a tanning lotion to your face, Von Hep recommends misting your skin the same way you would with a facial mist or toner. “For hands and feet, run the glove over those areas and dab lightly using the product left on the glove,” he says. Also, if you don’t have gloves, don’t worry—you can apply it with your hands, just make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, carefully scrubbing between your fingers.
Keep reading for the best self-tanning lotions to try, including picks from Evans and Von Hep.
