Are you sick of trying every new self tanner under the sun, trying to get that perfect summer glow? Look no further – I found the best one! Sharing all about my summer tanning routine on the blog today!

Happy Monday, friends! It’s finally feeling like summer around here after the 90 degree weather we had over the weekend, and sunny skies means time for tanning! I like to minimize my risk of damage to my skin, though, and ever since I was little I have been one of those people who burns really badly early in the summer and then develops more of a tan later on. I’ve found that in addition to regular sunscreen application, developing a base tan with sunless tanner first helps to prevent this early sunburn from happening! Here is my step-by-step guide to building the best sunless tan base so you are ready for that perfect glow this summer!

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step 1: frequency

It’s all about building up layers with a sunless tanning routine, as the progress is pretty slow and gradual. That means that early on I try to do this routine every 1-3 days, and then later on once I’ve developed a natural tan as well I will use this routine less frequently. Of course in the winter if I want to maintain the sunless tan, I continue to use these products every 1-3 days (generally right after I shower – see below!).

step 2: exfoliate

The first step (and perhaps most important!) is to exfoliate well before I apply any self tanning product. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and reveal the freshest and healthiest skin cells, which are primed and ready for receiving the product! This also helps the tan to last longer. I like to use a loofah and my favorite lavender body soap, and I will also exfoliate my feet and legs with a salt scrub like this one.

step 3: dry

After showering and exfoliating, I make sure my skin is super dry before applying any tanning product. If there is any residual water or dampness, this could affect the application of the tanning products and make for a streaky or blotch finish. No bueno!

step 4: apply!

I have tried a number of sunless tanning products, and by far my favorite one has been the Bondi Sands PURE product line! These products are so easy to apply, hard to mess up, and have real results that look natural. Plus, they are super affordable when you compare the price to some of the other products I’ve tried before! They have several different products in the PURE line, but I primarily use the Bondi Sands PURE Gradual Tanning Lotion and the Bondi Sands PURE Self Tanning Facial Mist. I use this tanning mitt set to apply the lotion, one small dollop at a time. I start with my legs, then move on to my torso, back, and arms before using any leftover product to gently cover my hands and feet. I then finish by using the facial mist on my face. Try not to allow too much product to build up on your knee caps, elbows, or anywhere else where your skin tends to bunch up.

The only complaint I have about the products is with the facial mist: the pump is fairly hard to push down and is not conducive to spraying on your face, so I will actually spray a few pumps onto the smaller tanning mitt and then gently smooth all over my face, being sure not to allow too much to buildup in any creases around my nose or eyes. Don’t forget to add a little to your ears too!

I also love how most skincare products I use contain hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and E, which help with hydration and skin rejuvenation and don’t leave my skin feeling dry after use. And I’m sure the question everyone is wondering is this: does these products stain your sheets or clothes?! I always make sure to let the product fully dry for 10-15 minutes before putting on any clothes, and for at least 1-2 hours before getting into bed. I do find that the product occasionally comes off on our white sheets (eek!) but it washes out easily and I’ve never had any issues with permanent stains.

step 5: moisturize!

Don’t forget to lock in that beautiful tan by keeping your skin moisturized in between tanning applications! I like to use the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream with SPF on my face, and the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil body butter on my skin – it’s suppppper hydrating and smells amazing!

Let me know in the comments below: what are your must-do tanning steps or must-use products?